Taking the Reins: Story Updates
New developments in Wisconsin and Colorado as working folks build the futures we want to see.
This week, I’m bringing y’all some updates from previous Working Class Storytelling stories. For the last nine months, I’ve been talking to working-class folks all over the country about their lives and communities, and learning about the ways they are working to build a better future with their neighbors. I’ve connected with folks from Pennsylvania to Oregon, and quickly learned that these stories aren’t just a point in time, but actually ongoing, living things that keep unfolding.
Let’s check in on folks:
Walworth County, Wisconsin: Last May, I connected with Kevon (who works in an oven factory), Sara (who works at a free clinic), and Tom (a pastor) to hear about their successful campaign to expand transportation services in their very rural Wisconsin county. Not only did they achieve their goal (to get the county-contracted van service to run on Sundays), but a new group grew out of their efforts. They call themselves the Groundswell Collective. “We realized the good we could do when working together,” Tom said.
Since then, Groundswell has continued to identify and respond to deeply felt local needs. Recently, they’ve launched a new community campaign they are calling “Nursery to Nursing Home” to secure affordable child and senior care in Walworth. Both childcare and senior care are hard to find in their area, and the group is proposing an intergenerational care wing at an existing county-owned nursing home. They’ve started a sign-on letter directed at the Board of Supervisors and have gathered parents and caregivers to bring the proposal to the Lakeland Health Care Center Board. Stay tuned!
Greeley, Colorado: This summer, I began speaking with people up in Greeley, Colorado. Quickly, I learned that locals were in a knock-down-drag-out fight with their city council over a huge hockey rink and entertainment complex being built with taxpayer money, all to benefit a millionaire. I met Antonio (a student who works at Chick-fil-A), Joel (a union electrician), and Mary (a caretaker and former janitor), who told me a bit about what’s at stake: How their city is shutting out working-class people to pander to a millionaire developer and hockey team owner.
Just last week, I worked with Morgan (a Greeley teacher), who told the story of how big money got involved to disrupt and overturn local organizing.
All this shadiness has only doubled the residents’ resolve. Two efforts continue in Greeley. Another petition drive has started, this one aimed at overturning a zoning decision. And, two, local residents are taking the reins on this development plan and have created a Community Benefits Agreement— a contract that would ensure that the development benefits working people, not just the rich. You can read the CBA they’ve written here. Next steps on the CBA will be to work with the City Council to get them on board with the demands of working-class residents.
Thanks so much for the updates! People coming together to stand together makes all the difference!