Equal Voice EL Paso is a network of community members and organizations working collaboratively on issues such as:
civic engagement, education, border rights & immigration, health, housing, employment and safe & thriving communities.
Among many of the participating organizations, members include:
La Mujer Obrera Paso del Norte Civil Rights Project
Border Network for Human Rights A.Y.U.D.A.
civic engagement, education, border rights & immigration, health, housing, employment and safe & thriving communities.
Among many of the participating organizations, members include:
La Mujer Obrera Paso del Norte Civil Rights Project
Border Network for Human Rights A.Y.U.D.A.
La Mujer Obrera
2000 Texas Ave, El Paso, TX 79901
(915) 588-2760 | www.mujerobrera.org | info@mujerobrera.org
La Mujer Obrera began in 1981 by displaced women garment workers seeking to improve the quality of life for low-income Hispanic families and revitalize the former Garment District (Chamizal neighborhood) where many women worked before the loss of 35,000 jobs in that sector. La Mujer Obrera advocates on issues related to the impact of globalization in the economic and social human rights of Mexican immigrant women and their families on the U.S. Mexico border. We are demonstrating the capacity of women workers of Mexican heritage to plan and implement an economic development vision for our community based on basic human needs and rooted in dignity, culture and respect for the earth.
Today, La Mujer Obrera is an internationally acclaimed community-based organization creating cultural and economic development that recognizes Mexican immigrant worker’s heritage and contributions to El Paso. Our efforts to preserve, adapt, and present the diverse historic and living traditions of the Mexican people are integral to fulfilling the most basic needs and uphold the most basic human rights: access to education, work, health, housing and nourishment, the right to live in peace and participate fully in civil society.
Our process is based on who we are in our border community- we seek to nurture the leadership of women workers who have been ignored by politicians and who we know are the backbone of this community. We believe in the right to design and implement our own vision of community development. We advocate for community development rooted in dignity and justice, and to date, we have established multiple social enterprise projects to include: Rayito de Sol Daycare, Café Mayapan, Mercado Mayapan, & Lum Metik Trading Co.
2000 Texas Ave, El Paso, TX 79901
(915) 588-2760 | www.mujerobrera.org | info@mujerobrera.org
La Mujer Obrera began in 1981 by displaced women garment workers seeking to improve the quality of life for low-income Hispanic families and revitalize the former Garment District (Chamizal neighborhood) where many women worked before the loss of 35,000 jobs in that sector. La Mujer Obrera advocates on issues related to the impact of globalization in the economic and social human rights of Mexican immigrant women and their families on the U.S. Mexico border. We are demonstrating the capacity of women workers of Mexican heritage to plan and implement an economic development vision for our community based on basic human needs and rooted in dignity, culture and respect for the earth.
Today, La Mujer Obrera is an internationally acclaimed community-based organization creating cultural and economic development that recognizes Mexican immigrant worker’s heritage and contributions to El Paso. Our efforts to preserve, adapt, and present the diverse historic and living traditions of the Mexican people are integral to fulfilling the most basic needs and uphold the most basic human rights: access to education, work, health, housing and nourishment, the right to live in peace and participate fully in civil society.
Our process is based on who we are in our border community- we seek to nurture the leadership of women workers who have been ignored by politicians and who we know are the backbone of this community. We believe in the right to design and implement our own vision of community development. We advocate for community development rooted in dignity and justice, and to date, we have established multiple social enterprise projects to include: Rayito de Sol Daycare, Café Mayapan, Mercado Mayapan, & Lum Metik Trading Co.
Paso del Norte Civil Rights Project
1317 E Rio Grande Ave, El Paso, TX 79902
(915) 532-3799 | www.texascivilrightsproject.org
PASO DEL NORTE CIVIL RIGHTS PROJECT (PCRP) PROMOTES RACIAL, SOCIAL, AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE THROUGH EDUCATION AND LITIGATION. PCRP STRIVES TO FOSTER EQUALITY, SECURE JUSTICE, ENSURE DIVERSITY, AND STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES.
In addition to civil rights litigation and education, PCRP’s other programs and services include:
• The Economic Justice Program, which focuses on wage theft and other labor rights violations
• The VAWA unit, which focuses on immigrant survivors of domestic violence, trafficking, and other crimes
• Safe Schools El Paso, an anti-bullying program that is designed to raise awareness among middle and high school students about LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) issues that students face in school.
