Community Organizer: Philadelphia County Coalition for Prison Health Care

Posted by on February 28, 2003

JOB DESCRIPTION: COMMUNITY ORGANIZER

People of color, Spanish-speakers, formerly incarcerated people, and their
family members are strongly encouraged to apply. The Philadelphia County Coalition for Prison Health Care (PCCPHC) seeks an experienced community organizer for a full time position working in the City Council Districts that have the most people in the county prison system. This is a new position. The organizer will build on work the Coalition has been doing over the past two years, including advocating in the press and with the City of Philadelphia for prisoners with mental and/or physical health issues, building a coalition of healthcare service providers, activists and formerly incarcerated people and their families, and advising incarcerated people and their family members with chronic mental and/or physical health issues on how to advocate for a their loved ones.

The Community Organizer will report to the Steering Committee of the PCCPHC.

The Community Organizer’s responsibilities include:
1) Working in the City Council Districts that have the most people
in the county prison system.

2) Conducting grassroots organizing to build a network of families of
incarcerated people, clergy members, community leaders, and advocates from
each of these districts.

3) Organizing public meetings in each of these districts to present and
discuss the existing problems in the continuity of healthcare for incarcerated people from the districts.

4) Choosing representatives from each district and preparing them to
represent the Coalitions issues at key events during the upcoming Mayoral
race.

5) Connecting this group with other allies including prisoners’ rights
activists, health care activists, service providers, defender organizations,
etc.

6) Assisting the Coalition in scheduling monthly meetings; and

7) Helping PCCPHC develop long-term strategy.

Qualifications:
Must have at least two years of organizing experience in Philadelphia-preferably with some formal training in organizing. Must be a self-starter, able to generate strategies and implement them with input from the PCCPHC. Must enjoy working with a diverse population experiencing significant social stressors. Experience with HIV/AIDS, mental health and/or criminal justice advocacy is preferred.

Applicants should submit a resume and letters of reference to:

Robert T. O’Brien
Email: robrien@temple.edu

-OR-

Laura McTighe
Philadelphia FIGHT
1233 Locust Street, 5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215-985-4448 x162
Fax: 215-985-4952
Email: mctighe@fight.org