The voices of low-income women, women living in crisis and those on the margins are not typically included in organizing for change in a way that meets their needs. Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center facilitates Justice for Women, a collaboration of 15 agencies to empower low-income women to find support networks to address the underlying causes of poverty by forming Women’s Justice Circles.

What distinguishes this program from others is that low-income women are in the lead and collaborate with others to identify the specific conditions and systems that need to be changed. Women who are migrant workers, homeless, affected by domestic violence and/or working in low wages jobs are joining other women across the economic spectrum to name their issues and work collectively to take practical steps for self-sufficiency, create a more promising environment for their children, and bring about systemic change for a more just community. They analyze their situation, gather information, design campaigns, recruit others, and take concrete steps that lead to systemic change in areas including housing, education, nutrition, childcare, and access to healthcare and livable wages.

Circle successes include restoring state funding for housing and emergency shelters, women in domestic violence situations working with the city council for improved education and law enforcement, and changes in transit systems to meet the needs of low-income women with small children.  My hope as Justice for Women Coordinator is to increase the number of circles across WA state to empower a greater number of women and strengthen social networks for community support, coping strategies, community organizing skills, and leadership training.

I also would like to know if you are interested in:

1. Facilitating a circle.
2. Referring an organization or contact person that might benefit from this program.
3. Referring potential participants.
4. Sharing a space/site for a circle.

If so, please don’t hesitate to contact me at (206) 223-1138 or ipjc@ipjc.org.

Together we can make a difference in the lives of these women and our community as a whole!

Giselle Cárcamo
Justice for Women Coordinator
Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center