Experiential Learning for Transformation

Advocates for $5 billion in public housing capital repairs, including $1 billion for upstate housing authorities and $4 billion for 15,000 units in New York City, and for the New York Green New Deal for Public Housing to accelerate appliance upgrades and support climate resilience. Has advocated for increased state and local funding for public housing over multiple decades.

Organizes advocacy efforts for tenant protections, including campaigns for the Statewide Right to Counsel legislation, the Clean Hands Act, Universal RAD Vote, and Good Cause Eviction. Advocates for rent stabilization and eviction moratoriums, and has secured key policy wins such as the Emergency Tenant Protection Act in Ossining and statewide expansion of rent stabilization through the Housing Justice for All Coalition.

Leads community organizing efforts across New York State to advance financial security, affordable housing, and participatory democracy for low-income New Yorkers, with a focus on Black and brown communities and women's leadership. Creates infrastructure for deep organizing of Black women across New York State to advance policy reforms.

Conducts voter engagement initiatives including distribution of voter guides and mobilization of voters to the polls, such as mobilizing 5,600 voters in East Harlem through its Electoral Participation Project.

Sued Mayor Giuliani to secure health and safety education and training rights for Work Experience Program (WEP) workers. Secured $17 million in the New York City budget to continue the Transitional Jobs program.

Engages members in decision-making, campaign design, organizing actions, meeting with officials, and staff hiring. Members hold majority representation on the board of directors, ensuring democratic, member-driven governance.

Provided mutual aid support to communities during the pandemic in partnership with Black and Latinx small business owners.

Issues public statements in response to state and local policy proposals, including opposition to HUD citizenship verification directives, criticism of Westchester County’s State of the County address, and responses to New York State budget proposals. Engages in public education to promote social welfare and influence policy at city, state, and national levels.

Conducts and publishes research on housing needs, including the report "Building Westchester's Future: The Need for Affordable and Equitable Housing." Publishes annual reports (2022, 2023, 2024) detailing organizational activities, outcomes, and historical impact.

Operates a 10-month immersive, transit-based public program that conducts guided journeys across New York City and surrounding counties to illustrate the commuting realities of essential workers and families affected by housing displacement due to unaffordable housing.

Co-designs and implements research on climate-sensitive health issues, including vector-borne diseases, HIV, marine plastic pollution, and food systems, using locally collected data to inform program design. Research is conducted in collaboration with university partners and local organizations in Ecuador and the Caribbean.

Organizes volunteer mentors to support Youth Leadership Fellows, fostering leadership and public health engagement among young people.

Secured and distributed $30,000 in medical supplies to community members in 2020 through partner contributions, supporting local health needs in Ecuador.

Organizes and leads international medical brigades providing health services to local residents, involving doctors, nurses, students, and public health professionals. These brigades have delivered care to over 6,000 people, including after the 2016 Ecuador earthquake, and are conducted in collaboration with the Ecuadorian Ministry of Health.

Designs and implements community-driven health initiatives in disaster-prone and climate-affected regions, particularly in Bahía de Caráquez, Ecuador, and the Caribbean. Programs address climate-related health risks including infectious diseases, malnutrition, mental health, and gender-based violence, using Systems Thinking and local leadership.

Provides travel-study opportunities and experiential learning programs for undergraduate and graduate students, including credit-bearing options, focused on public health, cultural immersion, and risk management in Ecuador.

Delivers mental health services in partnership with Hope Music Ecuador and integrates mental health into broader community resilience and health initiatives in Ecuador.

Supports improved detection, evaluation, and response to outbreaks of climate-sensitive infectious diseases in the Caribbean region through technical and programmatic assistance.