Dear friend,
As a mother, DACA recipient, and business owner in Memphis, I found community and opportunities for leadership through TIRRC’s domestic workers network, even in the middle of a challenging year.
While working during the pandemic to keep other peoples’ homes clean and safe, my husband and I both tested positive for COVID-19. It was frightening to be sick and worry about how we were going to take care of our family during the month I had to stop working. Even after recovering and going back to work, we still faced challenges as we had to reduce my team significantly and drastically cut back on the number of houses we clean. This strained our income and put immense pressure on our family. It also deeply impacted the women I employ who need the income to take care of their own families. Additionally, I was one of the thousands of immigrant workers who was initially left out of COVID-19 relief through the CARES Act as I am a member of a mixed-immigration status family.
These struggles led me to the domestic workers network at TIRRC, where I received training, resources, and leadership opportunities. I stepped up to share my story in news outlets and town halls while bringing other women to join the network. Wanting to continue my leadership development and deepen my investment in our movement, I am proud to have joined the TIRRC board of directors.
Whether responding to the pressing economic needs of our community or advocating for change on Capitol Hill, a key pillar of TIRRC’s transformative model is developing leaders within immigrant and refugee communities. By intentionally investing in people, TIRRC empowers community members like me to advocate for our families and neighbors, serve as spokespeople to share our stories with others, and multiply the impact of our statewide movement.
My story is just one example of the leadership development TIRRC organizers provide to immigrant and refugee community members across the state every day. Will you make a year-end gift to help us reach and develop new leaders to fuel our movement in 2021?
Grassroots leaders are the lifeblood of our movement, allowing us to raise a unified voice and make a powerful statement that immigrants and refugees in Tennessee are here to stay and deserve equal access to opportunities.
Building power together,
Sandra Pita, TIRRC Board Member