When we look at the news today or roam around the streets of San Francisco, the brutal reality of living in the United States prevails. Yes, we are the land of opportunity, but at what cost? Rising homelessness, incarcerations, political disputes, personal economic uncertainty… These issues are just the tip of the iceberg. Many have accepted this idea and are simply living in debt.

There are a few, however, who are spearheading change at the grassroots level. In a recent media briefing, Ethnic Media Services hosted community leaders who were honored by the James Irvine Foundation. The leaders spoke on advancing solutions to the problems they solve, proving that the most intractable problems can be dealt with despite political polarization, legislative gridlock, and economic uncertainty in the public sphere. 

Speakers 

(L-r) Saru Jayaraman, President, One Fair Wage; Dorsey Nunn, Executive Director, Legal Services for Prisoners with Children/All of Us Or None; Chris Contreras, Chief Program Officer, Brilliant Corners
  • Saru Jayaraman, President, One Fair Wage
  • Dorsey Nunn, Executive Director, Legal Services for Prisoners with Children/All of Us Or None
  • Chris Contreras, Chief Program Officer, Brilliant Corners

The James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award is given to people who have worked hard to bring about positive change in their communities. The winners of this award are recognized for their efforts in making a difference in their communities from the ground up.

In a recent media briefing, we hear from three of the six community leaders recognized for making a significant impact on their neighborhoods by creating programs and initiatives that address issues such as labor justice, criminal justice, and affordable housing.

Positive Change for Service Workers

We all remember 9-11. It was one of the most tragic attacks in the history of the United States. So many lives and jobs were lost because of flawed ideologies by extremists. A devastating event that motivated a national movement for service workers. Saru Jayaraman reflects on her journey and vision as she continues the fight for just living wages and working conditions for service employees.

When Jayaraman started, the goal was to provide jobs and employment for families impacted by the collapse of the Windows on the World restaurant at the top of the World Trade Center Tower. “On that morning 73 workers died, and 250 workers lost their jobs.” Over time, her efforts became a national movement. “We grew into a national organization with 300,000 workers in all 50 states and our fight expanded beyond restaurant workers to include all service workers.”

Service workers include anyone that relies on tips as they receive a sub-minimum wage. Jayaraman points out that gig workers are also a part of this movement. Gig-economy-driven companies like DoorDash and Instacart pay subpar wages to gig workers having them mostly rely on tips. This drives informed consumers to tip more. We still aren’t sure, however, if all the tips are actually going to the service worker.

According to Jayaraman, the restaurant industry is one of the largest and fastest-growing private employers for decades. “But it’s been the absolute, lowest paying employer for generations dating back to emancipation when the sub-minimum wage for tipped workers was created.”

There is good news. People are finally standing up for themselves. “We are seeing a really historic moment of worker revolt, in which low-wage workers across the economy, and particularly in the restaurant industry, are for the first time refusing to work for these poverty wages.” A move to raise the minimum wage to $15/hour has gained traction. “Even red states like Arizona, Idaho and Ohio are having this on the ballot next year.”

Prison Reform

“People can only see us as a liability; they have yet to see us as an asset. At what point can we actually demonstrate that you can’t lock up 2 million people without locking up brilliance, without throwing away a lot of people?” These are the fierce words of Dorsey Nunn. His work focuses on criminal justice reform. In the past, the United States followed a mindset of punishing criminals rather than educating them and pushing them to be better people. We tend to stereotype everyone going to prison as dangerous and uncivil. We fail to resonate that people change.

“The greatest victory for me is when formerly incarcerated people show up and recognize that they got something to actually do to change not only their life, but to change how society functions.” Dorsey Nunn, who was formerly incarcerated, reflects on the change one goes through once they have been incarcerated. He spearheaded the “Ban The Box” campaign which aims to stop questioning of conviction history for public employment.

Dorsey Nunn says that formerly incarcerated people have the will to be and do better. They just need to be given the opportunity to prove themselves.

“I’m a father, a grandfather and a great grandfather. At this point none of my kids have been to prison, and I interrupted that process because I was at home to take care of them.”

Housing the Homeless

Homelessness is a more apparent issue. Something we see in the streets of California, every day. Whether it is in San Francisco or Downtown LA, homelessness has exponentially risen due to rising costs and low wages.

“California accounts for about one-third of the entire U.S. homeless population. At last count, over 170,000 Californians are unhoused with at least 60,000 living in Los Angeles County on any given night.” Chris Contreras provides a clear picture of homelessness and shares his idea on fighting homelessness in Los Angeles.

“We operate the Los Angeles Flexible Housing Subsidy Pool, or Flex for short, which is a nationally recognized supportive housing model that helps thousands of people exit homelessness each year,”

Coordination between owners, builders, criminal justice and healthcare systems, and rental subsidies – federally or locally funded – provides support for the Brilliant Corners initiative. The program works with dedicated professionals who build relationships with landlords and developers securing units and dedicated housing/case management services, supporting an individual’s transition to long-term stability in their new home.

Brilliant Corners harnesses a pool of housing units allowing someone experiencing homelessness, access to housing quickly. The program also pays two months of rent in advance which relieves the landlords of advertising troubles. So far, 1,100 relationships have been sponsored through the FLEX program

These leaders have shown that anyone can make a difference in their community by taking action and making positive changes happen. They have inspired others to get involved and have shown that together, people can make a real difference in their communities.

Overall, this award recognizes the hard work and dedication of community leaders who are making a difference in their communities and inspiring others to do the same.