NETWORK FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE

Educate, Engage, Activate

The Lived Experience Survey (LES) is designed to understand occurrences of hate crimes and discriminatory, marginalizing, harassing, and exclusionary incidents. Modeled on similar surveys distributed in Greater Boston, the Winchester LES aims to both improve how the town of Winchester addresses hate crimes and discriminatory, marginalizing, harassing, and exclusionary incidents AND advance and systemize the process for rolling out this initiative in other towns, thereby creating a larger cross-community database.

The Winchester LES is available online in English, Haitian Creole, Mandarin, Portuguese, and Spanish, and can be found in English in hard copy in locations around Winchester. 

After the data capture period, anonymous and de-identified data will be compiled into a report, which will enable town entities to strategically and collectively think through responses to make our town more welcoming. We hope that anyone who lives, works, studies or worships in town and has experienced discriminatory, marginalizing, harassing, and exclusionary incidents to utilize this tool. Find it here.

OUR MISSION

To foster a movement for systemic change to advance equity and inclusion in the town of Winchester and beyond.

ISSUES WE SUPPORT

SCHOOL & YOUTH

seeks to broaden acceptance for diversity and equity in Winchester Public Schools by building a strong base of teachers, parents, and students in an effort to generate a culture change towards inclusion in the school. Learn More >

RESPONSE & ADVOCACY

facilitates confidential conversations and provides support for people who feel they have been targets of, or witnesses to, harassment, bullying, hate crimes, or discrimination. The Committee also conducts responsive advocacy designed to address institutional policies or practices that have resulted in discrimination or exclusion. Learn More >

COMMUNITY EDUCATION & ENGAGEMENT

focuses on advancing dialogue and learning through annual programs and trainings designed to build community capacity to advance racial and social justice work and facilitate ongoing conversations around difficult topics.  Learn More >

IMMIGRANT JUSTICE

advocates for policies to promote the safety and inclusion of all residents, workers, and visitors to Winchester. Learn More >

INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S ADVOCACY

promotes critical analysis and understanding of historical representations and contemporary challenges facing Indigenous Peoples, including those who lived on the land now recognized as Winchester. IPAC also advocates with other grassroots groups for the rights of Indigenous Peoples at the town and state level. Learn More >

ONGOING AND RECENT EXPLORATIONS

Click on the icon to read our ongoing series about the impact of language.

Check out our 2023 Women's History Month Honorees!

If you haven’t checked out our 2020-2021 Annual Report, take a look to learn about how we continue to grow, not only within Winchester—with student internships and efforts to expand affordable housing—but beyond it as well. You can also learn about the Network’s 30 year history by checking out this short video.

We are incredibly proud of how much we are able to accomplish—both through our programs and campaigns—with a budget under $200,000 and a staff of three, two of whom work part-time. 

None of our accomplishments would be possible without the generous support of our donors. If you have given a gift during our current appeal, thank you so much! If you have not, but would like to support the Network, you can do so here.

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HUMAN RIGHTS STATEMENT
Winchester is a community that is grounded in respect for every individual, and therefore protects all residents, employees, business owners, students and visitors in the enjoyment and exercise of human and civil rights. It is town policy to ensure equal treatment and opportunity to all individuals regardless of race, gender, gender identity, ethnicity, country of origin, immigration status, religion, ideology, socio-economic status, health, sexual orientation, age, military status, or disability.  
September 24 2009, updated August 6 2012 & May 18, 2020

The Network for Social Justice has spent years fighting for social change in Winchester — from advocating for affordable housing to providing support to individuals who have faced injustices of all kinds. We need your help to continue to advance an inclusive and equitable community. 

Donate now to support the Network for Social Justice’s efforts to educate, engage, and activate the community!

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Community is at the heart of all we do. Our ability to do this work depends on community partners like you. Give your gift today!

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