PCRP was founded in 2006 as part of Oficina Legal del Pueblo Unido, Inc. (OLPU), a non-profit community- based foundation founded in 1978 in South Texas. OLPU also opened an office in Austin in 1990. Since its begin- ning PCRP has achieved substantial systemic gains in ensuring justice for the people of West Texas.
PCRP uses education and litigation to make structural change in areas such as voting rights, law enforcement and border patrol misconduct, workers’ rights, sex dis- crimination, privacy, disability rights, predatory lending, consumer rights, housing discrimination, due process, expressive freedom, and Title IX in secondary education.
CIVIL RIGHTS
1317 E Rio Grande Ave, El Paso, TX 79902
(915) 532-3799 | www.texascivilrightsproject.org
PASO DEL NORTE CIVIL RIGHTS PROJECT (PCRP) PROMOTES RACIAL, SOCIAL, AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE THROUGH EDUCATION AND LITIGATION. PCRP STRIVES TO FOSTER EQUALITY, SECURE JUSTICE, ENSURE DIVERSITY, AND STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES.
In addition to civil rights litigation and education, PCRP’s other programs and services include:
• The Economic Justice Program, which focuses on wage theft and other labor rights violations
• The VAWA unit, which focuses on immigrant survivors of domestic violence, trafficking, and other crimes
• Safe Schools El Paso, an anti-bullying program that is designed to raise awareness among middle and high school students about LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) issues that students face in school.
PCRP was founded in 2006 as part of Oficina Legal del Pueblo Unido, Inc. (OLPU), a non-profit community- based foundation founded in 1978 in South Texas. OLPU also opened an office in Austin in 1990. Since its begin- ning PCRP has achieved substantial systemic gains in ensuring justice for the people of West Texas.
PCRP uses education and litigation to make structural change in areas such as voting rights, law enforcement and border patrol misconduct, workers’ rights, sex dis- crimination, privacy, disability rights, predatory lending, consumer rights, housing discrimination, due process, expressive freedom, and Title IX in secondary education.
CIVIL RIGHTS
Border Network for Human Rights
2115 N Piedras St., El Paso, TX 79930 (915) 577-0724 | www.bnhr.org
BNHR MISSION: THE BORDER NETWORK FOR HUMAN RIGHTS’ GENERAL PURPOSE IS TO FACILITATE THE EDUCATION, THE ORGANIZING AND THE PARTICIPATION OF MARGINALIZED BORDER COMMUNITIES TO DEFEND AND PROMOTE HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS; TO THE END THAT THESE COMMUNITIES WORK TO CREATE POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS WHERE EVERY HUMAN BEING IS EQUAL IN DIGNITY AND RESPECT.
BNHR’s vision for engaging in the 2014 immigration and enforcement discussion is to strengthen border residents and immigrant communities’ political voice. A central element to our work will be to de-link the immigration and border policies rhetoric from the ter- rorism frame and to promote a narrative that would better define meaningful “community security” con- cepts rather than the narrow security rhetoric used today. As an end result, BNHR aims to a change biased border and national policies dealing with detention, deportation and militarization of border and immigrant communities. The BNHR is currently participating in the nationwide effort to push for a National Immigration Reform by educating elected officials at every level of government about the needs of border communities.
BNHR members and allies want the border to have a voice in this important debate because the consequences of immigration policy are felt on the border every day.
2115 N Piedras St., El Paso, TX 79930 (915) 577-0724 | www.bnhr.org
BNHR MISSION: THE BORDER NETWORK FOR HUMAN RIGHTS’ GENERAL PURPOSE IS TO FACILITATE THE EDUCATION, THE ORGANIZING AND THE PARTICIPATION OF MARGINALIZED BORDER COMMUNITIES TO DEFEND AND PROMOTE HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS; TO THE END THAT THESE COMMUNITIES WORK TO CREATE POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS WHERE EVERY HUMAN BEING IS EQUAL IN DIGNITY AND RESPECT.
