Issues

College education is made accessible to all who decide to pursue it, including decreasing tuition and other indirect fees, increasing marginalized student recruitment and retention, supporting readiness from high school to college, institutionalizing robust financial aid and grant programs, and other supports. 

Underserved public school systems deserve additional support from local, state, and federal governments, and inequitable funding systems such as property tax-based funding should be abolished to ensure equal educational opportunities for all. 

Students and young adults of all ages and educational levels should have their basic needs met, which includes, but is not limited to, implementing universal free lunch programs, basic needs centers at universities, and housing assistance for unhoused youth or college students.

First generation college students and first generation early professionals have abundant career development resources, which includes professional workshops and trainings, financial literacy education, mentor relationships, fellowship and scholarship opportunities, and professional attire support.

Additional education opportunities are offered at all stages of life and career, including vocational programs, certification programs, internships, apprenticeships, and other forms of alternative education. These alternative education pathways are well-received and valued by employers in the workforce.

All types of labor are valued and dignified, and there are high standards for working conditions, labor protections, adequate pay, paid leave, benefits, and more.

Access to fresh, healthy, affordable, culturally appropriate, and sustainably-grown food is a human right and should be reflected in local, state, and federal laws and principles.

Approaches to food access should be equity-based and system-wide, including but not limited to: fair labor standards for workers, farming practices that are environmentally conscious and recognize indigenous land and food sovereignty, supporting small-scale farmers, and increasing government investment in sustainable agriculture and food justice initiatives.

Food access should not be limited by geography. Equitable access to affordable, nutritious food must be inclusive to all areas, especially rural communities and urban populations.

Access to food assistance programs should be expansive, and there should be increased support for local, community-based, and culturally appropriate initiatives such as food pantries and EBT-friendly ethnic grocery stores.

Healthcare is a fundamental human right, and everyone deserves timely and quality health services regardless of their socioeconomic status. 

Preventative care is prioritized, which includes public health education, regular preventative healthcare services (i.e. screenings), and basic needs access for low-income and marginalized communities. Housing, food, and other basic needs are inextricably tied with health equity and guaranteeing access to these needs is integral in addressing health disparities.

Health equity is executed with an approach that considers the entrenched racial and economic disparities within healthcare and addresses the potential distrust of communities in the healthcare system by providing culturally competent services. 

Everyone has access to a quality healthcare insurance plan, which minimizes additional costs incurred on families (i.e. copay or hospital/ambulance bills) that would otherwise deter them from seeking help.

Housing is a human right, and should be available to all, regardless of socioeconomic status. Thus, affordable housing should be developed, preserved, safe, and stable.

Transitional housing programs offer individuals — especially young people most susceptible to being unhoused, such as LGBTQ+, system-impacted, and foster youth  — abundant resources they need to successfully transition into independent living, including rental assistance, life skills training, and peer support networks.

Tenants and residents are protected from unjust evictions and inequitable rental policies through strong tenant rights, rent control measures, anti-discriminatory housing policies, and transparency surrounding rental policies, eviction data, and other measures that will allow for increased housing justice awareness and advocacy.

A lack of affordable housing is recognized as the root cause of homelessness; however, holistic solutions include support for mental and physical healthcare, public benefits enrollment, debt alleviation, and other basic needs that encourage long-term economic stability.

All safety net programs are abundant and convenient for families who need them, which includes the elimination of strict work requirements and administrative hurdles, and prioritizes whole-of-government investment. 

Families are trusted with their benefits, with minimal intervention from the government and other entities on how and when benefits should be used, shifting the narrative to the belief that families are fully capable of making their own decisions and are worthy of the support they receive. 

Public benefits programs’ enrollment and utilization disparities should be addressed through culturally relevant education and awareness campaigns that work to destigmatize poverty and allow families to receive the support they need, without judgment. 

Policies address the “benefit cliff” and work to elevate families out of generational poverty and serve as pipelines for stable and quality employment, while supporting them through that transition. 

Program eligibility is as inclusive as possible, regardless of criminal records, family structure, citizenship status, and other salient identities.