Who We Are
Our
Mission
To build power for justice in Latinx, Black, immigrant, and working-class communities. Empower community members to be the principal agents and leaders in challenging and dismantling systemic oppression through community organizing, policy innovation, transformative education, civic engagement and advocacy.
MRPA envisions our work planting the seeds of collective liberation, helping to build a world based on justice and equality, where there is respect and dignity in all aspects of our lives, and where communities exercise self-determination. We empower individuals and communities to transform the balance of power – at work, at home, at school, and in any other public or private institution that makes decisions that impact us. We envision a more democratic way of building collective power, fostering participatory democracy inside and outside MRPA in order to take on bigger and bigger fights. We aspire to exercise that power to deliver lasting solutions to the problems facing our communities, including advancing racial and economic justice, pro-immigrant, pro-worker, pro-LGBTQ equality solutions, safe and affordable housing, and quality education for all.
Our
Vision
Since 2014 we have fought to ensure respect and dignity for immigrant, poor, and working-class people across the state.
MRPA started by knocking on doors in Reading, PA, and reaching out to community members to ask them what they wanted to see changed in their neighborhoods and the state. Since then, we have dedicated ourselves to changing the state's narrative and putting our members' stories, their everyday struggles, and what matters to them to the forefront while also expanding to Allentown and Northeast Philadelphia.
Because of the dedication of our members, 14,000 people now see us as the place where they build power and community. It is because of the strength of the members that we have been able to grow and run robust programs that help thousands of community members each year.
Together, we have done work to shut down the Berks Detention Center, protect workers, seek climate justice, and protect our immigrant communities. Although the work is far from over, we are closer than ever to achieving our victories because of our membership and their relentless fight to ensure respect and dignity for all.
Our Story
Our Values
Justice & Equity
We work for a world that values the inherent dignity of every human being, and for an end to all forms of oppression and exploitation.
Leadership & Power
We believe in developing leadership among those directly affected by the injustices we challenge, and that every person deserves a voice in the issues that affect them most. We believe that good leaders are accountable to a large and engaged membership base and that our power is directly related to the size and engagement of this base.
Respect & Interdependence
We work hard to make sure that everyone feels welcomed to the organization, as well as valued, supported, and included in our work. We strive to achieve effective collaboration across the organization and with people outside the organization by engaging in shared struggle and direct, authentic, and compassionate communication.
Struggle & Sustainability
We believe that our struggle for justice will be a long one, and we commit to taking care of ourselves and each other, so that we can continue fighting for justice for a long time to come.