Model and Strategy
The National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA) is the nation’s leading voice for dignity and fairness for the 2.5 million domestic workers and home care workers in the United States. As COVID’s effects continue to reverberate across the US, NDWA is working to address the pandemic’s impact on the nannies, house cleaners, and caregivers on the frontlines for the crisis, while simultaneously using this moment as a catalyst for long overdue structural change and an economy that truly values and centers care. With support from Battery Powered members, we will:
(1) Deepen and adapt our grassroots organizing of domestic workers around the country by scaling digital tools and training available to local affiliates and chapters, piloting new tools and benefits for our workforce, and creating timely opportunities for the thousands of workers newly connected with NDWA because of the pandemic to join in our campaigns.
(2) Deliver policy wins that protect and invest in domestic workers and provide structural solutions for a failing safety net and a broken care infrastructure.
(3) Center domestic worker stories and leadership to upend deeply-rooted cultural narratives that keep their work invisibilized and undervalued.
Impact
NDWA will deepen our organizing and activate the thousands of new workers entering the domestic worker movement:
- 281,000+ workers have access to ongoing trainings and resources, including: weekly webinars with critical, curated information for domestic workers; CareTogether, our emotional support texting line; and our COVID-19 worker resource hub;
- 70+ local affiliate organizations and chapters have access to regrants and capacity building, including around advocacy campaigns and digital organizing
- 10+ creative actions in collaboration with affiliates, chapters, and external partners
- Coordination of rapid response campaigns as needs emerge
We will see an increase in evidence-based legislation and/or regulations that (1) ensure domestic workers have what they need to navigate the current crises and (2) advance long-term progressive policy solutions for low-wage workers:
- 281,000+ domestic worker members mobilized through ongoing online activities and phone banking
- 4+ new regulations/policies at the local, state, and federal level that benefit domestic workers and pave the way for a more inclusive economy
- Successful new models for portable benefits and sectoral bargaining can be replicated for other workforces
We will create a distinct change in the narrative around the value and dignity of domestic work through a shift in the public’s awareness, attitudes, and beliefs:
- 35+ domestic workers trained on storytelling to serve as media spokespeople, write stories, and submit targeted op-eds
- Media centers the experiences of workers as they navigate the ongoing pandemic and economic crises
- Production and distribution of 8+ videos that showcase domestic workers full humanity
- 6+ social media campaigns, including collaborations with influencers to amplify our message"
Leadership
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Ai-jen Poo
Director