A History of Resistance

Fighting for The Welfare For All

Colorado Welfare Rights Union

What is a Welfare Rights Union?

The Welfare Rights Union is a grassroots organization dedicated to building collective power among people impacted by poverty and surviving on social benefits (or poor people who are ineligible for benefits). Inspired by historic welfare rights movements and modern worker organizing, we unite parents, caregivers, disabled people, seniors, and low-wage workers to challenge policies that punish poverty and to advance policies that guarantee economic security. Our mission is simple: nothing about us without us. Those most impacted by public policy should lead the fight to shape it. Historically, we look towards organizations such as the National Welfare Rights Organization (1966–1975), which organized welfare recipients - primarily women and single mothers - to demand adequate income, dignity, and a voice in policymaking. Many modern welfare rights groups also draw inspiration from the Poor People's Campaign and other anti-poverty organizing traditions.

SNAP (& Food) I

Cash Welfare I

Medicaid I

Child Care Assistance I

Housing Subsidies I

SNAP (& Food) I Cash Welfare I Medicaid I Child Care Assistance I Housing Subsidies I

What we do

  • Geometric drawing of an outline square with sections divided by vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines.

    Address Welfare Programming Shortages Locally

    As a state wide coalition our members reflect their localities as welfare programming is administered locally. Each month we address local budgets & action plans.

  • Geometric drawing of an outline square with sections divided by vertical, horizontal, and half circle lines.

    Collaborate Openly

    You’re part of the process. We keep communication open and decisions shared. We advocate for our members & welfare recipients through collaboration.

  • Geometric drawing of an outline square with sections divided by vertical, horizontal, and circle lines.

    Advocate For Budgets & Policies

    We track local and state policies and budgets that impact our members and the programming for welfare program recipients like SNAP, Child Care, Medicaid, Housing Subsidies, WIC, Cash Welfare, and others that impact those programs. We provide advocacy opportunities for our members to engage.

  • Geometric drawing of an outline square with sections divided by vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines.

    Resource Navigation

    We are far from where we need to be for our people to survive. Policy change happens too slow so every month we have a resource navigation space where members can discuss resources in the community with their peers to meet basic needs.

Key principles of the welfare rights movement include:

  • Welfare as a right, not charity;

  • Organizing welfare recipients as a political constituency;

  • Opposition to intrusive caseworker practices and punitive welfare rules;

  • Advocacy for adequate income, child care, housing, and economic security;

  • Leadership by poor women, especially Black women and single mothers.

Interested in becoming a member?

Join Us Here