By Autumn Coleman
Washington, D.C., is home to several social justice advocacy coalitions, education centers, and grassroots organizations. These groups provide their services to the D.C. area to combat issues that Washingtonians face in their communities.
- DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence
The staff and volunteers of DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence in front of the United States Supreme Court(Photo Courtesy of the Coalition’s Linkedin)
The D.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence seeks to eliminate domestic violence in the District of Columbia by offering support to victims and survivors of domestic violence.
The Coalition specializes in five areas of service with its 18-member programs: Housing, legal services, mental health assistance, case management and youth engagement.
“There is so much need for prevention education for domestic violence,” said Liz Odongo, Director of Grants and Programs of the organization. “There is little education on a federal level and absolutely none on a local level. There’s a lack of resources, especially after Covid, making it hard to decide where to give.”
2. Interfaith Action for Human Rights
Logo for Interfaith Action for Human Rights Courtesy of Interfaithactionhr.org
The Interfaith Action for Human Rights (IAHR) is another organization making a difference in D.C. composed of people from different faiths and their allies. IAHR advocates for corrections systems to abolish punitive practices like solitary confinement and prioritize rehabilitation.
Based in the DMV region, the group educates and advocates for its rehabilitation-focused philosophy for people in correctional systems.
“Our approach looks to educate people across faiths,” said Rabbi Charles Fienberg, Executive Director Emeritus. “IAHR’s advisory council includes members from various faith backgrounds, including people who are Muslim, Jewish, Quaker, Catholic, among others. Each member brings a perspective the council deeply appreciates.
The organization calls for substantial prison reform using interfaith action, including ending all forms of brutality and torture, providing better education and healthcare for incarcerated people, and implementing rehabilitative alternatives to mass incarceration.
3. DC Vote
Signs advocating for statehood. (Photo Courtesy of Washington City Paper)
Founded in 1998, DC Vote works to secure full voting rights for the District of Columbia’s residents. Since its start, the group has helped spearhead the movement advocating for D.C. statehood.
“We’ve been fighting for statehood in D.C. for as long as I can remember,” said Latrice Nero, who is a lifelong resident of the district. “I’m not sure if we’ll ever get it, but the people who advocate for it are doing good work.”
DC residents have no voice in the United States Senate and no vote at all in Congress. On November 8th, 2016, Washington DC voters went to the polls, and an overwhelming 86% said, “We Want Statehood.” While residents wait for statehood, the organization DC Vote takes action.
4. Alliance for Justice
Alliance for Justice’s slogan (Photo Courtesy of Alliance for Justices’ Facebook page)
Alliance for Justice educates and trains nonprofit organizations on how to better advocate for their causes.
Specializing in empowering progressive movements, the group teaches others to harness their numbers to influence state and federal courts. Alliance for Justice educates on the courts’ critical importance to our democracy and their foundational role in helping achieve equality and justice for all.
Alliance for Justice has state and federal court teams that partner with members, partners, and allies to champion the appointment of advocates of equal justice and movement lawyers to the bench nationwide.
5. The Arc of the United States
Patrons at one of the Arc’s events. (Photo Courtesy of The Arc’s Facebook)
The Arc of the United States is a disability rights organization that serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through its work with public policy, grassroots advocacy, and annual events, The Arc aims to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities across the spectrum.
The Arc is the largest national community-based organization that advocates for and with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The organization also services these individuals and their families.
They believe that every individual and family living with intellectual or developmental disabilities should have access to the information, advocacy, and skills they need to support their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.
