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.
Systems Change Fellowship
Policy Campaigns
We run long-term campaigns to expand economic security and opportunity for impacted people.
We coordinate a network of directly-impacted consultants who have been deeply involved in our work, such as fellowship alumni or storytellers.
The Systems Change Fellowship
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.
Check out some of our previous fellowship projects.
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.
We accept applications on a rolling basis.
If you are interested, please fill out our interest form.
We only invite applications a few times a year. Filling out this interest form, helps us understand who is interested. This is not a job application.
Policy Campaigns
We lead policy campaigns to expand opportunity for impacted people, with a focus on fines and fees, employment, and housing. 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.
Fines and Fees
Fines and fees tied to the justice system keep people trapped in poverty.
Formerly incarcerated people face overwhelming debts, including supervision costs, urinalysis, electronic monitoring, and mandatory classes. If these payments cannot be made, the person can be re-incarcerated.
Employment
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. 2022, Gainesville became the first city in Florida to pass a Fair Chance Hiring law for private employers.
Housing
Housing is a basic human need, like food and clothing, and yet people with records face constant discrimination when they try to find a place to live.
We work to develop creative policy solutions that expand housing access and lower the unnecessary screening barriers that lock people out of decent, stable housing.
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 help to shape our policy and narrative change goals and strategies.
Together, we can end the cycle of poverty and mass incarceration.
Mass incarceration is both a cause and effect of poverty. Community Spring is responding by expanding access to income, advocating for policy change, and shifting harmful narratives.