1000 Durbans

Youth organizers taking the lead. December 3^rd was a day of action for the youth and members at SWU, people came together to stand in solidarity with the actions happening not only in Durban South Africa but all around the U.S.


Monica Ramos (left) Ashely Terrazas (right)

At the end of the workshops the youth wrote letters to their mayor and city council asking them to better their communities, and choose green energy.

SWU youth supporting the movement in South Africa while making a change in their own communities!

By: Ashely Terrazas

YLO in da SWU House

Youth community organizers work on letter to the mayor urging him to adopt community lead solutions to climate change.

1000 DURBANS: San Anto, Tx

Michelle G.
Jocelyn T.
Juan A.
Juan R.
Ivan B.
Alyssa G.

(These pictures are of the youth that participated in our action - Muchas Gracias to all that showed up <3 )

A social movement that started on November 28th through December 9th that contained numerous activities around the UN ( United Nation) climate. This was the 17th conference and the year of 2011, it was held in Durban, South Africa. So on the 3rd of December there were movements breaking out all over the world in solidarity for Climate Justice and to pressure governments for real climate solutions.
As our contribution to the action to strengthen international solidarity we we had our participants compose a letter or a drawing that explained either what they have seen in their communities and how it affects them or what they would like to see changed and their suggestions to help make it happen. These letters will be sent to the mayor and city council members in hope that it will make a difference.
-Jessica Garcia

Texas Care Congress: Trabajadoras Domesticas en Acción =Domestic Workers In Action

This picture was of an Action that took place during the Conference Of Domestic Workers sponsored by the Texas Care Congress. Personally, I felt the energy level was incredible! After a long heart felt discussion in the morning everyone was ready for a little action come noon. People from every age group was present and accounted for during this action. We all had one focus. We all were working for one cause. There was no news media present, even though there should have been, but with out it we were still as strong and our voices were heard just as much as if they had come. NOTHING LIKE A LITTLE ACTION TO GET THE BlOOD PUMPING!!!!

By, Jessica Garcia

Trabajadoras Domesticas/Domestic Workers in action

With all the baby boomers from the 50's rapidly aging the U.S. faces economic, and social problems unlike any others in the past. As long term care for the elderly and people with disabilities grows families will be left with little help to find the appropriate care they need for their family members. The care givers help ensure dignified health care and support, but under strenuous circumstances both care givers and patients count on one another for a good quality life. Caring Across Generation has been working towards improving the lives of both patients and the care givers with five structural pillars.

1. Create jobs
2. Quality jobs
3. Training for workers
   
4. Pathway to citizenship
5. Support individuals and families
   

Saturday December 10th organizations, care givers, and people with disabilities from across Texas, and even other parts of the country came together to discuss the hardships of being a domestic workers, and how a care congress in Texas would help improve the lives of the domestic care givers. We all count on one another to care for for the lives of our loved ones and members of our society with disabilities, but without a dignified treatment for our care givers who will possibly think about becoming a care giver?

By Monica Ramos

1000 Durbans "Share Your Alternative Solutions to Climate Change"

Students In San Antonio, Texas came together this weekend to call to attention how city wide solutions can reduce our carbon footprint. Students who participated were educated on climate change, climate justice, and community-based alternatives trough hands on training. Along side other participating organizations we joined together to call to attention the world wide relationship between the negotiations being made in Durban, South Africa that weekend and their significance to local struggles in San Antonio. Thanks to the participants, the People's Power Plan was edited to a new version that will be sent to the Mayor in oder to catch his attention, and embrace these reals steps to reduce San Antonio's carbon footprint in the world.

By Monica Ramos

"Building Bridges to Empower a True Majority"

The south by southwest this weekend has created a convening for organizations all over to come together to demonstrate trough workshops how the process of our cross country solidarity building stays strong. Participants learned our struggles our history our methods during this two day long convening. We all shared our stories and trough the south by southwest experiment we learned that our stories are not so different from each other. No matter what background we come from there is always a similar history we all share. My favorite part of this weekend was showing many adults how to actually organize with youth because afterwards the other two youth interns and myself received so many compliments on how our workshop really opened up their eyes. I'm glad i've been able to grow from a youth participant the past four years to becoming a youth organizer for the SxSW.

By Monica Ramos