Organizing Resources

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The Coalition for Basic Human Needs, Cambridge, Massachusetts

CBHN is a 17-year-old state-wide organization working for progressive change in welfare policies and related areas. The vast majority of members and the entire Board of Directors are women who receive AFDC. In addition, CBHN is a leading member of a coalition of about 800 organizations and individuals. Presently called the Campaign for Real Welfare Reform, the coalition is shifting its focus from defensive measures to a proactive campaign advocating for progressive policies on child care, health care, job training and opportunities, and a guaranteed income.

CBHN has held numerous news conferences, generated hundreds of phone calls and organized and participated in many protests to combat harmful welfare proposals. Last summer, they organized the Caravan for Welfare Justice. In Washington, D.C. they met with their legislators to discuss welfare policy and presented each with a copy of a petition against block grants signed by about 6000 people. According to members who participated, the legislators were amazed at the volume of signatures indicating the widespread concern about welfare. Using particularly creative tactics, CBHN protested Massachusetts' punitive welfare reform measure: on Halloween, the day before the law was implemented, on the state house steps they performed a play written by a CBHN member. The play illustrated the parallels between the Salem witch trials and the current scapegoating of poor women on welfare. They also dressed in black and held a solemn funeral march through the statehouse halls, accompanied by a dirge. On January 9, CBHN, along with some other concerned groups, presented a Counter State of the State address prior to Governor Weld's State of the State, where they spoke out against the state's welfare policies. These activities were reported widely by area media.

This article was prepared by Sue Scrivener, M.S.W., a volunteer policy analyst for the Center.

-- from the January 1996 issue of Welfare News