Spring 2021 Newsletter

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Massachusetts Coalition of Domestic Workers MCDW connect updates             May 2021 Dear MCDW community, We hope that all of you are in good health at this time as we face the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and political uproar. This last year's journey has not been an easy one, and we are proud of the resiliency of Domestic Workers. MCDW outreach work has become a priority, and we have partnered with Steering Committee member organizations to support and advocate for our members. Through MassCOSH, we have mobilized workers to apply to the Emergency Housing Assistance (RAFT) program and MCDW's Worker Leaders have been organizing weekly food drives.   We are excited about our Workers Leadership Development Program, which is in its second year. Four workers participated in the program, and they are actively participating in training the new cohort of the leadership development program. MCDW's member organizations have been busy finding ways to take care of and embrace each other. We are a community, and we need every one of you with us as we move forward.  Thank you to all of you for your support and commitment to our mission! The MCDW team Donate Now Leadership Development The leadership program kicked off its orientation program with returning leaders as well as some new ones!  We discussed the process of the leadership program and dipped into exciting new organizing tools that will fortify the domestic worker community as well as the domestic workers' movement here in Massachusetts.  This year we welcome Juan Pablo Orjuela to the team. Juan Pablo will be helping with logistics and assessments of the leadership program. Juan Pablo has ten years of experience with leadership development, political action development, and strengthening immigrant communities. Stay tuned for exciting news! Domestic Workers' Circles Thirty-four participants joined last April 16 monthly Domestic Workers' Circle to learn about the Visa T. The speaker, Chloe Meade, from Barrales Law, explained how victims of human trafficking (which includes both labor and sex trafficking) and immediate family members can apply. This temporary immigration benefit allows recipients to remain and work in the United States. She also responded to many questions from the audience. The May 16th circle will focus on Alzheimer's and other mental illnesses. Advocacy A group of our amazing members traveled to Washington, D.C. to represent the MCDW in the Movimiento Cosecha this past May 1st to support the Immigration movement and to fight for permanent protection, dignity, and respect.  Movimiento Cosecha is a national, non-violent movement fighting for permanent protection, dignity, and respect for all undocumented immigrants.  #PapelesSiMigajasNo Hear from our partners Driving Families Forward Coalition The Driving Families Forward coalition is committed to passing the Work and Family Mobility Act to enable all qualified state residents to apply for a standard Massachusetts driver’s license, regardless of immigration status. We are excited to share that we have officially reached 101 co-sponsors!  Learn more Dominican Development Center The DDC, in collaboration with MDWA, is organizing the Essential Workers Campaign to support undocumented immigrant women seeking a path to citizenship. The center has reached thousands of domestic workers (home care and cleaning) to educate them about the campaign and the Bill of Rights. Workers have signed over a hundred letters to Congress to demand the Bill of Rights be approved and have provided input for the bill that will be introduced by the end of April. DDC continues running food and educational programs to support domestic workers impacted by COVID-19. Over 4,000 families have received food and safety equipment. Over two hundred domestic workers have received cash assistance since the pandemic started on March 6, 2020. We continue offering virtual ESL, Home Care Program, and leadership training to our members and workers impacted by COVID-19. On March 7-8 we welcomed over 100 participants to our 14th International Women’s Conference, focused on the impact of COVID-19 on women. Through this fundraising effort, we collected $5,000 to support undocumented women impacted by COVID-19. The money will be delivered on May 7, during the celebration of Workers Mother’s Day. We are doing extra fundraising efforts to increase the amount. The DDC, in collaboration with the Black Workers Alliance and other immigrant organizations, is currently working on supporting the vaccination process of Latino families, one of the groups most affected by the pandemic. The center is organizing educational workshops and has posted information in Boston Neighborhoods. Learn more at dominicandevelopmentcenter.org MassCOSH April 20th Town Hall - MassCOSH and its COSH partners in New England will host a Town Hall and Listening Session. Hear directly from, Joseph T. “Chip” Hughes Jr., the new OSHA Deputy Assistant Secretary for Pandemic and Emergency Response to learn more about OSHA’s new efforts to ensure workers are protected from exposure to COVID-19 on the job. Meet your OSHA Area Office staff in break-out groups and share your most urgent health and safety concerns. Learn more April 28th Worker's Memorial Day - Our members joined MassCOSH and the MA AFL-CIO as they hosted a ceremony to remember those who died from preventable workplace injuries and illnesses and to fight for safer, healthier workplaces. The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a light on how dangerous it is when employers do not provide life-saving health & safety protections for workers. Learn more Upcoming Events This Mother's Day we are excited to launch our  1st Annual Fundraiser   Caring for the People who Care for You We celebrate the legacy of  Myriam Hernández Jennings More details to follow! Domestic Workers' Circle Alzheimer's and Other Mental Disease Virtual Workshop May 16th 6 to 7 PM May  16