West Street Recovery

The Voter Engagement Program works to notify community members when elections are taking place, to determine if they have plans to vote or need help getting to the polls, to support neighbors in understanding the positions and ballot measures on the ballot, and to spread awareness about how the election process works. Community members are organized and paid to participate in a voter engagement call banking program.

WSR specializes in providing disaster relief resources to at-risk communities. In the event of a disaster, it is of the utmost importance for communities to receive help immediately. This program enables us to serve community members in the days following disasters, before traditional funding and grants become available.

WSR continues to build collective knowledge about flooding, pollution, and infrastructure. Community members' ability to advocate on these issues has greatly increased through public speaking, meeting with officials, strategizing campaigns, and facilitating community conversations.

WSR distributes direct assistance to families in our service area who need help with purchasing groceries, keeping utilities on, paying for funeral costs, supporting medication purchases, and promoting accessibility for individuals with disabilities. WSR has a per-household cap of $300 per year and distributes funds on a first-come, first-served basis.

WSR has equipped local houses as "hub houses" with alternative power sources (formerly generators, now rooftop solar and battery systems), heating and cooling systems, food and water supplies, medical supplies, search and rescue equipment, and home repair tools. Hubs also strengthen social infrastructure. Neighbors know and care for each other through hosting trainings and block events.

WSR's research formalizes community knowledge to impact policy and empower community members to document risk, unequal investment, and injustice in their communities.