Domestic Workers United (DWU) held a Week of Action from April 27 to May 1 to pass the Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights. Poverty Initiative members stood in solidarity with DWU. Read their reflections and learn what you can do to support the rights of domestic workers! Sign on letters and congregational resources available.

On Saturday, April 18, 2009, the United Workers (UW) and their supporters marched through Downtown Baltimore to the Inner Harbor where UW announced the first target of a new Human Rights Zone campaign.  The day's events started in Carroll Park with the B-More Fair - a collaborative celebration consisting of an array of Baltimore organizations from labor to faith-based groups.  The march route ended at the Inner Harbor - an area that has been developed as a tourist destination featuring numerous restaurant and bar chains and entertainment venues.  At the Inner Harbor, UW announced Phillips Seafood restaurant as the first target within the Human Rights Zone. Learn more about United Workers' investigation of Phillips at the United Workers website.

FUREE (Families United for Racial and Economic Equality) hosted a screening of their film "Someplace Like Home"  at Union Theological Seminary.  FUREE organizer Theo Moore joined. This event was co-sponsored by Union's Black Women's Caucus & Students for Peace and Justice.

On March 21st, 2009, grassroots individuals and groups told the truth about poverty. Moving testimonies from Scotland's First Truth Commission are now available on video. Paul Chapman, founding member of the Poverty Initiative, was a lead organizer of this event, modeled after Poverty Initiative Truth Commissions. David Lunan, Moderator of the Church of Scotland hosted.

Renowned poet, Union Alum and 2008 Unitas Award recipient, Susan Deborah King participated in the March Poverty Scholars Program Strategic Dialogue.  Read her reflection and new poem.

March 26th - 27th, 2009
More than seventy leaders gathered at Union Theological Seminary for the third (and final) Poverty Scholars Program Strategic Dialogue. The highlight of the weekend was the commitment of the assembled leaders to this growing process – leaders from California, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Maryland, Minnesota, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Check out the photos!

Poverty Initiative representatives John and Myles Wessel-McCoy attended the March 19th Picture The Homeless action in East Harlem, NY. Not only was this the first street action for the Poverty Initiative's youngest member, the planned building takeover drew the support of over one hundred protesters.  Supporters included Right to the City and Reverend Billy of the Church of Stop Shopping.  For more info on this successful event and more check out the Picture The Homeless Blog.

Lent 2009:Journey to Riches Untold
March 19: Mary Ellen Kris and Kym McNair present at Scarsdale Community Baptist Church as part of the Family Lenten Program. They will address how, through faith and limited resources, they are making a difference in others lives of and experiencing riches untold in their own lives and in the lives of those to whom they minister.

On February 10, Poverty Initiative members traveled to Albany to support the Domestic Wokers United Bill of Rights Campaign and met with key legislators with other supporters to ask them to support the proposed bill of rights legislation.