May 2011 eNewsletter
In this issue: download our resource "Growing from Groundwork: Stories & Tools from Reproductive Justice Movement"; stories from our Groundwork groups; our Street Roots column about CAUSA; the Center's 2010 Progress Report!
Dear Friend,
This month we’re excited to introduce our latest resource, Growing from Groundwork: Stories & Tools from the Reproductive Justice Movement. This tool is the product of our Groundwork cohort. It’s a must read publication for any group considering doing community surveying and research! The Center has just kicked off a regular column on Uniting Communities in Street Roots, a grassroots newspaper in Portland. Also check out our 2010 Progress Report and registration is open for CSTI!
In solidarity,
Kelley Weigel
Executive Director
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Growing from Groundwork
We recently wrapped up our Groundwork cohort with nine organizations. The goal of Groundwork was to help these groups identify and organize on the reproductive justice polices that most affect their communities.
A challenge that these groups faced was the relative lack of data and appropriate assessment tools around issues of reproductive justice. Growing from Groundwork: Stories & Tools from the Reproductive Justice Movement, shares the survey tools developed by five groups in Groundwork and features case studies of how they conducted the surveys in their community.
Read more and download the tool...
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Uniting Communities Highlight: CAUSA
This month, we featured CAUSA in a regular Uniting Communities column in Street Roots.
Almost a decade ago, Christian Baeff arrived in Oregon unable to speak the most basic English. He was 21 years old, struggling to stay in college and to find work in his native Buenos Aires, Argentina. His mother had an even tougher time finding a job. Together, they borrowed money from a family friend for plane tickets and ended up in Salem, Oregon.
It wasn’t easy settling into a new home in a new country. And for Christian, he struggled with his sexual identity on top of all the stresses that comes with building a new life in a foreign place. Read on...
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Check Out The Center's 2010 Progress
In 2010, Western States Center launched new projects and published many tools and resources. It was a very good year and we are proud to report our accomplishments.
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Register Now for CSTI 2011
The Center's Community Strategic Training Initiative (CSTI), is a one-of-a-kind training and networking event for social justice leaders, organizers, staff and volunteers in the West. Register today!
Join us for over 30 incredible workshops, facilitated discussions and networking events on issues you're facing in your daily organizing work.
Registration closes June 24. Sign up now!
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Picture of the Month
Kelley Weigel with Ruby Lee, of Northwest Area Foundation, and Daranee Petsod, Director of Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees Regional conference at the kick off reception.




