District of Columbia Appleseed Center for Law and Justice

Health equity and racial equity: dc Appleseed is deeply committed to advancing racial and health equity in the District. Our anacostia river restoration project prioritizes sustainable and equitable clean-up efforts, particularly benefiting the historically marginalized communities in wards 7 and 8. The anacostia parks and community collaborative promotes environmental Justice and health equity by empowering residents to address critical issues such as food deserts, mental health, and community violence. In the gun safety space, dc Appleseed works to improve the communication of violence intervention programs by addressing privacy Law barriers, ensuring effective collaboration among dc government and community stakeholders. In 2024, we will transition our 2023 hiv project to a broader health equity project which tackles disparities in sexual health, mental health, and climate change impacts, addressing gaps in services for underserved populations. Throughout these initiatives, dc Appleseed advocates for policies that enhance transparency, community engagement, and equitable resource distribution, aiming to uplift the most vulnerable residents in Washington, d.c.

Democratic participation: dc Appleseed works to ensure robust democratic participation by dc residents at both the local and federal level. We are determined to end taxation without representation for dc residents. To make this happen, we convene stakeholders and examine electoral reform in dc. While pursuing statehood as the ultimate solution, dc Appleseed simultaneously works to ensure home rule is respected and that dc residents maintain some autonomy in local governance through advocacy training.

Economic mobility: dc Appleseed works to increase economic mobility for people living and working in dc by improving career pathways and working conditions in critical sectors. Through its workforce development landscape assessment, the organization is analyzing how to strengthen career pathways, particularly in the healthcare field, which offers living-wage jobs without requiring a four-year degree. Additionally, dc Appleseed leads the dc coalition on long term care, advocating for better wages and conditions for care workers, and pushing for the passage of the direct care worker amendment act. These efforts aim to enhance access to stable, well-paying jobs, empowering residents to achieve greater economic security.