Woori Juntos is delighted to present its annual report for the year 2023, showcasing our impactful efforts and accomplishments in pursuit of our mission to create positive change, empower our community, and advocate for justice and equity. This report highlights our key initiatives, collaborations, and outcomes throughout the year.
POLICY
The Policy team drives our mission to create positive change, advocate for justice, and empower our community. This dynamic team is dedicated to crafting and implementing strategies that shape policies, engage community members, and foster collaboration with partners to address critical issues affecting marginalized groups. Our advocacy efforts covered various priority policy issues, leading to concrete results such as improved public health policies, increased in-language staff/social workers in housing complexes, and expanded affordable housing options.
88th Texas Legislature Goals
In 2023, our engagement with the 88th Texas Legislature was pivotal. We concentrated on language justice, community education, and priority policy issues to achieve meaningful outcomes.
Language Access Bill
Under the "Language Access for a Health Texas" initiative, we worked towards improving language justice within the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Our accomplishments include introducing SB 2080 and HB 5166 bills, along with two Bill Riders and a Budget Amendment. We formed the TX Language Justice Collective with over 17 organizations, gaining co-author support and conducting a successful public hearing for HB 5166.
Community Member Education & Training
Empowering our community through education and training was a core focus. We surpassed our targets by educating 166 community members on priority issues, training 79 members on testifying and engaging with legislators, and mobilizing 40 community members for testimony and engagement activities.
City of Houston Budget Advocacy
During the Texas Legislature engagements, we responded to the City of Houston's Fiscal Year 2024 budget cycle. Although an amendment for increased funding for language access did not materialize, our advocacy highlighted language access gaps and fostered communication with the Office of Emergency Management post a chemical fire incident.
Harris County Budget Advocacy
Expanding our advocacy, we actively pursued a just Harris County fiscal year 2024 budget. Our goals included securing additional funding for a Language Access Plan and engaging community members in advocating for equitable budget allocations.
Collaborative Advocacy
Our partnerships with organizations like Houston Leads and the Community Safety Budget Agenda have amplified our advocacy efforts. Together, we advocated for a $12 million HART expansion, the removal of ICE from the Joint Processing Center, expanded acceptance of the Enhanced Library Card, increased funding for the Immigrant Legal Service Fund, and comprehensive community safety reforms.
Organizing
At our recent end-of-year retreat, we reaffirmed our commitment to empowering communities and ensuring policymakers address their concerns. Here are our key accomplishments and ongoing initiatives.
Empowering Voices
We've equipped impacted communities with skills to demand changes effectively, take control of their futures, and amplify their voices.
Collaborative Policy Advocacy
Our engagement has led policymakers to better understand community concerns, resulting in actionable steps guided by community input.
Senior Fellowship Program
(Ages 55+)
In both 2022 and 2023, our Senior Fellowship Program achieved significant milestones, including the recruitment and mobilization of Senior Fellows who contributed to substantial outreach efforts during elections. They conducted Smart Device Classes, enhancing digital literacy among seniors, and participated in advocacy actions addressing community concerns.
Young Advocates Program
(Ages 15-25)
Our Young Advocates Program made remarkable progress in 2023, recruiting and mobilizing Fellows, co-organizing Community Conversations, and developing leadership skills among young advocates.
Community Engagement & Actions
Through hosting events like Know Your Rights Campaigns, Community Conversations, Vaccine Drives, and Pop-Up Food & Resource Drives, we significantly enhanced community engagement and fostered meaningful dialogue on critical issues.
Civic Engagement & Advocacy
Our civic engagement and advocacy initiatives showcased our commitment to maximizing community influence and ensuring community priorities are addressed, from participation in rallies to efforts during elections and school board meetings.
SOCIAL SERVICES NAVIGATION
Our Service Coordination team provides a wide range of essential services to support our community members. Here's an overview of the services we offered.
Language Services & Access
Mail Read and Follow-up Service: We assist over 300 clients by handling calls, emails, or letters related to insurance appeals, social security claims, financial statement reviews, and more.
Written Translation Service: Our translation services benefit more than 150 individuals by translating documents like Family Census Registers, Marriage Certificates, etc., from Korean to English with notarized certificates of accuracy.
Verbal Interpretation Service: We support over 200 interactions by providing interpretation services for phone calls to agencies, accompanying clients to appointments, citizenship interviews, and other situations.
Accessing Benefits & Services
We help community members access various benefits and services including THHSC-Medicaid, SNAP, Medicare Savings Plan, Harris County Health Financial Aid, Social Security benefits, housing applications, driver's license renewals, US passport applications, utility assistance, rental assistance, and more, reaching over 500 individuals.
USCIS & Citizenship Workshops
We organize Citizenship Information Sessions and Workshops, benefitting 60 individuals by providing guidance and preparation for the citizenship process.
We are also working towards achieving Department of Justice Partial Accreditation to enhance legal assistance services, thereby increasing our capacity to serve the community effectively.
