Hello MCDW members, partners, and supporters,
We hope that all of you are in good health at this time of so much uncertainty and loss. We are grieving after the unjust murders of George Floyd, Tony McDade, Breonna Taylor and countless others. We know that our liberation is bound with the liberation of all marginalized communities. We believe, as we always have, that Black Lives Matter, and we want to reaffirm our support and love for the Black community during these difficult times.
In the midst of so much chaos, we celebrate the resiliency of Domestic Workers. COVID-19 has rendered them essential workers, something we have always known. The pandemic has laid bare the structural injustices that impact workers in this country. Domestic workers are in the crux of many of these injustices and those that are undocumented are even more vulnerable. They are not eligible for the stimulus packages that have been approved by the federal government. Yet, it is all the other Domestic Workers that have risen to the occasion, and they have been taking care of their own. MCDW's Steering Committee member organizations have been providing much needed resources to their own members. MCDW's four Worker Leaders have also been a part of food drives and have provided protection equipment for at least 1000 workers, and have helped more than 650 workers and their families.
Domestic Workers are showing us that it is how we show up at this moment of crisis that will determine what kind of society we would want to be once this crisis is over. MCDW's member organizations are also showing us that it is important to be present with one's community in moments of national crisis, as they will remember that they were not left to fend for themselves during this time.
MCDW's staff have been supporting all the above efforts, but we could not do this alone. WE are grateful to the following funders for supporting our working during COVID-19 and beyond:
- The Lenny Zakim Fund
- The Boston Women's Fund
- The Boston Foundation Open Door grant
- The Episcopal City Mission
- The City of Boston through the Mayor's Resiliency Fund
- The Grass Root Fund
- Resist
- New England Environment Fund
We are excited about our Workers Leadership Development Program, which is already fully operating, that will be supported by grants received. We currently have four workers participating in the program and expect to continue to add more leaders as the program grows.
Thank you to all of you for your support.
In solidarity,
The MCDW Staff
Other Committee Updates:
On Tuesday, June 16, we celebrated International Domestic Worker's Day with a Zoom call/livestream to recognize and applaud our Domestic Workers. State Representatives Nika Elugardo and Michael Moran joined us as speakers alongside other MCDW and NDWA representatives.
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Steering Committee Member Activities:
The Dominican Development Center has teamed up with the YMCA of Boston to distribute food to families. For almost two months, they have been distributing food every Thursday and Friday, delivering 200 bags each day. To date, they've distributed food to approximately 1,500 families. Through a grant from the National Alliance of Domestic Workers, they were also able to distribute 60 gift cards valued at $400 each to support workers impacted by COVID-19. The Dominican Development Center managed to identify resources to support other food efforts in East Boston, Lower Roxbury, and Dorchester. DDC is also joining efforts with other non-profit workers centers to give the community support with educational training, as well as overcoming technological challenges and lack of information. They are hosting solidarity meetings and working closely with different political campaigns to address the emergency need for policy changes and support in reducing the equality gap-- a gap that is reflected more than ever during this pandemic.
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| The Brazilian Women's Group has been working hard to support families in need during this time as well, providing fruits and veggies to families in need. They have also been active on Facebook and Zoom, offering a health and safety training for Domestic Workers, along with many other programs. |
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Upcoming Events & Announcements:
- Friday, June 19, 2020: Celebrating the Abolition of Slavery in America
Do you know a domestic worker? An employer of a domestic worker? A general supporter?
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Send them this link - http://bit.ly/mcdw-newsletter and have them sign up for our newsletter to learn more about the legal rights of domestic workers and what they can do to ensure dignity, respect & justice for those who carry the economy on their backs!
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