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Economic inequality

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Widening economic inequality is harmful to people everywhere—today, economic factors are responsible for more deaths than armed conflict in the U.S. and around the world. For lasting peace, every person needs access to education, adequate food and shelter, and safe, sustainable livelihoods. 

To improve living and working conditions, AFSC organizes grassroots workers’ rights initiatives, community-based economic development, and anti-homelessness efforts. AFSC also advocates at every level for polices that reduce economic inequality.

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National advocacy on human needs-

What is economic justice?

The coordinator of AFSC’s West Virginia Economic Justice project writes about what economic justice means, why it matters, and what you can do.  

Interreligious working group on domestic human needs

The Interreligious Working Group on Domestic Human Needs promotes policies that will lead to the elimination of the root causes of poverty, as well as those policies that provide support and help for those experiencing poverty in the meantime. 

AFSC joins 93 national organizations in budget letter to Congress

AFSC calls on Congress to reverse spending cuts, protect Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, defend core programs for those most at risk, and eliminate tax incentives for sending jobs overseas.

Coalition on human needs

AFSC works with the Coaltion on Human Needs to advocate for healthy budget priorities at the federal level. The Coalition is an alliance of national organizations working together to promote public policies which address the needs of low-income and other vulnerable populations.

Fair wages and employment-

Immigrant workers get wages back

When an employer stole wages from thousands of immigrant workers in Massachusetts, AFSC’s labor rights trainings inspired workers to fight for justice. 

Taxi drivers deserve justice

Taxi drivers in Chicago deserve a living wage and protection against lease overcharges. This video highlights the work of Fayez Khozindar, program director for AFSC Chicago Taxi Worker Organizing and the United Taxidrivers Community Council. The Taxi Worker Organizing Project advocates for greater rights and compensation for low-wage, lease taxi workers in the greater Chicago area.

 

Workers take action to recover earned pay

Immigrant workers in Florida are working with the AFSC to recover wages employers have stolen from them. 

Faith community joins call for higher minimum wage in the Granite State

Faith leaders unite for a prayer breakfast in support of a higher minimum wage for all New Hampshire workers.

Leatherworkers and hairstylists open for business in Zimbabwe’s Hopley Farm

On Hopley Farm, a settlement for displaced people outside of Harare, Zimbabwe, a group of new leatherworkers celebrate theirn new business.

Young gardener makes a living helping neighbors be healthy

Sitting in class over three years ago, Joanna Farias was skeptical about a classmate’s idea to start a vegetable garden. These days the tables have turned, and Joanna is the one spreading the word about gardening.

Food, housing, and education-

Making affordable health care a reality in West Virginia

When the Supreme Court made it optional for states to expand Medicaid coverage for low-income workers, AFSC and a coalition of organizations pushed expansion in West Virginia.

Coal-country teenager wants better resources to keep peers in school

A sophmore from Logan advocates for teens at the West Virginia Capitol.

AFSC New Mexico creating Food Hubs across the state

New Mexico farmers gather to build relationships, share skills, and talk about imroving food access for people across the state. 

Roots for Peace: Preparing the soil for change

Carlos "Elmo" Gomez uses gardening as a way to unite his community and make positive changes to his neighborhood in Los Angeles.

AFSC and Occupy take on the foreclosure crisis

In Atlanda, AFSC and the Occupy movement work together to protect homes from foreclosure. 

Concord homelessness task force recommends more low-income housing, case management

After a lengthy period of research, the Concord Homelessness Task Force came out with a set of recommendations, including advocating for more low-income housing, increased case management, and better coordination between existing organizations. AFSC's Maggie Forgarty speaks to the Concord Monitor about her reflections on the report and what it will take to end homelessness in New Hamprshire. Read the full article here. 

Understanding inequality-

West Virginia economic justice program

The West Virginia Economic Justice Project works statewide on issues affecting low income and working families and engages in campaigns to gain or defend economic rights in support of economic justice for all people.

Legacy of inequality: Racial and economic disparities in West Virginia

The report, “Legacy of Inequality: Racial and Economic Disparities in West Virginia” includes a sobering analysis of Census and other data conducted by the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, the Partnership of African-American Churches and the American Friends Service Committee.

Budget cutting and our community listening project

The Federal Budget and Our Community Listening project is listening to Kansas City Area Leaders to hear their thoughts about unmet needs in our community, the impact of budget cutting on the federal and local level, and what they think should be our budget priorities and policies to create a healthy community. 

Related issues-

Immigrant workers' rights

All people in the U.S.—regardless of immigration status—have a right to work with dignity, but immigrant workers are often denied this right.

Federal budget priorities

Military spending accounts for 57 percent of the U.S. discretionary federal budget. A culture of militarism, U.S.-led military interventions across the globe, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have had untold human and financial costs, depleting U.S. resources for human needs.

Corporate power

Privatization of public resources and the increasing influence of corporations on the U.S. political system threatens democracy and transparency. AFSC is challenging the influence of corporate money in political elections, military contracts, and prison privatization in order to reverse the privatization trend.

Who we are

AFSC is a Quaker organization devoted to service, development, and peace programs throughout the world. Our work is based on the belief in the worth of every person, and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice. Learn more

Where we work

AFSC has offices around the world. To see a complete list see the Where We Work page.

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