Just Power
We build power alongside impacted people to transform unjust systems so that everyone can reach their full potential.
We hire impacted people for eight-month paid fellowships that are designed to build their power and leadership skills to support systems change.
We coordinate a network of directly-impacted consultants who have been deeply involved in our work, such as fellowship alumni or Just Income storytellers.
We run long-term campaigns to change policies that limit the economic security and opportunity for impacted people.
Fellowships
Program
We hire justice-impacted people for eight-month paid fellowships that are designed to build their power and leadership skills to support systems change.
Fellows engage across all of Community Spring’s work and have access to professional development training and support.
Fellows also spearhead an individual project that seeks to address a systemic barrier they have confronted in their own lives, offering an opportunity to design and implement narrative and policy solutions while gaining real-world advocacy experience.
Who should apply?
Anyone who meets the following criteria is eligible to apply:
Directly impacted by poverty
Directly impacted by the justice system
At least 18 years old
Eligible to work in the United States
Has basic computer skills such as typing and email
Ideal candidates are open-minded, work well as part of a team and are motivated to make a positive difference in their community. We seek to hire a diverse group of people with different backgrounds, experiences, and views.
You do not need to have a background in community organizing or experience in an office setting - in fact we are looking for people who want to build new skills. This fellowship is about both training and doing.
Applications for the fellowship is currently closed.
What impact has the fellowship had on fellows?
Previous Fellowships
In previous years, we had a cohort model where each year the campaign issue area would change depending on who made up the fellowship class. Fellows could choose from any issue area related to economic justice — ranging from affordable housing to criminal justice.
The focus area is determined at the beginning of each fellowship class through a consensus-based process. This involved several days of facilitated discussions and storytelling exercises that provided space for fellows to identify the most significant problems in their communities, see how their experiences overlap, and consider solutions to those problems.
Though we have honed our focus to criminal justice-related issues, every fellowship cohort played a critical role in this shift.
2023-2024 Project
The Decriminalize Poverty! fellowship envisioned a community that maintains public safety without relying on the criminalization of poverty and overpolicing of low-income individuals and neighborhoods.
2022-2023 Project
The Links Not Locks fellowship envisioned a community that doesn’t use incarceration as the answer to public health issues but instead connects people to mental, behavioral, and cultural resources that are rooted in the community.
2021-2022 Project
The Lighthouse Initiative envisioned a community where everyone has access to stable, affordable housing where they can feel at home. Removing structural barriers to housing will spur economic mobility community-wide.
2020-2021 Project
Torchlighters Re-Entry Support envisions a community where formerly incarcerated people are welcomed with open arms and given support to thrive in their new lives.
2020 Project
COVID-19 shed light on inequities in our broken systems that we have been feeling for a long time. How we respond to this crisis and rebuild our communities must be guided by people’s experiences.
Consultants
We coordinate a network of directly-impacted consultants who have been deeply involved in our work, such as fellowship alumni or Just Income storytellers.
Consultants are paid to support Community Spring’s broader work through outreach, policy advocacy and narrative change, while continuing to build their power and leadership skills.
As experts in the systemic barriers that limit opportunity and inclusion, consultants also act as an advisory board and help to shape our policy and narrative change goals and strategies.
Campaigns
We run long-term campaigns to change policies that limit the economic security and opportunity for impacted people. Most of our campaigns are focused on a local level, including Too Poor To Be Free, Alternative First Responder, and Fair Chance Hiring.
We also partner with state and national organizations to support their campaigns, including Fines and Fees Justice Center, Florida Policy Institute and the Protected Class Network.
Too Poor to Be Free
Fines and fees tied to the justice system keep people trapped in poverty.
Former prisoners face overwhelming debts, including supervision costs, urinalysis, electronic monitoring, and mandatory classes. If these payments cannot be made, the person can be re-incarcerated.
Alternative First Responder
Our community needs an alternative first responder program, with teams of mental health clinicians and medics that can be dispatched via 911, 988 and a non-emergency line for low-risk, non-emergency calls.
This program would divert people from jail and connect them to the support they need to thrive.
Fair Chance Hiring
People with records are often unfairly turned away from jobs despite being motivated and qualified.
We started advocating for fair chance policies with our first fellowship class, Torchlighters Re-entry Support. In Dec. ‘22, Gainesville became the first city in Florida to pass a Fair Chance Hiring law for private employers.