NASI Announces Grassroots Outreach and Education Initiatives to Strengthen Social Security

WASHINGTON, DC – The National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI) announced awards to fourteen grassroots organizations in the second part of its initiative to support greater understanding of Social Security outside the beltway. The grantees will develop targeted informational materials and conduct outreach efforts to their constituencies, which encompass vulnerable groups including people with disabilities, communities of color, women, low-wage workers, young adults, and children.

“Social Security is being hotly discussed inside the beltway, but the groups most dependent on it are often missing from the debates,” said Virginia Reno, Vice President for Income Security at NASI. “These educational efforts will prepare vulnerable groups across the country to better make their voices heard in the public debate on Social Security reform.”

NASI issued the awards as the second round of its “Improving Lives of Vulnerable Americans through Social Security” project, funded by the Ford Foundation. The first awards were made in March of this year. An independent committee named by Janice Gregory, President of NASI, set criteria, reviewed applications, and selected awardees.

The awardees are listed below.

Alliance for Retired Americans Educational Fund
American Stories: The Voices and People of Social Security

The Arc of North Carolina
We Are Part of America’s Promise: Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Raise Their Voice in Support of a Strong Social Security

Athens Community Council on Aging
Voices from the South: How Social Security Affects Rural Populations

Center for Economic and Policy Research; Direct Care Alliance
Retirement Security for Direct Care Workers

Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities
Social Security and People with Disabilities: Public Education and Outreach Campaign

Economic Opportunity Institute
A Comprehensive and Replicable State-based Strategy to Promote and Strengthen Social Security

Empowered Queens United in Action and Leadership (EQUAL)
Organizing to Secure and Improve Social Security: Improving the Program on the Ground in Queens, New York, and Preparing to Defend it Nationally

Generations United
The Stake of Children, Youth, and Grandfamilies in Social Security

Global Policy Solutions; Insight Center for Community and Economic Development Mobilizing Experts of Color to Educate Communities of Color

Institute for Women’s Policy Research
Educating and Mobilizing the Women’s Community to Safeguard Social Security

National Women’s Law Center
Strengthening Social Security for Women

Roosevelt Institute Campus Network
Think 2040: Strengthening Social Security State by State

Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC); National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA); Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Elders (SAGE)
Social Security Community Education & Local Engagement for Vulnerable Constituencies

USAction Education Fund
Improving Lives of Vulnerable Americans through Social Security