CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM

The Intersection of Poverty, Criminal Justice and Race (The CT Collaborative)

The CT Collaborative on Poverty, Criminal Justice and Race was formed in Hartford, Connecticut in early 2018 in order to encourage continuous dialogue and conversation about the structural inequities in our communities and in our criminal justice system until these inequities are addressed and removed.

Jail Reform with the Safety and Justice Challenge (MacArthur Foundation)

Since January 2018, Everyday Democracy has been providing community engagement technical assistance to the Safety and Justice Challenge network and has helped specific jurisdictions adopt and implement racial equity-driven community engagement practices.

 

EDUCATION: Equity and Engagement

Everyday Democracy helps school districts and community organizations build capacity to involve people from all backgrounds in community conversations about ways that education can work for all. With support from the Nellie Mae Education Foundation and its Public Understanding and Demand Initiative, Everyday Democracy has worked to address equity and engagement across New England since 2015.

 

CIVIC HEALTH: Connecticut Civic Health Initiative

The Civic Health Project and Civic Health Index were launched in 2011 to increase opportunities for civic participation throughout the state.  Through a broad coalition, co-chaired by Connecticut’s Secretary of State Denise Merrill, and Everyday Democracy’s Martha McCoy, the Index is compiled every 5 years and a civic ambassador team is actively working in communities statewide.

 

 

BIRTH / CHILDHOOD: Reducing Infant Mortality in Ohio

Everyday Democracy joined Ohio Institute for Equity in Birth Outcomes to improve overall birth outcomes and reduce racial and ethnic disparities in infant mortality.  Through an ongoing dialogue to change process, the disparity gap is narrowing.

 

 

 

MENTAL HEALTH: National Dialogue on Mental Health / Creating Community Solutions (CCS)

Following the tragedy in Sandy Hook, CT in 2012, the National Conference on Mental Health launched a national conversation to increase understanding and awareness of mental health.  Everyday Democracy continues these dialogues with key partners nationwide toward improving support systems for those who may be in need.

 

 

BIRTH / CHILDHOOD: Strong Starts for Children

Strong Starts for Children was a New Mexico-based initiative that aimed to help communities work together for the success of all children. The initiative worked closely with five communities in New Mexico to help them find ways to work together on issues related to the success of all children from birth to eight, with funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

 

 

RACIAL EQUITY: Communities Creating Racial Equity

This initiative launched in 2007, following the publication of Everyday Democracy's Facing Racism in a Diverse Nation, as a way to help communities improve civic engagement and change on issues and related to racial equity. For over a decade now, communities nationwide are seeing positive outcomes as a result of ongoing dialogues.

 

 

POVERTY: Horizons Anti-Poverty Program

The Horizons initiative set out to learn what stood in the way of communities taking on poverty and finding solutions in eight northwestern states and in the tribal reservations in those states.  This multi-year community leadership initiative is still building capacity and addressing poverty through community organizing and dialogues in partnership with the Northwest Area Foundation and the region’s University Extension Services.

 

POVERTY: Turning the Tide on Poverty

Inspired by Horizons, this initiative was launched by Everyday Democracy and the Southern Rural Development Center in 2010 with community coaches, dialogues, discussion guides and action forums, creating positive change in 13 southern states.