Liberation starts with. . .
Community & Police Relations
Worcester Interfaith is committed to moving our city from harm to hope and healing. Our work begins with listening to Black and working-class residents whose lives are most impacted by an unequal justice system and organizing with them to create community-led solutions to safety.
Through leadership development we train our community to take collective action for a more just and transparent approach to public safety. Our organizing is rooted in accountability, redemption, and the belief that real safety grows from strong, connected communities, not punishment or fear.
Our work focuses on:
• Relationship Building
Creating space for residents to share experiences with policing, be heard, and build solidarity.
• Leadership Development
Equipping directly impacted people to testify, speak publicly, and organize for systemic change.
• Accountability and Transparency
Advocating for policies that reduce harm, protect civil rights, and build trust between the community and public institutions.
Worcester Interfaith stands alongside partners across the MCAN network pushing for reforms such as unarmed crisis response teams, alternatives to punitive policing, record sealing, and clemency reform. Together, we are part of a statewide movement committed to healing, safety, and dignity.
We believe Worcester can be a place where every resident—regardless of race, neighborhood, or background—is treated with respect and has a voice in shaping public safety. Our organizing aims to make that vision real.
Voter Engagement
Worcester Interfaith believes that a healthy democracy is built by people who feel seen, heard, and connected to the issues that shape their lives. Our voter engagement work goes far beyond election season—we focus on building long-term, relationship-based power with BIPOC and working-class residents so they can lead, take action, and influence decisions year-round.
As the Central Massachusetts Democracy Hub Anchor for the Mass Voter Table, Worcester Interfaith plays a key role in strengthening local democracy. Over the last three years, we have connected with more than 14,000 voters across Worcester, with a focus on low propensity voters.
Traditional outreach often shows up only during campaign cycles. Our organizers and leaders meet with residents throughout the year to talk about what matters most—housing costs, safety, schools, jobs, and the future of their neighborhoods. Through these conversations, people discover their own voice and power, and how voting is one tool among many for creating change.
Today, Worcester Interfaith continues growing a base of engaged, informed voters who are ready to lead—not just during elections, but every day. By building trust, nurturing leadership, and staying connected to the real issues facing families, we strengthen local democracy and help shape a Worcester where everyone has a voice.
Housing Justice
Worcester Interfaith believes housing is a human right—not a privilege. Stable, safe, and affordable housing is the foundation for family well-being, educational success, and economic stability. Yet across Worcester, BIPOC and working-class families face rising rents, displacement, and shrinking access to secure housing.
Our Housing Justice campaign brings residents together to confront these systemic inequities and organize for long-term solutions. Through the School of Prophetic Action, we train directly impacted leaders to understand how housing policy works, build collective power, and take action at the neighborhood and statewide levels.
Our work focuses on:
• Building Resident Power
Supporting tenants, families, and community members to share their stories, know their rights, and organize for dignified living conditions.
• Fighting for Policy Change
We are part of a statewide movement to lift the ban on rent control, expand affordable housing options, and ensure public resources truly serve low-income communities.
• Addressing Crisis Conditions
Worcester residents face high eviction rates, long housing waitlists, and rising cost burdens. We work with those most affected to challenge harmful policies and demand equitable investment.
• Strengthening Coalitions
Aligned with MCAN affiliates across Massachusetts, we support efforts that have won billions for affordable housing, expanded protections for low-income tenants, and advanced local reforms from rent stabilization to accessory dwelling unit expansion.
In Worcester, the need is urgent—but so is our commitment. By developing local leadership, amplifying the voices of those most impacted, and building collective power, we are organizing for a city where every family has access to a safe, affordable place to call home and where housing justice is realized for all.
