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Voz Workers' Rights Education

BIPOC-Led Organization

Mission

Voz is a worker-led organization that empowers diverse day laborers and immigrants to improve their working conditions and protect civil rights through leadership development, organizing, education and economic opportunity.

Bottom Line for Portland

Voz Workers’ Rights Education Project is the only organization in the state of Oregon working with the day laborer community. We build leadership and economic power in this community through economic empowerment, leadership development, and grassroots organizing. We believe that sustainable and transformative social justice work must be led by the communities most affected.

Quote

“The center is a bridge to finding stable jobs. Here, if someone wants to work, they can. My experience here has been one of learning --- how to paint, a little bit of English. I didn’t have the opportunity to go to school, so I learnt all the English I know here.” Jose de Jesus, Labor Worker

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Economic empowerment Day laborers face multiple barriers to stable, dignified, and fair employment. We provide direct economic empowerment opportunities by connecting day laborers to jobs at the MLK Jr. Worker Center. We offer accessible workforce development opportunities that build skills and knowledge so that day laborers can earn higher wages and achieve long-term economic stability. Leadership development We believe that lasting and transformative social change must come from community members on the front lines. Voz was founded by day laborers organizing themselves for better working conditions on the street corners, and we stay true to our roots by continuing to build new community leaders, and by operating a worker-led organization. Grassroots organizing Justice for day laborers is a community struggle! We mobilize community members in defense of immigrant and worker rights by organizing teams of rapid responders and legal observers, and by demanding that public officials pass legislation that protects and empowers workers and immigrants.