RESOURCE GENERATION | political resources: organizational

Written Resources | Organizational Resources

Centers for Popular Economics Education
Institutes educating the public about traditional and alternative economics through workshops and literature. Contact: Center for Ethics and Economic Policy, 2512 9th Street #3, Berkeley, CA 94710; 510/549-9931; http://www.ceep.com Center for Popular Economics, Box 785, Amherst, MA 01004; 413/545-0743, popec@econs.umass.edu; http://www.ctrpopec.org United for a Fair Economy, 37 Temple Place, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02111; 617/423-2148; http://www.ufenet.org

Class Action
Our mission is to raise consciousness about the issues of class and money, and their impact on our individual lives, our relationships, organizations, institutions, and culture. Through workshops, consultations, research and writings we aim to heal the hurts of classism, and support the development of cross-class alliance building and to support the movement of resources to where they are most needed. Contact: Class Action, 245 Main St., #207, Northampton, MA 01060, info@classactionnet, 413.585.9709

Class Matters, Betsy Leondar-Wright
For stories and tips on cross-class alliance building, go to www.ClassMatters.org or contact Betsy Leondar-Wright, Communications Director at United for a Fair Economy, creator of the Class Matters website, and author of the forthcoming book Class Matters: Cross-Class Alliance Building for Middle-Class Activists (New Society Publishers, 2005). Contact her at 781-648-0630 or Betsy@ClassMatters.org.

Class Awareness Trainings
Several agencies and trainers do consulting and workshops for individuals, non-profits, universities, government and businesses, to increase their understanding and sensitivity in addressing human relations relating to class. Contact: Women'sTheological Center, P.O. Box 1200, Boston, MA 02117-1200; 617/536-8782 Diversity Works, Inc., P. O. Box 2335, Amherst, MA 01002; 413/256-1868 National Coalition Building Institute, 1120 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 450, Washington, DC 20036; 202/785-9400; http://www.ncbi.org

The Development Gap
Provides analysis and practical alternatives to U.S. and multi-lateral policy makers, the media, and the general public on the effect of foreign aid, trade, and economic policy on the poor in other countries. The group works to close the gap between the reality of local environments and cultures and how those realities are perceived by policy makers. Since 1977, Development Gap has worked with a wide range of grassroots, governmental, and public institutions in some forty countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia. Contact: Development Gap; 202/898-1566; http://www.developmentgap.org

United for a Fair Economy
A national, non-profit focusing public attention and action on growing economic inequality in the United States. United for a Fair Economy has a variety of programs including popular education, research and media work. Over 15,000 people have participated in their workshop, "The Growing Divide: Inequality and the Roots of Economic Insecurity," which connects growing inequality and wealth concentration to the quality of our daily lives. Responsible Wealth, a project of UFE, provides an organized voice for wealthy people to speak out against growing inequality. Share the Wealth, the action arm of UFE, engages in legislative action, arts and cultural work, and direct action. They publish a quarterly newsletter, "Too Much." Contact: United for a Fair Economy, 37 Temple Place, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02111; 617/423-2148; info@ufenet.org; http://www.ufenet.org

Other Political Resources
Any of the foundations listed in the Giving section can give you a great deal of information on the kinds of organizations that interest you. They are connected to many groups as funders and as colleagues. Reading the annual reports of these foundations should give you plenty of places to turn for engagement in social and political movements and action.

The following groups focus on community and political involvement for people in their twenties.

Activism 2000 Project
P.O. Box E 3909 Prospect St. Kensington, MD 20895 301/929-8808; 800/KIDPOWER info@youthactivism.com http://youthactivism.com A democracy dropout reversal clearinghouse encouraging youth participation.

Campus Outreach Opportunity League
1531 P St., NW, Suite LL Washington, DC 20005 202/265-1200 homeoffice@cool2serve.org http://www.cool2serve.org COOL is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to the education and empowerment of college students to strengthen our nation through community service.

Do Something
423 West 55th St., 8th Floor New York , NY 10019 212/523-1175 http://www.dosomething.org Their mission is to inspire young people to believe that change is possible, and train, fund and mobilize them to be leaders who measurably strengthen their communities.