Allies for Justice 2008
An evening celebrating our diverse experiences, our common humanity and social justice activism.

CONGRATULATIONS 2008 SOCIAL JUSTICE AWARDEES
For exceptional history of activism and leadership in transforming systems of injustice.

Minnesota ACORN

Through Minnesota ACORN's successful history of organizing, low-income Minnesota families have more affordable housing, neighborhood improvements, community reinvestment and employment opportunities. ACORN worked with Twin Cities banks to eliminate unfair barriers to home ownership and develop special loan products to make it possible for families to qualify for a mortgage. ACORN's persistent leadership documented predatory lending abuse and other financial scams that target poor families and helped to secure tenant protections in foreclosure. ACORN educates constituents about predatory lending and works to help people get out of bad loans. Joining forces with other groups, ACORN is pushing city and state officials for action to protect homeowners and pass laws addressing predatory lending, home foreclosures and other pieces of the home mortgage and financial crises

Somali Action Alliance

Somali Action Alliance promotes economic opportunity, self-reliance, civic participation and self-determination among its constituency of new Americans. Through the Alliance's education and organizing, Somali immigrants are gaining a sense of power and possibility and building community power to lead change. Confronted by a range of challenges in the post-9/11 world—racial profiling, religious intolerance, language and cultural barriers, employment discrimination, and the struggle for family reunification—Somali Action Alliance fosters self-reliance by educating constituents and developing skills needed to be effective advocates for themselves, their families and their community. Growing out of a 2002 voter participation project, Somali Action Alliance galvanized hundreds of new Americans to engage in democratic process ranging from neighborhood schools, local school boards and city council meetings to state and national elections.

Donor-activists Barbra Weiner and Catharine Reid

Barbra Wiener and Catharine Reid embody donor activism in the fullest sense. They make things happen through strategic giving, daily engagement in community work, seeking creative solutions to community problems, and inspiring and challenging others to invest talents, energy and financial resources in working for justice. Long time volunteers, donors and leaders for Headwaters, they also roll up their sleeves to volunteer for countless community groups. They are leaders and connectors. While most comfortable giving time and resources "behind the scenes" they are wiling to be public about their giving to encourage and inspire others to give and do more to create a just and sustainable world. Their values are integrated into how they do their giving and how they live their lives—and they do it all with joy, compassion and enthusiasm.

For more images from the event, click here.

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