Interfaith Worker Justice

Interfaith Worker Justice educates and organizes the religious community to advocate for living wages, fair benefits and safe working conditions for all workers, but especially workers in low-wage jobs.

How do you help people in my community?

Interfaith Worker Justice has a national network of local interfaith committees and workersˇ¦ centers that engage people of faith in worker justice issues and help workers that are struggling in the workplace. Visit our website, www.iwj.org, to find a local organization in your area.

These local organizations are focused on issues that affect the working poor in your community. They could be supporting workers that are struggling to organize in the grocery store in your neighborhood, or encouraging the state government to raise the minimum wage. It might be inviting speakers to come speak in your religious congregation during Labor Day weekend to learn about worker justice and how folks might get involved.

At the national office, Interfaith Worker Justice helps people in your community by providing a progressive religious voice on national worker justice issues. Our leaders are fighting national corporations that want to lower wages and decrease benefits for thousands of workers. We are in Washington D.C. advocating rational immigration reform and making it easier for workers to organize with a union.

Finally, our staff is also committed to training the next generation of social justice leaders through internships. Someday, those young people will be leading congregations and non-profit organizations in your community, and will stand up to demand justice and fairness in the workplace. 

Why do you need my support?

Interfaith Worker Justice needs your support to continue its work. We have big plans over the next few years ˇV we want to advocate for programs that help working people like national healthcare reform, paid sick leave, and improving workersˇ¦ rights to organize with a union. We want to help truck drivers, meatpacking workers, and waste management workers improve their wages, benefits and conditions in their workplaces. We want to expand our work with young people by building student groups on college campuses.

IWJ wonˇ¦t be able to do this work without support from individuals. The organization does not receive government support and relies heavily on grants, which are not sustainable in the long-term. We are building a base of individuals that can support the organizationˇ¦s vision, and could use your help! Small or big gifts all help with the organizationˇ¦s daily costs, and we are grateful for all gifts.

How can I be sure that you will use my money wisely and won't waste it?

Interfaith Worker Justice is an organization known for its integrity and responsibility when it comes to spending. There are a few ways that we make sure your money is spent wisely:

„Q An annual audit ˇV we are audited every year, and have always met (and mostly exceeded!) guidelines set by the government for non-profit organizations.

„Q An active Board of Directors ˇV our Board has a finance committee that meets regularly to review the organizationˇ¦s financial statements to make sure of responsible spending. Our board members have lots of experience in running businesses and religious congregations, and keep a watchful eye over our expenses.

„Q A thrifty workplace environment ˇV as a non-profit organization, our employees know that cheaper is better! We have regular volunteers that help with the daily work of the organization. We have modest (but livable!) staff salaries and office space. We take full advantage of our non-profit status for all purchases, and negotiate the lowest possible rates for things that we buy.

We are aware of the sacrifices that many individuals make in order to support our work.  We owe it to our donors to make sure that resources are carefully monitored and spent wisely.

Can I Volunteer? How?

Absolutely! We have volunteers in our national office in Chicago that do everything from stuff envelopes to assist with major programs. We welcome all that are interested in helping the organization and furthering its mission for worker justice. To volunteer at our Chicago office, please contact Cathy Junia at cjunia@iwj.org or 773-728-8400 x13.

We also have a network of local interfaith committees and workersˇ¦ centers that would love your help! Visit our website at www.iwj.org to find a group in your community. You can contact the local office directly for volunteer opportunities.