Monica is a student at Holyoke Community College and resident of Beaudoin Village public housing development. She is raising 3 children and depends on welfare to support her family while she studies full time. As a single mother, a resident of public housing, and a recipient of welfare and Mass Health, Monica is affected by nearly every issue that we work on. She is a talented public speaker who takes the lead facilitating meetings with volunteers and with public officials. Monica is also doing a summer Internship with us.

Nancy is a resident of Caughlin Apartments, a housing development for low-income seniors. She loves going door-to-door to get her neighbors involved in our campaigns. Her description of how she is affected by recent state budget cuts motivates people at the doors to get involved. She is a native English speaker who has learned Spanish from living in a bi-cultural community, and she is always eager to use her Spanish on the doors.

Sonia was the first person we met when we started organizing in her housing complex - Lyman Terrace. As an active member of her community, she took us door-to-door both in her development and also in other areas to recruit volunteers. Sonia is a single mother who is also raising her grandchildren.

Migdalia came to our first volunteer meeting in Holyoke and has been involved ever since. She enjoys going door-to-door and is always surprised at the impact that she has – getting people to make a call or a sign a petition. Migdalia is most motivated by everyone’s enthusiasm to get involved.