Overview
20 hrs/week $ 20/hr Contractor w9 expected to work nights and weekends when needed. No Benefits, health care, vacation or sick leave provided.
The Tenant and Homeowner Association (THA) is DARE’s effort to bring together low-income tenants and homeowners, living in Rhode Island affected by foreclosure, eviction, unsafe, unhealthy housing conditions, displacement and homelessness. The group was developed to respond to the unchecked devastation being caused by foreclosures in our communities and is founded on the belief that safe and affordable housing is a human right. The Association reflects an understanding of the current housing crisis within the long history of displacement and gentrification in low-income communities. The THA organizer will work directly with low-income individuals and families facing housing insecurity to develop strategies to keep families in their homes and implement policies and other tools to ensure dignified, community-owned and controlled, safe, and permanently affordable housing for all in Providence and Rhode Island.
Responsibilities
This is an organizing position, requiring flexible hours and the ability to juggle multiple responsibilities that advance DARE’s mission and vision.
1. to people directly impacted by foreclosure, evictions, unsafe housing conditions, displacement, and homelessness, and for general DARE membership through doorknocking, personal visits, outreach in specific neighborhoods, in public spaces, and at community events as directed by the Executive Director
Activities:
· Weekly doorknocking in low-income communities across Providence and in other cities, as possible and requested by supervisor,
· Recruiting and training member volunteers to participate in doorknocking and other forms of outreach,
· Monthly as requested attendance at community events where low-income tenants and homeowners facing housing insecurity or potential donors or volunteers will be present,
· Responding to phone calls, emails, and social media messages from folks with housing issues,
· Maintaining accurate contact and address sheets from doorknocking, as well as contact sheets from events and other forms and weekly reports of outreach to be provided to supervisor during regular check ins.
· Collecting demographic information , maintaining on a spreadsheet
2. : Develop leadership and active participation among members, recruit volunteers and coordinate the efforts of members and volunteers on campaigns.
Activities:
· Creating weekly committee meeting agendas with input from member-leaders, as well as supervisor, and providing copies of agendas to supervisor and member-leaders prior to the meeting,
· Maintaining notes of weekly committee meetings, to be provided to member-leaders and supervisor,
· Develop political education and leadership development opportunities within committee meetings, or in separate, one-on-one or group spaces for developing member-leaders of the THA,
· Provide documentation and feedback on leadership development of THA members to supervisor,
· Ensure member-leaders are encouraged, supported, and prepared to act as spokespeople for the THA, at direct actions, rallies, press conferences, in media stories, and other public events.
· Maintain database of participants, committee members and new members
4. : Develop demands and strategies with committee members, help plan and carry out direct action campaigns and legislative campaigns that advance the goals of DARE.strategies and objectives.
Activities:
· Annually, or as needed, facilitate campaign planning with THA member-leaders, with support from the Executive Director
· Maintain documentation of campaign planning process and decisions to be provided to supervisor/Executive Director.
· Create campaign timelines, roles, and responsibilities with member-leaders and maintain documentation to be provided to supervisor and shared with the committee as needed throughout a campaign,
· Research and develop policies with member-leaders, assisted by attorneys and other allies, supported by supervisor/Executive Director,
· Develop and facilitate, in coordination with supervisor, advocacy trainings, such as the legislative process and grassroots education at the statehouse and others as needed, to be provided to member-leaders in service of direct action organizing campaigns.
5. : Produce fliers, fact sheets, action alerts and press releases with the help of members. Recruit and develop members as spokespersons. Educate public and key decision makers about campaigns and key issues, create and seize opportunities to take advantage of mainstream media to advance campaigns.
Activities:
· In coordination with supervisor and communications staff of DARE, develop press advisories, press releases, outreach materials (including handbills, fliers, and posters), social media graphics and announcements, factsheets, infographics, and informational materials about the THA in a timely and effective manner,
· Participate in training and learn to utilize, design and other software, such as Adobe Photoshop and Indesign, Canva, and others, as directed by supervisor.
· Ensure translation of materials into appropriate languages, such as Spanish, in coordination with other DARE staff or outside contractors, as needed.
6. : Maintaining and establishing new relationships with local and national allies that can support DARE’s work in coordination with the Executive Director.
Activities:
· Participate in regular meetings and convenings of local, regional, and national coalitions and partners, including, but not limited to: Right to the City Alliance (RTTC), Grassroots Global Justice (GGJ), RI Homeless Advocacy Project (RIHAP), others as directed by supervisor,
· Recruit and prepare members to participate in regular coalition, alliance, and partner meetings.
· Coordinate the sharing of information and insights gained from meetings and convenings of allies, coalitions, and alliances with THA and DARE member-leaders, as directed by supervisor,
· Support the travel and participation logistics of member-leaders at alliance and partner convenings.
7. : Participate in all grassroots fundraisers, assisting with grant development, writing and reporting and development of membership participation in all grassroots fundraising activities.
Activities:
· Provide narratives and data for grant proposals and reports on time, as directed by supervisor and grant management consultant,
· Support fundraising events, online fundraisers (such as 401Gives Day), the annual Adbook fundraiser, donor and sustainer cultivation at the direction of supervisor.
8. Maintaining paper and computer records of assigned organizing campaigns and special projects, in accordance with established organizational systems. Providing support for organizational events, as requested. Taking part in training and development opportunities as requested. Other duties as requested by supervisor.
Activities:
· Participate in database and other technology trainings as directed by supervisor,
· Learn and practice the use of DARE’s database, Google Workspace, email, documents, and spreadsheets, as directed by supervisor,
· Maintain accurate timesheets and submit on time bi-weekly, as directed by supervisor.
· Develop clear and timely workplans, as directed, and submit them to supervisor with timesheet.
Desired Experience
We are seeking a community organizer who is passionate about housing justice, grassroots leadership, and building collective power with people directly impacted by housing insecurity. Ideal candidates will demonstrate a combination of organizing experience, relationship-building skills, and a commitment to social, economic, and housing justice.
Preferred qualifications include:
- Experience organizing low-income tenants, homeowners, or communities impacted by eviction, foreclosure, displacement, homelessness, or unsafe housing conditions.
- Demonstrated success conducting community outreach through door-to-door canvassing, neighborhood engagement, phone banking, community events, and relationship-based organizing.
- Experience recruiting, training, and developing volunteers and community members into active leaders and campaign spokespeople.
- Strong facilitation skills, including planning and leading meetings, political education sessions, leadership development workshops, and community trainings.
- Experience supporting grassroots campaigns, including campaign planning, direct actions, legislative advocacy, coalition organizing, and policy development.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience creating outreach materials, action alerts, fact sheets, press releases, social media content, or educational resources.
- Ability to build and maintain relationships with community organizations, coalition partners, elected officials, and other stakeholders while centering the leadership of directly impacted people.
- Experience maintaining accurate records, databases, outreach logs, spreadsheets, and reports, with strong organizational and time-management skills.
- Familiarity with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Canva, or similar digital communication and data management tools; experience with organizing databases is a plus.
- Experience contributing to fundraising efforts, grant reporting, grassroots fundraising campaigns, or donor engagement is preferred.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, and willingness to travel throughout Providence and other Rhode Island communities as needed.
- Bilingual or multilingual candidates, particularly those fluent in Spanish and English, are strongly encouraged to apply.
- A deep commitment to DARE's mission of advancing housing justice, social equity, and community-led organizing through grassroots power building.
- Own relaible transportation preferred
- Ability to lift 50lbs preferred
Pay: From $20.00 per hour
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Work Location: In person
