GRAHAM WINDHAM

Graham provides innovative, life-changing tools and resources for children, young adults, and families facing some of the most difficult obstacles caused by poverty, racial injustice, and lack of access to educational opportunities, living wage employment, quality healthcare, and affordable housing.

We collaborate with communities and strong partners to create and implement strategies so everyone can lead healthy, joyful, and successful lives.

Advocacy and Public Policy Associate

Location: Brooklyn, NY
Hybrid or Remote: Hybrid (2 days in-person at the Brooklyn office)
Supervisor: Chief Strategy Officer and General Counsel


JOB DESCRIPTION

The Weil Legal Innovator will play a pivotal role in Graham's advocacy work and advancing the policy objectives most important to our community, while also supporting Graham's impactful daily work. The Innovator will report directly to Graham's Chief Strategy Officer and General Counsel and will take the lead on researching policy issues, designing bold alternatives, coordinating and attending meetings with elected officials, community members, and thought leaders, developing advocacy strategies, and advancing strategic initiatives. The Innovator will also provide support to Graham's General Counsel by conducting research on pertinent legal topics and helping to improve and implement policies across the organization.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Among other responsibilities, the Weil Legal Innovator would:

  • Coordinate, prepare briefings for, and attend meetings with legislators.
  • Develop white papers and make recommendations to Graham leaders on actions to take on pending legislation.
  • Conduct outreach, submit proposals, and plan events with community leaders and elected officials.
  • Support the development and execution of advocacy strategies for legislative change as well as fundraising.
  • Research and co-design alternatives to the child welfare system and potential pilot programs.
  • Attend and report back on conferences, convenings, public hearings, and community events.
  • Provide concrete assistance on legal matters involving health, safety, privacy, litigation, compliance, tax, finance, governance, employment, and more.

 

Specific areas of advocacy focus may include:

  • Addressing the root causes of involvement in the child welfare and other punitive systems (e.g., mandated reporter laws, the federal child tax credit, universal childcare, NYC and NYS housing subsidies, Cash Transfer Initiative for youth aging out of foster care).
  • Addressing systemic biases in child welfare (e.g., through determining how to join with parent activists on legislation/policy changes, such as redefining child neglect so as not to punish families for poverty and ending anonymous (versus confidential) reporting policy to deter false and malicious reports).
  • Expanding education and employment opportunities for youth who are living in under-resourced communities.
  • Equitable, just salaries for human services staff.
  • Raising government funds to support Graham's work and innovative pilot programs.

 

DESIRED SKILLS

  • Excellent writer and editor.
  • Outstanding verbal communication skills.
  • Keen analytical skills.
  • Strong ability to conduct research and summarize findings clearly for an executive audience.
  • Eagerness to learn and willingness to jump in and complete many types of assignments.
  • Excellent time management and organizational skills.
  • Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
  • Ability to work collegially with a wide range of people.
  • Must have a passion for Graham’s mission and pillars.

Community Advocacy Associate

Location: Bronx, NY
Hybrid or Remote: Hybrid (2 days in-person at the Bronx office)
Supervisor: Senior Director for Community Leadership Development and General Counsel


JOB DESCRIPTION

The Weil Legal Innovator will serve as a legal and policy advocate in the East Tremont and Hunts Point communities of the Bronx. This role promotes community involvement and critical thinking in civic engagement and advocacy efforts. By informing the community about policies, laws, and regulations that affect the Bronx, the Weil Legal Innovator can enhance understanding, identify intersections between community concerns and policies, coach community members to articulate their ideas and positions for better outcomes, and walk alongside them as they lift up community priorities to local and state officials. The Bronx has borne the brunt of harmful disinvestment, systemic discrimination, and political indifference for generations, and has responded with groundbreaking art, joy, resilience, and exemplary leadership. We invite you to join the good fight.

Active strategies and engagement with local community boards and precinct council groups, along with city and state officials, will help strengthen leadership and amplify community voices. As one example, meet Ms. Millie, a dedicated pillar of our community. As a long-time member of the Graham Centers, she volunteers and leads various efforts to uplift those around her. Now serving as the Precinct Council President, Ms. Millie is a dynamic advocate for change, tirelessly working to inspire others. We envision the Weil Innovator as a vital ally in supporting community leaders like Ms. Millie. The aim is to develop strategies that deepen engagement and boost voting participation in the South Bronx. This initiative is about building on our collective influence on democracy, enhancing civic engagement, and shaping a just legal landscape for everyone.

The WLI will report jointly to Graham's Senior Director for Community Leadership Development and General Counsel and make a concrete, meaningful impact on Graham's civic and advocacy work in the community. The Innovator will play a direct role in amplifying the community's voice through listening sessions and events with elected officials and other leaders; expanding awareness of, and access to, available resources for educational opportunities and economic independence; identifying legal issues and connecting individuals with legal support and advocacy in areas of immigration law, orders of protection, eviction defense, etc.; and uplifting the community's concerns through Graham's advocacy work and through partnerships with other community activists.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Among other responsibilities, the Weil Legal Innovator would:

  • Engage in radical listening with community members to learn what changes the community would most like to see. They will then work with community members to advocate for these changes and make the audience feel the power of their voice in shaping their environment.
  • Play a key role in coordinating summits to bring together community members and elected officials. These events will foster a sense of unity and collaboration, making the audience feel the power of collective action in community development.
  • Become informed about pertinent policies, laws and regulations that are affecting the community, and will expand awareness about issues that the community identifies.
  • Identify and foster relationships with pro bono legal organizations; secure legal services for community members to address their specific concerns (e.g., in areas of immigration, orders of protection, eviction defense).
  • Work closely with the community to create neighborhood projects to identify housing rehabilitation, public space improvements and lighting for community safety, particularly the Hunts Point communities that are under-resourced.
  • Work within the community to expand their knowledge of equitable, just salaries in various fields, trades, and professions.
  • Partner with Graham's advocacy team to inform them of their priorities and raise community concerns.

 

DESIRED SKILLS

  • Excellent writer and editor.
  • Outstanding verbal communication skills.
  • Keen analytical skills.
  • Eagerness to learn and adapt and willingness to jump in and complete many types of assignments.
  • Excellent time management and organizational skills.
  • Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with different audiences.
  • Ability to work collegially with a wide range of people.
  • Must have a passion for Graham’s mission and pillars.

Nonprofit Partners