Community leaders established the Norfolk Chapter of Virginia Organizing in 2009. Originally covering all of South Hampton Roads, the chapter has won protections for residents of a mobile home park, passed zoning restrictions on predatory lenders, organized monthly vigils for immigration reform, and so much more!
The chapter recently won $100 million for improved infrastructure so that the city will be accessible for people with disabilities.
For the past year, the Norfolk Chapter has been working on housing issues. We want City Council to pass a housing trust fund, stricter landlord accountability, and a citizen oversight committee. While we wrap up this campaign, we are deciding what to work on next, and it will likely be implementing mindfulness in Norfolk Public Schools.
In the meantime, every month Norfolk writes Letters to the Editor and Op Eds. We talk to our elected officials on the local and statewide levels. We participate in really powerful Virginia Organizing statewide events such as the annual Power Analysis and Grassroots Gathering. We keep up our communication skills with leadership trainings such as a one to one workshop or a letter writing workshop. We help with fundraising and we have fun!
