Vigorous civic engagement is the foundation for a strong democracy. Broader participation from people and local communities, especially communities of color and/or low-income groups, will lead to more just decision-making and a stronger social fabric.
FRESC and coalition partners' canvass rallies before hitting the doors, 2008
Too many individuals are discouraged from voting or civic engagement due to a lack of information or barriers, such as confusing procedures or long lines.
FRESC is committed to the engagement of people in the decisions that affect their lives and communities. We work to eliminate barriers to broader civic engagement, provide information about the electoral process and education about the issues the effect people’s daily lives. We work to link civic participation to policy choices that shape our communities, like good jobs, affordable housing, environmental sustainability and creating a strong foundation for public services.
Civic engagement is an element of all of FRESC's programs, but is the primary focus in the following programs:
Voter Engagement FRESC’ s voter engagement program has utilized a variety of tactics to promote board participation in the democratic process. Major components are non-partisan voter education, registration and getting out especially in low-income, moderate-income and vulnerable neighborhoods. FRESC also provides analysis and support for ballot initiatives that fall within our mission to expand good jobs and build strong communities, as well as opposition of initiatives that threaten these goals.
Door-knocking in 2008
In preparation for the 2010 election, FRESC will continue to coordinated with other nonprofits to educate and mobilize voters ensuring that real people have a say in the decision that effect their lives. We will work to help citizens to envision the communities that want to live in and understand the role of civic engagement in shaping our communities. A critical component of the 2010 election cycle is having the momentum to pivot into the next cycle and ensure that our public structures are adequately funded to protect the common good and help families to thrive.
In 2008 Colorado faced an unprecedented attack on working families and equal opportunity.
The ballot was packed five statewide ballot measures geared to push back opportunities for workers, affirmative action, and women, all but one were defeated (and that one was successfully challenged in the courts). Colorado is the first state in the country to successfully defeat Right to Work (for less) amendment since the 1970s.
Canvassers getting excited to defeat Amendments 46, 47, 48, 49 and 54 in 2008
FRESC developed and executed a comprehensive campaign that linked the issues citizens care about like good jobs, access to quality health care, affordable housing and environmental sustainability with the amendments that would negatively affect working families. FRESC knocked on over 72,000 doors over several months of canvassing, and recruited 3,000 new members to encourage citizens to vote down ballot and against anti-worker and anti-equal opportunity amendments.
FRESC gave presentations on these ballot issues to over 150 community groups and appeared in local and national television, radio, and print media. The Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice in Colorado, coordinated by FRESC (link) organized 55 clergy from across the state to publically oppose and defeat two anti-labor Ballot Amendments in Colorado.
FRESC lead a statewide “get out the vote” push with allies for the final four. This combined effort knocked on more than 71,000 doors, carried out a voter protection plan and prepared to ensure all people had the right to vote. Together with our national network, the Partnership for Working Families, FRESC hosted over 80 partners from across the country who lent their skills, time and enthusiasm to the battle. With razor thin margins of victory on several amendments, FRESC’s ground effort and large labor, community and clergy coalition put us over the top.
In 2006, FRESC made direct contact with thousands of voters and played an integral role in the successful coalition effort to pass the ballot initiative that raised Colorado’s minimum wage to $6.85, indexed to inflation. Our voter engagement efforts targeted neighborhoods that coincided with our Campaign for Responsible Development. (link)
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