Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa

Providing assistance to those affected by immigration policies - Many immigrant families in our communities are not eligible for unemployment or other federal funds. These are families that are working multiple jobs just to survive - whose minimum wages dont provide enough to save for a rainy day, and who are struggeling to pay for rent, utilities, or basic needs. Our goal is to provide assistance where it is most needed to those families affected by immigration policies.

Defending workers rights to proper payment and safe work - CWJ has led efforts to educate workers about their rights and stand with workers who are victims of wage theft to recover the wages they have earned. Weve recovered almost $130,000 so far. Workers who come to the CWJ learn how to gather the evidence they need to prove their case and find out what steps they can take with the support of CWJ members and allies to seek justice.

Protecting and improving housing options for low-income residents - CWJ has organized a neighborhood association in one of Iowa Citys most economically vulnerable moble home communities, and residents of that community have won a conditional zoning agreement to develop a new neighborhood of quality homes at an affordable price. We have also educated more than 100 low-wage workers about their rights as tenants and conducted dozens of home visits to Iowa Citys most low-income neighborhoods to invite our neighbors to join CWJ and to provide information on rights of home renting residents.