Just Economics of Western North Carolina
Community Education & Leadership Development
Just Economics is also dedicated to educating students, people of faith, policy-makers, business owners, and the general community about issues facing the working poor in our region, and proactive solutions to building a just and sustainable economy.
Our staff and volunteers lead workshops for churches and community groups on income inequality, economic trends in our region, and grassroots organizing.
Voices Welcomes New Leaders!
Just Economics’ third Voices program is now in full swing. Twelve worker leaders are participating in the program, which is taking place at the YWCA, Tuesdays from 6-8:30pm, through August 31st. The Voices workshops are co-facilitated by Tyrone Greenlee and Lucia Daugherty, who each have years of experience working with Just Economics and Voices. Other guest facilitators from organizations such as Jobs with Justice, NC Housing Coalition, Health Partners, RESULTS and Center for Participatory Change will each speak to different economic and community-organizing topics over the course of the workshop series.
Just Economics would like to thank the Living Wage Certified employers and Voices partners who are generously supporting Voices this year:
All Souls
Colorful Palate
Circle of Mercy
Fired Up Creative Lounge
First Congregational
Jubilee
YWCA
Follow the Voices program by watching our slide show, updated weekly. If you are interested in volunteering with the Voices program, visiting a Voices class or making a donation, please contact Sophia: 505 7466, sophiahatz@justeconomicswnc.org
Voices for Economic Justice is our leadership development program for low-wage workers. Its primary objectives are:
1. Education: Voices participants deepen their understanding of current economic conditions and develop skills related to community organizing through popular education workshops led by various experienced facilitators.
2. Community: Voices builds community support by bringing low-wage workers from diverse backgrounds together around a shared experience. The Voices program also strengthens the relationship between low-wage workers and Just Economics through membership and creating avenues for future long-term involvement.
3. Action: Voices participants take the lead in the movement for social and economic justice by engaging in projects that mobilize their voices in community education and organizing activities.
Just Economics has completed two classes of Voices in the past years–training over 30 low-wage worker leaders in three languages from seven countries. Our tri-lingual English-Spanish-Russian model of leadership development is breaking new ground in Western North Carolina. Through Voices, we are bringing together workers across the barriers that often separate us–language, ethnicity, gender, race, and geography–to work collaboratively for economic justice.
Poverty Simulation
Just Economics’ new Working Poor Simulation is an experiential learning tool that exposes participants to the real life struggles of the working poor in our community. Participants are assigned identities based on real low-income people and must complete the everyday activities of their families, like going to work, paying bills, applying for public benefits, etc. The simulation involves moving between stations, which represent the institutions and businesses individuals typically interact with each month. The simulation includes 3 month-long periods, and is followed by a reflection.
The Working Poor Simulation is a great educational experience for students, people of faith, and other community groups. If you are interested in Just Economics leading a simulation for your group, contact 828-301-7291 or info@justeconomicswnc.org.