Economic Justice
ECONOMIC CAMPAIGN TEAM
The Economic Justice Team initially launched in June of 2014 with over 20 partners at the table. The Team decided to focus on three priority changes outlined in the community-developed Health Richmond logic model which included:
- Residents build their capacity and financial stability, and take advantage of employment and other economic opportunities;
- Create an employment and business environment that brings growth and economic vitality to the region;
- Residents have coordinated, integrated programs that build family economic stability, employment potential and innovative economic alternatives.
Our current Economic Justice Team strategizes campaigns that focus on the implementation of City Race Equity Plan (housing, economic development, workforce, land use, etc.) and how it is influencing how city departments partner with residents that have been historically marginalized. The Team is also working in partnership with the Contra Costa Health Career Pathway Partnership and local academic institutions to support pathways for Contra Costa residents (and particularly disadvantaged populations) to gain access to health sector jobs that provide sustainable wages and opportunities for advancement.
CAMPAIGNS
- Race Equity Plan: Led by the City of Richmond, Healthy Contra Costa is collaborating with the city to engage leaders in activities to move from community engagement to ownership and incorporate racial equity principles and values in City departmental work such as reducing gentrification and creating more sustainable jobs for local residents. Resident Ambassadors are key to advocating directly to city leaders and serving as accountability partners to ensure implementation across city departments.
- North Richmond Resident Leadership Team (NR RLT): Building the RLT’s capacity to engage community members and decision makers and advocate on behalf of their community ultimately led to the successful publication and presentation of the North Richmond Quality of Life Plan. The North Richmond RLT is eager to ensure that their Quality of Life Plan can be used as an effective tool going forward and are committed to continue leveraging and growing their power to ensure all future development in North Richmond is “by and for residents.” HCC is providing consultation on Redevelopment sites; working with our Richmond residents to advocate with the county for the brown field site clean ups. We are also providing consultation on re-development efforts of the previous housing authority Las Deltas properties, both the scattered sites and the main sites.
- Workforce Development - RYHAP: RYHAP is an active workforce development project with the City of Richmond. The RYHAP program connects Richmond young adults (between the ages of 18 and 24) to health careers, policy advocacy trainings, and career support services. HCC provides an in-depth policy advocacy curriculum to our RYHAP participants, and provides support and regular check-ins as they move through the program. Through our partnership with nonprofit SparkPoint Contra Costa, RYHAP participants receive career coaching and financial education. All RYHAP youth are connected to a healthcare career “pathway,” or training program of their choice through the Contra Costa Health Pathways Partnership. At the end of the RYHAP program, a small group of youth from the program will serve as consultants to the Richmond Workforce Development Board.
Join our Economic Justice Campaign!
Do you want to help make Richmond a healthy and vibrant community for ALL residents?
In 2020, the City of Richmond committed to a Race Equity Plan. The plan has several goals, including shifting City department governance to a “Community Ownership model,” which fosters participatory democracy and equity through resident-driven decision-making. Healthy Contra Costa held a series of Community Buzz Cafés to generate ideas for how to advance the plan in 2023. Now we are ready to partner with the City to integrate community knowledge into the plan and move it toward full implementation.
Our Economic Justice Action Team is launching our current campaign to center community voice and leadership in the Race Equity Plan’s implementation.
Upcoming Event
Come Join our Economic Justice Meetings the Fourth Thursday of every month at 10:00 am! We will connect you to our campaign activities. Here is the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82523202707
Resources
Here’s some of our current partners!
