View this email in your browser ([link removed])
[link removed]

Dear friend,

This spring, the Kairos team has been on the move—traveling from New York to Pennsylvania, and soon to Georgia, Massachusetts, Illinois and more. At every stop, we’re connecting with powerful grassroots leaders who are transforming mutual aid projects into a network of programs by the poor for the poor—turning everyday survival into a foundation for lasting political power.

From food and health care to dignity and justice, communities aren’t just responding to crisis—they’re organizing for the future we all deserve. As we bring these lessons to Georgia (May 23-25), Massachusetts (May 29–30), and Illinois (June 12–14), we invite you to journey with us. You can also join us before we hit the road again on May 22 (virtually) to hear stories, exchange strategy, and get organized together.

In This Issue:

✊ Reflections from our Pennsylvania Tour

📅 Upcoming events & actions

✨ Save the date! We’re coming to Illinois!

🚨 New! You Only Get What You’re Organized To Take Song Sheet.

🙏 Freedom Church of the Poor’s current season
📰 Latest in news & media

You only get what you’re organized to take,

The Kairos Center


** From Mutual Aid to Movement: Stories from Our Pennsylvania Tour
------------------------------------------------------------

On our recent organizing tour through Pennsylvania, we met with powerful leaders and grassroots organizations turning survival into a strategy—and building a movement of the poor.
[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]

In Upper Darby, we gathered with MILPA (Movement of Immigrant Leaders in PA) and Murphy’s Giving Market. Together, they’re meeting urgent needs with food, diapers, clothing—and a deep commitment to justice. As Eva from MILPA told us, “We may be different organizations wearing different t-shirts, but we’re united by the same struggle.”

In Harrisburg, Christ Lutheran Church—once down to just seven members—chose not to close its doors, but to open them wider. By listening to its community, the church launched a free health clinic in partnership with Penn State Hospital. Nearly 25 years later, it has served well over 100,000 people, offering compassionate care without cost or paperwork. As Min. Matt put it, “This is resurrection.”

In Lancaster County, we connected with leaders from Put People First–PA and visited Lancaster County Chooses Love, a queer- and trans-led mutual aid project. By offering food, clothing, and community twice a week, LCCL is showing what resistance looks like when rooted in care and joy.

Across the state, we witnessed people not only meeting basic needs—but building lasting power. From backyard food pantries to community health ministries, Pennsylvanians are organizing for dignity, justice, and a future we all deserve.
Are you a part of survival organizing? Fill out our Survival Survey! ([link removed])
Check out the latest report from our Policy & Research Team! ([link removed])
[link removed]


** Thursday, May 15th, 8pm ET: Nationwide Rise for Freedom Training Series
------------------------------------------------------------
[link removed]

We’re excited to share that Shailly Gupta Barnes, our Director of Policy & Research, will be a keynote speaker at the Rise for Freedom Training Series this Thursday! She will share on using mutual aid and projects of survival for noncooperation and power-building.
Register for tonight’s training with Shailly Gupta Barnes ([link removed])


** Thursday, May 22nd, 7pm ET: Virtual Book Tour Stop with Barnard Center for Research on Women
------------------------------------------------------------
[link removed]

Haven’t been able to make it to one of our in-person book tour stops? We have you covered! This virtual event is open to all. Guest speakers include: Ciara Taylor, Aaron Scott, Noam Sandweiss-Back, and Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis
RSVP ([link removed])


** Thursday, May 29th, 7pm ET: Luke 10 Congregations Information Session
------------------------------------------------------------

Earlier this year, Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) and the Kairos Center launched Luke 10 Congregations: Equipping Churches to Do Justice. We’re excited to announce applications are now open for the next round, beginning in September!
Join the Information Session! ([link removed])
Apply for Luke 10 Congregations ([link removed])


** May 23-30: The Kairos Center is traveling to Georgia & Massachusetts!
------------------------------------------------------------
[link removed]

Photo by Will Pew

Rev. Liz Theoharis, Noam Sandweiss-Back, and the Kairos team are hitting the road next week, traveling to Georgia and Massachusetts. Each stop will bring together local leaders and communities working to end poverty and strengthen the movement for long-term change.
View Upcoming Tour Stops ([link removed])
New! The You Only Get What You’re Organized To Take Song Sheet ([link removed])


** June 12-14: The Kairos Center is coming to Illinois!
------------------------------------------------------------

Mark your calendars for June 12–14 as we hit the road with stops in Springfield and Chicago. We’ll be connecting with local leaders, lifting up powerful grassroots struggles, and building toward a movement to end poverty.

✨ Stay tuned—details coming soon! ✨


** Freedom Church of the Poor: Gather with Us every Sunday & Wednesday
------------------------------------------------------------
[link removed]

In the days after Easter the early Jesus community (followers of the way) were scattered and under constant threat from the violence and oppression of empire. They were also liberated. Liberated by the truth of what they were up against - a dehumanizing system of domination that hoarded wealth and sought to control God for their individual interests. And liberated by the vision of a God that left no one out, that promised abundant life for all. In this season of Days of Liberation we continue the fight to realize that world. We invite you to gather with your movement family for spiritual and political community every Sunday at 6pm and again on Wednesdays at 6pm for Biblical/textual reflection.
Learn more about Freedom Church of the Poor ([link removed])
[link removed]


** Ms. Magazine: ‘You Only Get What You’re Organized to Take’: On Sustaining Social Change From the Bottom Up
------------------------------------------------------------

Drawing on decades of frontline activism, Liz Theoharis and Noam Sandweiss-Back challenge poverty myths, uplift grassroots resistance and call for a bold reimagining of human rights in the U.S.
Read More ([link removed])

[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]
Support Our Work ([link removed])
[link removed]

Kairos Center is fiscally sponsored by Tides Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your gift may be tax deductible pursuant to §170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. Please visit www.tides.org/state-nonprofit-disclosures ([link removed]) for additional information.

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences ([link removed]) or unsubscribe ([link removed])