Hi, John! My name is Irene.
This weekend, a record-shattering heat wave swept the Pacific Northwest. This heat wave was a deadly climate disaster. And like too many climate disasters, the people it hurt the most are the most marginalized among us, like the hundreds of prisoners in Oregon left to swelter in hot, old buildings for days with no air conditioning.
These disasters make it crystal clear: climate change isn’t a single issue fight. Criminal justice and climate justice are deeply connected. Power Shift Network is a rare organization that’s really working at the intersections between our fights for justice, and investing in the leadership and work of young people on the frontlines of all of these connected crises. At moments like this, we need the movement Power Shift Network is building more than ever.
I’m asking you to make a monthly gift to Power Shift Network today to support young leaders on the frontlines of the fight for climate justice. Can you chip in to sustain our movement today?
Let me step back and introduce myself: my name is Irene. I’m a high school student and the founder of a group called the Justice Education Project, a 100% youth-led volunteer organization fighting for reforms to the criminal justice system — a system whose cruelty this climate disaster has just laid bare. Justice Education Project is also part of the Power Shift Network, both as one of its 98 member organizations and as a fiscal sponsoree.
Justice Education Project’s board of directors are all between 13-25 years old. 85% of us are Black, Indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC), and many of us have been directly impacted by our broken criminal justice system. I’m proud of our work. But because of our age, too many people don’t take our organizing seriously. It’s hard to find resources to support our work and amplify our message.
That’s why being part of Power Shift Network has been so incredible. As network members, we have access to a platform to share our stories and build connections with other young progressive leaders all over the country. As part of the fiscal sponsorship program, my youth-led organization has access to financial and administrative support that’s been invaluable in helping us focus on our organizing and be able to grow.
Power Shift Network is offering critically important support to young movement leaders like me who are fighting for climate and social justice. That’s why I’m asking you to support Power Shift Network with a monthly gift today.
We set a goal of reaching 125 monthly donors so that Power Shift Network can keep supporting young organizers like me. But we’re way behind on that goal, and I’m worried about what that means for our movement if we don’t make up the difference this week.
Can you help Power Shift Network meet our goal of 125 monthly donors? No matter how small your monthly gift, your sustained support is going to make a big difference — chip in what you can here today.
In solidarity,
Irene
