At Groundwork, we know community organizers nationwide are under-resourced, and we’re doing our part to change that. Organizers are central to securing long-term change and building political power in their communities and states. Their impact is immeasurable. But too often, they don’t get the funding and support they need to do their work year-round.
That’s why we piloted the brand new Keep Paying Your Organizer Fund in Massachusetts last year — the first of its kind — to help civic organizations in historically disenfranchised areas of our state retain their organizers beyond election season. I want to invite you to meet a couple of them below.
If you haven’t already, make sure you are following Groundwork on Instagram to keep up with our organizers, partners, and grantees year-round!
Aspen
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Aspen Christian (they/them)
Digital Director
Groundwork Project
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How and where did you get your start in organizing?
In 2005, I joined a team of other individuals in an attempt to build a union to help advocate for daycare provider rights. To do this, I would knock door-to-door and build connections with the providers. Together, we were able to come in union and advocate for respect, dignity, and more benefits. I have been a Family Child Care Educator for sixteen years and I have had the pleasure of gaining the trust of my union and have represented them in the union as the Chapter President for the last eight years. Here I have had the opportunity to continue to build relationships by knocking on doors and having quarterly meetings with the providers. Organizing has paid off. We have been able to increase salaries, PTO, training funds, monthly grants to help cover daycare costs, and vision/dental funds. Organizing only began here, but this was not the end. I am still the chapter president, a Councilwoman, and the neighborhood organizer in Lawrence Community Works. Organizing is a passion of mine that has proven to show change in my community and work life and so I will continue to be passionate about it and advocate for change!
What is your proudest organizing moment?
My proudest organizing moment was being able to win our first Family Child Care contract in 2014 for Family Child Care educators. As mentioned, I had been knocking on doors since 2005 and this helped show that persistence and commitment was key in accomplishing our goal!
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⚡ Celina’s Lightning Round ⚡
⁂ Your ultimate hero ⁂
My grandfather because he would always tell me the sky was the limit.
⁂ The self-care practice you can’t do this work without ⁂
Doing my nails and having a nice fragrance scent!
⁂ Favorite podcast or book at the moment ⁂
A Promised Land by Barack Obama
⁂ Song you’re playing on repeat ⁂
“I Will Always Love You”
⁂ Your hopes and dreams for 2023 ⁂
To see better opportunities for our youth especially with the cost of a college education. Also, continuing to strengthen and develop my program to its best ability.
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What are you most excited about with your continued organizing efforts?
The opportunity to have the time to continue working on what I started working on in the summer when I became an organizer. I feel the work to be done is ongoing and this opportunity will allow this continuum.
Why is the most important advice you would give to young organizers, based on your experience?
Be sure of your purpose and know that you do not have to do it or know it all. Organizing is also exploring and discovering your and the other people's strengths. We all have our own strengths and skills. Those are the ones to utilize as an organizer. Remember the most important aspect of organizing is developing relationships and connecting with others. That is where the power will come from.
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⚡ María José’s Lightning Round ⚡
⁂ Your ultimate hero ⁂
Mother Teresa
⁂ The self-care practice you can’t do this work without ⁂
Walking
⁂ Favorite podcast or book at the moment ⁂
When Faith Meets Therapy by Anthony Evans and Stacy Kaiser
⁂ Song you’re playing on repeat ⁂
“Heroe”
⁂ Your hopes and dreams for 2023 ⁂
Immigration reform to provide a pathway to citizenship for all
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