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SAfER: Springfield Alliance for Equality and Respect

The only multi-issue human dignity group centered in Springfield, Oregon.

Springfield Alliance for Equality and Respect (SAfER) is a CALC program in Springfield. SAfER operates with leadership from people who live and/or work in Springfield. SAfER promotes human rights, responds when abuses occur, and assists public institutions in addressing social justice issues. Kids are a central concern.

SAfER seeks schools in which all students, staff and families feel safe, respected and valued, and in which all students can achieve their potential.

SAfER also urges the City of Springfield to protect human rights at the community level.

Formed in 1997, SAfER has earned the respect of school and community leaders for persistent social justice advocacy, and for organizing events that bring the community together.

 

A Human Right to Shelter and Food

SAfER is keeping homelessness on the public agenda as an issue of economic justice and human rights. We push for policy changes and promote increased services to prevent homelessness and to assist homeless people. We are building a strong, grassroots coalition to achieve these goals.

Springfield Shelter Rights Alliance
The recently formed Springfield Shelter Rights Alliance (SSRA) is organized and led by SAfER. This coalition of congregations, social service providers, the school district, and grassroots activists exists to improve conditions for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. It works to raise community awareness and strengthen community partnerships, increase accessibility to information about services, and promote policy changes to address the needs of those lacking adequate shelter or faced with loss of shelter. The SSRA holds that shelter is a basic human right.

Human Rights Harvest Event
In 2008, SAfER organized a committee to coordinate the first annual Human Rights Harvest event. The event focused on a human right to food and shelter, raising community awareness and making resources known and available. We offered food, clothing swap, entertainment, community resource tables, children’s activities and more. The Human Rights Harvest event will now be organized by the SSRA.

Immigrant Rights and Racial Justice

SAfER is helping Springfield become a community which respects and values diversity and in which people of color feel welcome.

We are strengthening and making visible a cross-cultural, pro-diversity constituency in Springfield. We maintain strong relationships with the Latino/immigrant community, serving as reliable allies. We promote and defend adequate educational programs for immigrant students. We urge the school district to hire, promote and retain educators who reflect the racial/ethnic composition of the student body.

Human Rights Leadership Awards
Presented three times a year to individuals in Springfield who continue the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., Cesar Chavez, and Eleanor Roosevelt.

MLK, Jr. student essay and art contest and community celebration
Showcasing the achievements and talent of students, this family event is organized annually by SAfER, in partnership with the schools, city, and parks and recreation.

Cesar Chavez – Annual Bilingual Commemoration
Featuring youth, organized by SAfER with the schools and community partners. In 2009, we premiered an exciting new short film featuring local youth and community members speaking the words of Cesar Chavez, with images from the farm worker movement.

Advocacy Project
Assists families experiencing discrimination.

Community events
SAfER helps plan and implement the Latino Family Conference and participates in Fiesta Latina, Educators of Color Job Fair, Asian Festival, and other events.

 

LGBTQ Rights

Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/
Transgendered/Questioning

SAfER seeks to advance safety and respect for LGBTQ students, staff and families in the Springfield public schools.

SAfER coordinates the Safe Schools Working Group (SSWG), a collaboration among SAfER, with PFLAG and school personnel. The SSWG works to improve the school climate for gay students, staff and families, or those perceived to be gay. We meet regularly with key administrators to express and resolve concerns and to advance next steps to deal with harassment or discrimination in the schools.

The SSWG promotes education on LGBTQ issues and provides resources to educators. We have organized and facilitate a school-based Safe Schools Network. We support high school Gay/Straight Alliances, assisting with the Day of Silence and other events and activities.