I first became acquainted with POWER through a Martin Luther King Jr. Day Rally that i attended in 2010. I came back in 2011 as a college intern. I wanted to intern at POWER because POWER was addressing a lot of issues that were occurring in my life and the lives of the people around me. I was then raising my 3 kids (2 have since grown and moved out), going to college, participating in a DSHS Community Jobs Program and needed to find an internship as a class requirement. After my internship, I ended up staying at POWER, forming friendships with people. Also, POWER is a comfortable place to bring my child, kids can be kids, and childcare is also provided during meetings, there's a childcare room, but if my kid wants to come and be with me that's okay too. During my time involved with POWER I have participated in community organizing, community outreach, begun to learn to write grants, attended conferences, talked to my lawmakers, learned to organize and work with organizations with similar core values. I have sold honey, herbs, done and sold art, and so had my child who is 13 and has made, displayed, and sold his art at POWER as part of a Market where vendors, mostly low income people, many disabled, can make a living with their talents and are supported at a great downtown space. 10 yrs later since first coming to POWER, I am still a low income mama, grandma, and auntie and provide kinship care for my precious 4 yr old niece who is also now part of the POWER family. I have learned job skills at POWER and am employed part-time through a mentor I met through the Alchemilla Feminist Economic Collaborative. I have I have been a Board Member for 3 yrs now. The Board is made up of majority poor people and the work we do affects our lives and the lives of our loves ones and community.
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- EIN 39-2070376
- info@mamapower.org
- 309 5th Ave Se Olympia WA 98501 USA
- http://www.mamapower.org
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Children & Youth, Crime & Law, Human Services, Public Interest Law, Single Parent Agencies
Mission: POWER is an organization of low-income parents and allies advocating for a strong social safety net while working toward a world where children and care giving are truly valued, and the devastation of poverty has been eradicated.
Results: While we have sadly only seen poverty increase, especially for single parents and caregivers, we have been able to empower individuals in our community to advocate for themselves and others living in poverty. We have seen policy improvements on a statewide level and testified in hearings in Congress. We have created a group of low income people who share information and support around creating livelihoods that work for their families.
Target demographics: poor families know their rights, challenge the myths and stereotypes surrounding poverty and to increase our members' incomes
Direct beneficiaries per year: 1,430 people with information about their rights, local events and job openings, skill building opportunities and more.
Geographic areas served: Olympia, the capitol city of Washington state,
Programs: a legal information welfare rights hotline, educational workshops and skill building around building your own business.