Residents of Danville and Pittsylvania County came together to create the Danville Chapter in 2010. Since then, Virginia Organizing has won real change in Danville:.
- In 2010, the Danville Chapter of Virginia Organizing fought for federal money to be spent on the creation of a community jobs program. Congress included funding for teachers and first responders in a bill later that year.
- In 2011, the Danville Chapter organized a “North Main Hill Week of Action,” during which members and student volunteers knocked on over 1,100 doors in the neighborhood, hosted a community meeting at the end of the week, and made next steps to address problems identified during the week.
- In 2012, Virginia Organizing promoted a rental weatherization program that created jobs and lowered utility bills for renters. The City of Danville added weatherization standards to its rental inspection program.
- In 2014, the Danville Chapter of Virginia Organizing pushed Danville City Council to “ban the box,” removing questions about criminal history from city job applications.
- In 2014, Virginia Organizing worked with tenants on Jefferson Ave. to hold their landlord accountable for unlivable housing and financial mismanagement.
- In 2015, the Danville Chapter of Virginia Organizing worked with the Danville Police Department to publicize the citizen complaint process and availability of complaint forms.
- In 2016, the Danville Chapter worked to address the lack of students of color in Advanced Placement classes at George Washington High School.
- In 2018, Virginia Organizing won Medicaid expansion, which extended health care coverage to 400,000 Virginians. Danville has the highest enrollment in the state’s expanded Medicaid program.
The Danville Chapter has also worked on statewide campaigns around voter registration, restoration of rights, health care, budget reform, Social Security, and more.
Through regular strategy sessions, in-depth research, and community outreach, members are engaging new people and building a strong local chapter. If you live in the area, we’d love to have you join us!
Currently, the chapter is calling on Danville City Council to increase subsidized rental housing in the city so that every family in Danville has a home. Get involved! Contact City Council and urge them to get started. Join our chapter and help make Danville a place for all of us.
