Northern Virginia is a bustling and thriving region with a highly educated population and a strong economy. Despite this success, the area is not without its own set of challenges, such as the high cost of living. At Virginia Organizing, we are devoted to ensuring that all individuals are treated with fairness and respect in all aspects of life, regardless of race, class, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, ability, or country of origin. We are committed to eliminating discrimination in our schools, communities and workplaces.
We are also determined to oppose budget cuts to essential services such as education, transportation, and public safety. We believe that everyone in the Commonwealth should have access to a living wage and a benefits package that is sufficient to meet the basic needs of life, including adequate housing, a nutritious diet, adequate child care, good mental and physical health care, a secure retirement, and equal educational opportunities. We have worked hard to pass ordinances against discrimination against LGBTQ people in local school boards and state government, protect education funding from cuts in the General Assembly, and interrupt the school-to-prison process. We are also devoted to improving the accessibility and affordability of good health care for all Virginians, especially in areas such as health care for immigrants, black maternal mortality, and mental health care.
The housing crisis in Virginia is worsening. As a result of decades of neglect of public spending and growing income inequality, more and more people are unable to afford safe and adequate housing in their communities. We believe that everyone has the right to a home and are working to make housing universal by organizing for tenant rights, public spending on affordable housing, transitional housing, and temporary shelters for the homeless. Women's rights and access to health care, fair wages, employment, housing, and more are under attack in Virginia.
We are committed to organizing for all women's rights and access to important parts of life that have been restricted by discriminatory policies. The problem has been particularly acute in exurban communities in Northern Virginia such as Prince William's Gainesville area where industry has been concentrated lately. A Washington Post-Scar School survey conducted last month revealed that 36 percent of residents of suburban Northern Virginia said they would be uncomfortable living near a data center. The Northern Virginia Health Foundation is dedicated to going “beyond providing grants to make a difference in the health and well-being of Northern Virginians” by providing data, resources, and tools to help the community be and stay healthy.
The County Board primary elections will be the first local election in Virginia to use first-rate voting. Low- and middle-income families in Virginia pay a higher share of their income in state and local taxes than wealthier families. We are working with coalition partners on several different environmental issues in order to work for environmental justice. At Virginia Organizing we are committed to addressing these issues head on so that all Virginians can live with dignity and respect.