BNHR’s vision for engaging in the 2014 immigration and enforcement discussion is to strengthen border residents and immigrant communities’ political voice. A central element to our work will be to de-link the immigration and border policies rhetoric from the ter- rorism frame and to promote a narrative that would better define meaningful “community security” con- cepts rather than the narrow security rhetoric used today. As an end result, BNHR aims to a change biased border and national policies dealing with detention, deportation and militarization of border and immigrant communities. The BNHR is currently participating in the nationwide effort to push for a National Immigration Reform by educating elected officials at every level of government about the needs of border communities.
BNHR members and allies want the border to have a voice in this important debate because the consequences of immigration policy are felt on the border every day.
A.Y.U.D.A.
1325 Beverly Ann Dr, San Elizario, TX 79849 | (915) 851-0272
The term “colonia,” in Spanish means a community or neighborhood. The Office of the Secretary of State defines a “colonia” as a residential area along the Texas-Mexico border that may lack some of the most basic living neces- sities, such as potable water and sewer systems, electricity, paved roads, and safe and sanitary housing. We advocate for self-sufficiency and positive change through the building of stronger community leaders, healthier, civically-engaged communities; and providing direct services that are designed to eliminate the many obstacles to poverty, safe drinking water, affordable and decent housing, a quality education, a clean environment, and good health and nutrition. Through its bilingual, culturally-relevant and proficient services, AYUDA serves as an advocacy organization aimed to build strategic alliances with area partners to find solutions to the many pressing challenges and issues facing the rural communities located in El Paso County.
In 1992, residents in San Elizario, TX were frustrated with the lack of assistance and resources that El Paso County had on-hand to help alleviate some of the dire conditions colonia residents were living under. Therefore, four women took matters into their own hands and formed a non-formal group to discuss, plan, and initiate an outreach campaign designed to marshal local residents and demand assistance from the local and state government to install potable water service and other basic necessities in their neighborhoods. Fortunately, these women were successful in their efforts, and in their excitement with the recent success they had achieved, they decided to make this informal group into a 501(c) (3). They formed a Board of Directors, which reflected the constituency it was meant to serve, and became a non-profit named AYUDA, which also means “help” in Spanish.
AYUDA has been advocating for the low income people in the community, identified leaders in our communities and have trained them to be able to identify the specific and unique needs within their communities. AYUDA provides leadership and advocacy training, the tools to stand up for themselves and address the needs of their community. AYUDA has facilitated the contact between the people and politicians to make real and significant changes. Community Leaders receive training all year long on different topics, to include leadership, advocacy, ethics, public speaking, civil rights and organizing.
1325 Beverly Ann Dr, San Elizario, TX 79849 | (915) 851-0272
The term “colonia,” in Spanish means a community or neighborhood. The Office of the Secretary of State defines a “colonia” as a residential area along the Texas-Mexico border that may lack some of the most basic living neces- sities, such as potable water and sewer systems, electricity, paved roads, and safe and sanitary housing. We advocate for self-sufficiency and positive change through the building of stronger community leaders, healthier, civically-engaged communities; and providing direct services that are designed to eliminate the many obstacles to poverty, safe drinking water, affordable and decent housing, a quality education, a clean environment, and good health and nutrition. Through its bilingual, culturally-relevant and proficient services, AYUDA serves as an advocacy organization aimed to build strategic alliances with area partners to find solutions to the many pressing challenges and issues facing the rural communities located in El Paso County.
In 1992, residents in San Elizario, TX were frustrated with the lack of assistance and resources that El Paso County had on-hand to help alleviate some of the dire conditions colonia residents were living under. Therefore, four women took matters into their own hands and formed a non-formal group to discuss, plan, and initiate an outreach campaign designed to marshal local residents and demand assistance from the local and state government to install potable water service and other basic necessities in their neighborhoods. Fortunately, these women were successful in their efforts, and in their excitement with the recent success they had achieved, they decided to make this informal group into a 501(c) (3). They formed a Board of Directors, which reflected the constituency it was meant to serve, and became a non-profit named AYUDA, which also means “help” in Spanish.
AYUDA has been advocating for the low income people in the community, identified leaders in our communities and have trained them to be able to identify the specific and unique needs within their communities. AYUDA provides leadership and advocacy training, the tools to stand up for themselves and address the needs of their community. AYUDA has facilitated the contact between the people and politicians to make real and significant changes. Community Leaders receive training all year long on different topics, to include leadership, advocacy, ethics, public speaking, civil rights and organizing.
