What Does the Welfare Justice Project (WJP) Do?

Educates consumers about their rights
Empowers individuals to overcome problems and barriers
Organizes and mobilizes consumers for change
Works to win fair treatment of clients
Advocates on the state DPW (Department of Welfare) policy
Advocates on national Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) legislation and policy.
Provides one-on-one assistance.
Conducts workshops and training sessions.

Advocacy

WJP advocates for just welfare policy on the local, state, and national levels. We produce materials and provide training on welfare rights/policies for consumers and for social service professionals. Additionally, WJP staff is available to assist clients with individual problems. Please call the Just Harvest office (412-431-8960) and ask for Rochelle.

Our Welfare Rights Handbook is available!
It outlines welfare programs, procedures as well as ways to navigate the welfare system.
Download yours here (PDF) or call Just Harvest at (412) 431-8960 to order a hard-copy.
(Latest Version Updated: June 2004)

Our Organizing Principles:

WJP creates opportunities for grass roots leadership through our organizing campaigns. Our organizing principles are:

All people should be able to live a life of dignity with full freedom and respect for human rights.
All low-income people and recipients of public assistance have the right to participate directly in making decisions which affect their lives.
The working poor and consumers of public assistance are entitled to have access to all supportive services they may need, such as food stamps, until self-sufficiency is reached.
All people have the right to attain a living wage, pursue education and explore any career they want in pursuit of greater equality.
Children and families are a community's most valuable asset. Social policy needs to support all kinds of families by making quality childcare a right for parents who work.
Parenthood is a valuable contribution to society and should be supported financially by the government.
Welfare policies should be sensitive to victims of domestic violence. Economic and support services should be available for those who need assistance to escape family violence.

Our Statement of Purpose:

The Welfare Justice Project empowers people who are affected by the welfare system. The Welfare Justice Project is open to any person interested in economic justice and welfare issues, especially those directly affected by the welfare system. We accomplish our mission by bringing together welfare consumers, advocates and decision-makers to create positive change in the welfare system. We advocate for public policies that are more just by organizing rallies, legislative visits, hearings and actions. We educate and empower our members to demand changes at the national, state and local levels.