Community Organizer (CO)

Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation (CHLDC) is a community-based not-for-profit development corporation and settlement house that offers comprehensive housing preservation, youth and family services, career and education, college success, and organizing programs. With community residents leading the way, the mission of Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation is to build a strong, sustainable Cypress Hills/East New York, where youth and adults achieve educational and economic success, secure healthy and affordable housing and develop leadership skills to transform their lives and community. We also advance racial equity and engage community residents in planning for the future of the neighborhood and in fighting against unjust policies and conditions.

CHLDC is a member of the Coalition for Community Advancement (CCA), a coalition of houses of worship, community groups, residents and small businesses and provides organizing support to the Coalition. CCA brings together the communities of East New York to advocate for housing and economic equity justice by unapologetically confronting the historic and racist disinvestment of East New York, advocating for private and public investments and policy change and organizing local tenants, homeowners and small businesses to enhance engines of economic power and generational wealth, is seeking a full-time Community Organizer.

We value experience with grassroots organizing in low-income communities of color and a commitment to housing and economic security for Black and Brown East New Yorkers. We are looking for applicants who can support the Coalition’s economic or housing campaign work as well as support the base building of those campaigns. CCA is currently advocating against real estate speculation, house flipping and destructive, proposed up-zonings In East New York and mobilizing for preservation and development of manufacturing jobs in the Industrial Business Zone. CCA is also part of a citywide coalition that is organizing for new legislation that would protect BIPOC homeowners and make first time home buying in NYC more affordable.

Principal Duties:

• Lead the economic or housing justice campaigns of CCA. Support members to participate in committees, through active participation in bi-weekly organizing meetings, meetings with targets and allies, and participating in campaign actions, such as public hearings, protests, town halls and press conferences.

• Organize residents in the community around economic and housing issues to identify solutions and to advocate for just policies and a community vision for investment and equitable housing and economic development. This includes:

• Lead campaign development on housing or economic issues within the community

• Train residents in organizing, including outreach; setting strategy, implementing campaigns; and carrying out actions

• Cultivate political education and leadership within the group

• Coordinate regular campaign meetings

• Facilitate leadership development workshops for residents, including curriculum design and adaptation.

• Co-lead along with a PT Outreach Base Building Organizer base building tactics to grow the base of CCA and our campaigns

• Work in partnership with other organizers in Citywide Coalitions and CHLDC staff to support CCA’s work

• Other duties as assigned

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor’s or higher in relevant fields
• Two to three years of experience in community organi