MACG has won victories in the areas of sustainable jobs and the environment, housing, healthcare, immigrant and civil rights, and more.

Healthcare

SB 698 S.M.A.R. T. (Safe Medication for All requires Translation)

Using organizing principles from start to finish, the Safe Medication for All Requires Translation bill went from concept to law.

As a product of listening and research, nursing students discovered the various ways that harm is caused to patients when they cannot understand how to take their medications correctly. This is a health equity, health safety and cost savings issue. Using the organizing tools of listening, researching, conducting power analyses, and taking action, these nursing students, along with faculty, and department of family medicine physicians were able to take an issue and turn it into law.

Together, they worked for over a year developing the legislative concept that would become SB 698 S.M.A.R. T. (Safe Medication for All requires Translation) and finding champions in the legislature to bring it before the Oregon Senate. On March 6, 2019 they traveled to Salem to testify in support of the bill, before both House and Senate committees. On Thursday, July 20, 2019 Governor Kate Brown signed the S.M.A.R.T. into law.

As a product of listening and research, nursing students discovered the various ways that harm is caused to patients when they cannot understand how to take their medications correctly. This is a health equity, health safety and cost savings issue. Using the organizing tools of listening, researching, conducting power analyses, and taking action, these nursing students, along with faculty, and department of family medicine physicians were able to take an issue and turn it into law.

Together, they worked for over a year developing the legislative concept that would become SB 698 S.M.A.R. T. (Safe Medication for All requires Translation) and finding champions in the legislature to bring it before the Oregon Senate. On March 6, 2019 they traveled to Salem to testify in support of the bill, before both House and Senate committees.

Training Leaders

Over 2000 leaders from faith communities, health organizations, labor unions, and community non-profits have participated in MACG’s Leadership Institute for Public Life since its founding in 2002, learning the tools and practices of relational community organizing. The Institutes train new leaders to participate in the decision-making process in the public arena, and give an opportunity for them to claim their voice and recognize that they have the power to bring about positive change.

Affordable Housing

In 2015, responding to overwhelming housing concern of members, MACG led a successful campaign to increase funding for affordable housing in Portland by 67 million dollars. As many as 670 low-income families will now have a safe, dry place to call home within the next five years. Far from being a guaranteed win at the beginning, MACG turned out an increasing number of people (over 400 total) to five public hearings and city council meetings, plus a MACG press conference, each time testifying and bringing personal stories of housing hardships to the attention of decision makers.

In 2018, Leaders in Clackamas County organized an event for 80 people with the goal of encouraging institutions to host Safe Overnight Shelters on their property, attracting media coverage and participation by County Commissioners. The team has formed a partnership with Providence Milwaukie and Willamette Falls hospitals to support people using the temporary shelters.

Latino Organizing

In 2017-2018, Latino leaders hosted four “Call to Action for DACA” events. Eight DACA recipients shared their stories with close to 300 attendees, building relationships between those affected by the DACA issue and those with the political power to take action. MACG’s two current Immigrant Rights Action Teams are led bilingually with the Latino leaders setting the direction for the work.

Based in the personal stories heard in the MACG Latino community, and with high participation of that community working side by side with MACG’s Anglo community, MACG successfully raised awareness to over 450 people who attended a bilingual assembly about a statewide Drivers Card ballot measure for undocumented immigrants in November 2014.

Behind a screen at the assembly, individuals told their stories of the fear and instability caused by the lack of legal driving privileges. To spread the word even further, assembly attendees committed to over 5700 conversations with friends and family, 50 people canvassed over 1000 doors, and events at other organizations reached hundreds more. In addition, leaders held a Spanish language training/workshop in February 2015 on President Obama’s executive orders on immigration, attended by 180 Latinos.

Creating Housing for Survivors

Clackamas leaders raised over $53,000 to open three self-sustaining post-emergency houses for survivors of domestic violence, addressing a critical housing shortage for this population. Their goal was to showcase an effective new housing model. Leaders oversaw the purchase and remodeling of the homes. A fourth home has already opened, and altogether the houses shelter 34 women. There are plans for more homes, and other organizations are starting to copy the model.

Advocating for Workforce Standards

MACG leaders participated in overseeing and advocating for new workforce agreements that ensure family wage and benefit standards, plus participation of disadvantaged populations in training and job opportunities in publicly-sponsored sustainability projects.

Fighting for Criminal Justice

MACG leaders are working on issues of criminal justice that impact formerly incarcerated men and women as they work to rebuild their lives. During the 2013 legislative session over 50 leaders advocated with legislators about the need for sentencing reform in Oregon, which ultimately passed.

Retrofitting a Neighborhood

In 2010, MACG formed an outstanding team of contractors, labor unions and community-based organizations to successfully propose and implement a program to bring energy efficiency improvements to the NE Portland Cully neighborhood. Due to MACG’s community-based outreach efforts, 222 homeowners signed up for the program (one in nine eligible in the neighborhood). Seventy-five homeowners have completed the improvements, saving 202 metric tons of carbon. In addition, 12 new union jobs with benefits were created.

Joining Contractors, Community, and Labor

Contractors, community, and labor partners that MACG recruited for its successful 2010 community-based outreach project decided to continue to work together and form the High Road Contractors and Community Alliance. Working together, Alliance members generated over 160 applications for energy efficiency projects in Clean Energy Works Oregon, at one time the fourth highest application rate in the program. Connections were further been built as contractors participated in MACG leadership training and MACG leaders orchestrated facilitated sessions with workers, labor, and contractors. In addition, all Alliance member contractors entered into a project labor agreement with LiUNA.

Past Accomplishments

Read the highlights of MACG's accomplishments in its early years.