RESIST awards grants six times a year to groups throughout the United States engaged in activism for social and economic justice. In this issue of the Newsletter we list a few recent grant recipients from our October 2007 allocation cycle. For more information, contact the groups at the addresses below.

Ex-Prisoners and Prisoners Organizing for Community Advancement (EPOCA)
4 King Street, Worcester, MA 01610

Founded in 2004, EPOCA is comprised of ex-prisoners, their allies, friends and families working to reform the criminal justice system and improve treatment of ex-prisoners. Its New Leaf program influences hiring practices by pointing out the benefits to both the employer and employee. Currently EPOCA is working to reform the CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) system, a major stumbling block for ex-prisoners looking for employment.

EPOCA received a grant of $3,000 to continue its work towards criminal justice reform and the fair treatment of ex-prisoners.

Rhode Island Jobs with Justice
431 Washington Street, Providence, RI 02903
www.rijwj.org

In 1996, local unions and community organizations formed Rhode Island Jobs with Justice to build a culture of solidarity and harness a collective power to deliver tangible victories for working families. They work to improve and defend working families' standards of living, job security and the rights of workers to organize. Recently, the group helped the janitors' union in downtown Providence negotiate improved wages, putting them in a position to win health care and other crucial workplace improvements in upcoming contract negotiations.
A $3,000 multi-year grant from RESIST will provide general support for this coalition of labor, community, faith-based and student groups.

Coalition Against Militarism In Our Schools (CAMS)
PO Box 3012, South Pasadena, CA 91031
www.militaryfreeschools.org

The Coalition Against Militarism In Our Schools started in 2003 following the invasion of Iraq as a small group of teachers, students, community members and organizations. Its mission is to empower and educate students on issues regarding military recruitment. The group has dramatically increased the number of students signing “opt-out” forms (from 8,000 in 2003 to 18,000 in 2006) which prevents students’ private information from automatically being released to the military. CAMS continues to pass out leaflets and brochures, hold educational workshops and training sessions and raise awareness of military recruitment tactics and viable alternatives to military service for students.

A grant of $3,000 from RESIST will support the goal of reducing military presence in schools and presenting students with positive alternatives to military service.

Desiree Alliance
2756 N. Green Parkway, #104, Henderson, NV 89014
www.desireealliance.org

Formed in 2005, the Desiree Alliance is a coalition of health workers, social scientists, sex educators, sex professionals and their supporting networks working together for an improved understanding of the sex industry and its human, social and political impacts. Its goal is to build leadership and constructive activism among sex workers to advocate for their human, labor and civil rights.

RESIST's general support grant of $3,000 will assist the Desiree Alliance to empower sex workers in their pursuit of civil, labor and human rights.