6 Organizations Working Toward A More Equitable Society
Even after decades of social progress, we continue to live in a deeply stratified and unequal society marked by discrimination, labor exploitation, and other systems of oppression. Thankfully, myriad groups are responding to these structural problems with direct action. The organizations included here, located throughout North America, work to ensure a more just and egalitarian future for everyone. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
6 Groups Fighting For Equality and Justice
| Organization | Main Location | Mission |
|---|---|---|
| The Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity | Boston, Massachusetts | Provide students with a strong academic foundation rich in cultural, educational, ethnic, socioeconomic, and racial diversity, fostering the opportunity for children from Boston and from neighboring suburbs to develop a deeper understanding of each other in an integrated public school setting |
| YWCA Banff | Banff, Alberta, Canada | Shape a safe, inclusive community that empowers women and girls |
| Rapid Results Institute | Stamford, Connecticut | Unleash the power of front-line teams to create transformative impact on a variety of complex societal issues |
| Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid | Throughout the eponymous region | Provide access to the legal system for Minnesota's most vulnerable citizens, defending their basic rights for safety, shelter, food, health care, and education |
| Social Planning Council of Winnipeg | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada | Provide leadership that addresses inequity and improves social conditions through research, engagement, and action |
| Higher Ground Labs | Chicago, Illinois | Bridge technology and politics by supporting start-ups that build products to help progressives win |
The History of METCO
5 Law Firms Fighting for Civil Justice
| Name | Specialty |
|---|---|
| The Law Office of Lainey Feingold | Represents disabled people, especially the blind and visually impaired community on issues related to technology and information access |
| Lubin & Meyer | One of Boston's top personal injury law firms, handling every type of medical malpractice lawsuit and negligence claim |
| Baron & Budd | Takes on social threats such as water contamination, unsafe pharmaceutical drugs and devices, trucking accidents, financial industry fraud, and automobile recalls |
| Stueve Siegel Hanson | Provides aggressive, cutting-edge representation in litigation, serving companies in business disputes as well as individuals harmed by dangerous products, unfair employers, or unsavory business practices |
| Ward & Ward Law Firm | Represents clients in cases involving personal injury, wrongful death, and auto accidents |
5 Ways You Can Help Those In Need
- Support organizations like the ones listed above
- Stay informed on issues that affect vulnerable populations
- Call your Congressperson and let them know where you stand
- Donate items like clothes and shelf-stable food to a local organization
- Volunteer at a local shelter or soup kitchen
Introducing the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg
In Depth
Despite growing acceptance of the importance of human rights and equality, glaring disparities of prosperity and well-being persist even in some of the world's wealthiest nations. Seeking to correct these injustices, progressive organizations of all kinds call for reform and provide services for those in need. In no particular order, here are some committed groups promoting social justice.
Opening our list at #1 is the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity, Inc., which promotes diversity within the Massachusetts education system. Originally formed during the 1960s struggle over school integration, METCO provides transportation to enable Boston students of color to attend schools in suburban partner districts, letting children from different backgrounds learn side-by-side.
METCO shares resources making the case for school integration, and discussing the history of the fight for equity in education. The group organizes gatherings like the Living the Legacy of METCO Conference, a professional development opportunity for teachers and partners, as well as artistic performance events examining race and learning. The organization also engages in advocacy efforts, calling for the state to continue supporting student body diversity.
METCO shares resources making the case for school integration, and discussing the history of the fight for equity in education.
Up next at #2 is the YWCA of Banff in Alberta, Canada, dedicated to ending gender-based violence and empowering women and girls. The organization has a long history of offering housing for domestic abuse survivors; it also provides educational programs like the Power of Being A Girl conferences, hosting discussions on communication and self-expression, and the Bystander Intervention training on preventing harassment.
YWCA also offers violence prevention training for men and boys, and organizes programs like the annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event, for fundraising by male allies. Other services include the Bow Valley Harmony Project, a partnership to end assault and harassment, and the Women's Circle for connection and self-care. The group conducts advocacy events such as the Awareness to Action Luncheon against domestic violence.
#3 in our overview is the Rapid Results Institute, which provides coaching for front-line groups engaged in social change efforts, using a unique method designed to achieve highly ambitious goals in short time frames. The Institute's 100-Day Challenges assist organizations in setting far-reaching targets, and building the energy needed to reach them quickly.
The Institute's 100-Day Challenges assist organizations in setting far-reaching targets, and building the energy needed to reach them quickly.
The projects RRI has assisted range from HIV and AIDS education in Eritrea, to initiatives to end homelessness in the USA. The Institute has extensive experience with projects to build government capacity for social services, with long-term efforts like criminal justice reform in Mexico, and Government Accelerators building a framework for innovation in the United Arab Emirates. RRI provides an online network facilitating collaboration by participating groups.
At #4 we have Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, offering a variety of legal services to those with limited income, disabilities, or challenges with English. The group helps with issues such as housing discrimination, immigration proceedings, and tax law, helping members of marginalized groups understand and access their rights. Clients receive free assistance with challenges such as obtaining protective orders against abusers, or correcting documentation problems.
MMLA shares information about the legal protections available to those who are struggling, through educational speaking events as well as online outreach. The organization also advocates for policies to ease burdens on individuals facing hardship, such as reinstating housing vouchers for domestic violence survivors, or preventing punitive measures against students for parents' unpaid lunch debts. MMLA welcomes volunteers with legal training to help carry out its mission.
MMLA welcomes volunteers with legal training to help carry out its mission.
Coming in at #5 is the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg, which promotes reforms in support of equality within Manitoba's capital. SPCW conducts research documenting the prevalence of poverty and discrimination, with programs such as the Street Census assessing the demographics of homelessness, and the Building a Community Asset report on affordable housing. The group also shares information resources like the Manitoba Collaborative Data Portal.
Along with its research reports, SPCW conducts outreach and advocacy to call for change. The group employs direct action to highlight issues from child hunger to lack of affordable housing, and provides policy resources for voters. SPCW also participates in community coalitions such as Make Poverty History Manitoba, and Immigration Partnership Winnipeg.
Capping off our list at #6 is Higher Ground Labs, a resource supporting the development of technological tools for progressive political engagement. The company provides investment, training, and collaboration for enterprises like Predictwise, a platform for targeting specific audiences for outreach, or Warchest, a budgeting program tailored for political campaigns.
The company provides investment, training, and collaboration for enterprises like Predictwise, a platform for targeting specific audiences for outreach, or Warchest, a budgeting program tailored for political campaigns.
HGL's accelerator program assists progressive tech companies in refining their business strategies, through intensive coaching and presentations from experienced campaign professionals. The company provides research fellowships for entrepreneurs seeking to investigate specific challenges in electoral politics. HGL also shares strategic insights about effective voter outreach in the modern digital landscape.
