NDWA NEWSLETTER | MARCH 2024
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Care Recognition Month: Join Our Kick-off Call

April is Care Workers Recognition Month, a time to honor the dedication, compassion, and vital role of caregivers in nurturing our communities.

Join us on March 28th for our Care Workers Recognition Month Kick-off Call [[link removed]] . This is your chance to dive into the current care landscape and discover our strategies for improving the care system for caregivers and care recipients alike. Together, we will uplift caregivers, demand better conditions and pay, advocate for improved access to care, and empower individuals to thrive in their communities.

RSVP TODAY › [[link removed]]

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Honoring Mercedes Reyes

Honoring Mercedes Reyes [[link removed]]
Mercedes Reyes, one of our member leaders in Philadelphia [[link removed]] , has been recognized with a unanimous resolution from the Philadelphia City Council. This resolution celebrates her retirement after an astounding 73 years of service as a domestic worker and her exceptional organizing efforts for our movement.

The resolution highlighted Mercedes' tireless dedication and the importance of her advocacy in our ongoing anti-retaliation campaign.
Mercedes' journey began as a domestic worker in El Salvador at just 11 years old, fleeing the Salvadoran Civil War to eventually retire in Philadelphia at the age of 84.

Despite facing egregious labor violations, including being paid less than $2 an hour for 14 years and enduring discriminatory practices, Mercedes remained committed to fighting for workers' rights.

Mercedes played a pivotal role in passing the Philadelphia Domestic Workers Bill of Rights [[link removed]] and has rallied countless domestic workers in her community.

This recognition is a testament to Mercedes' dedication. Let's celebrate her remarkable achievements and continue to stand together in solidarity.

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Sample Employment Agreements Available Now

These agreements can serve as invaluable tools for fostering open communication and professionalism between domestic workers and employers.

Take a moment to download and share these sample agreements [[link removed]] and help ensure domestic workers get the recognition and respect they deserve.

DOWNLOAD › [[link removed]]

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Urgent Action Needed: Protect the Child Tax Credit Expansion

The Child Tax Credit expansion, a vital lifeline for countless families, is facing threats in the Senate. Amendments proposed could significantly diminish its impact, jeopardizing support for hundreds of thousands of children.

As it stands, the bill passed the House of Representatives with overwhelming support. However, momentum is being stalled in the Senate due to harmful amendments.

One of the proposed amendments would particularly harm families by cutting their child tax credit if they earned less in the current year. This elimination of the "lookback" provision could create significant hardship for low-paid workers, including many domestic workers, whose earnings are often beyond their control.

Write to your Senators today and demand they reject these harmful amendments and pass the Child Tax Credit expansion in its current form without delay [[link removed]] . Families need this support now more than ever.

TAKE ACTION › [[link removed]]

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Fighting for Home Care Workers: Updates from Our DMV Chapter

On Tuesday, March 5, domestic worker members of our DMV Chapter [[link removed]] teamed up with the Caring Across Maryland coalition for a special day at the Maryland House of Delegates to push for laws that protect home care workers in their state.

During their day day at the House of Delegates, worker leaders and other allies talked about two important bills: the Home Care Worker Rights Act of 2024 (HB 39/SB 197), legislation designed to make sure home care workers get treated fairly, and the Home Care Workers Employment Act of 2024 (HB 189/SB 371), legislation to help figure out
how to pay home care workers better.

During the day, they met with delegates to explain why these laws are so important. They also gave out carnations as a way of saying thank you to the delegates and showing how much home care workers mean to our communities.

LEARN MORE › [[link removed]]

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Gearing Up for Fall Elections

Primary elections are winding down, but Election Season is just heating up. Now is the perfect time to mark your calendars with important dates for the upcoming fall elections.

But that's not all — it's also the perfect time to encourage family members and friends, including young people who will turn 18 before the election, to register to vote [[link removed]] . Every voice matters, and ensuring everyone is registered and ready to cast their ballot is key to shaping the future we want to see.

Stay tuned for updates on registration deadlines, early voting dates, and other essential information. Let's make sure our voices are heard loud and clear this fall.

VISIT VOTER HUB › [[link removed]]

National Domestic Workers Alliance does not endorse, support or oppose candidates for public office.

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This Month in Domestic Worker History

In the 1930s, during the Great Depression, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) embarked on a project to document the stories of those who had been enslaved and their descendants. Among these narratives are the accounts of three sisters from Athens, Georgia, who worked tirelessly as domestic workers well into their old age [[link removed]] .

Their stories, though filled with hardship and discrimination, also highlight their resilience, creativity, and solidarity. Despite facing racism and exploitation, these sisters found ways to support each other and build a better future.

Visit our interactive timeline to learn more about the Three Sisters and other unsung heroes of our movement [[link removed]] .

LEARN MORE › [[link removed]]

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