Washington Economic Justice Alliance

Category: Blog post

Jan 13
A Plan to Meet the Moment: The 10-year Plan to Dismantle Poverty is Here

PRWG is thrilled to share the culmination of three years of work with you — A Blueprint for a Just & Equitable Future: The 10-Year Plan to Dismantle Poverty. A Plan to Meet the Moment “I think the greatest opportunity we have is to build understanding about our experiences and design a system together that […]

Jan 08
HCA’s Sue Birch on How Poverty Affects Health and Wellness

“It's very difficult to get people to be at their peak health and well and relaxed and thriving when they're in an impoverished situation.”

Jan 07
DCYF’s Ross Hunter on Poverty’s Effects on Children

“Poverty is the main driver of our work. The overwhelming majority of children in our care, either in the foster care system or juvenile rehabilitation, are products of the often grinding poverty they were brought up in.” In this video, Department of Children, Youth and Families Secretary Ross Hunter talks about DCYF’s work with kids […]

Jan 06
ESD’s Suzy LeVine on the 10-year Plan and Reducing Poverty

“Now, more than ever, we need a plan for inclusive economic recovery.” In this video, Employment Security Department Commissioner Suzy LeVine talks about her excitement to see the 10-year Plan’s development and ESD’s work with poverty reduction.

Jan 04
Commerce Secretary Lisa Brown on Taking the Right Steps Now

“Reducing poverty and inequality is foundational to our work. Affordable housing, homelessness, helping a small business owner get their foot in — these are just a few of the efforts we collaborate in with communities, nonprofits, business leaders and others to help find opportunities to succeed.” In this video Lisa Brown, Washington State Department of […]

Jan 01
DSHS Secretary Cheryl Strange on Poverty in Washington

“COVID-19 didn’t reveal anything new about poverty. It only amplified it.” In this video, DSHS Secretary Cheryl Strange talks about poverty, what the Poverty Reduction Work Group has learned during the pandemic response, and what’s in store for the PRWG.

Dec 30
Juanita Maestas: The Heart, and Co-Chair, of the Steering Committee

Juanita Maestas is a longtime advocate for the impoverished. She’s part of the Solid Ground Advisory Council and the Statewide Poverty Action Network Board and the head of her own Human Dignity Support Project, which made her a natural fit for the Poverty Reduction Work Group’s Steering Committee. And, despite a healthy bit of skepticism […]

Dec 28
This Is Not About the Plan: What I Learned from the PRWG

A couple of years ago I was asked to represent the Department of Health on the Governor’s Poverty Reduction Workgroup (PRWG). The PRWG was tasked with creating a 10-year strategic plan to reduce poverty in Washington State. The first meeting was in a very large room with over 70 people from community organizations, tribal nations, […]

Dec 18
DOH Secretary John Wiesman on the Importance of Poverty Reduction for Health and Well-being

Thank you, Secretary John Wiesman, for your unwavering support of poverty reduction in our state. From aligning the State Health Improvement Plan to the 10-year Plan to Reduce Poverty & Inequality, to always working to create a more equitable Washington, your leadership made a difference. We wish you all the best in your new role […]

Dec 16
Drayton Jackson Uses His Life Experience and Ethos to Co-Lead the PRWG’s Steering Committee

Drayton Jackson has a lot to talk about. He’s a husband and father. He’s a member the Central Kitsap School District’s Board of Directors, a Club Level Manager at the University of Washington’s Husky Stadium, and co-chair of the Poverty Reduction Work Group’s Steering Committee. He’s also been homeless on both ends of the country, […]