Issue Areas and Project Teams

At present our project teams meet collectively at the monthly action meeting. To join a project team, reach out to one of the team leaders or write to grassrootsalexandria@gmail.com. To hear about the action meeting, and other events, read or subscribe to our announcements.

Education

Our Restorative Practices project advocates for greater use of restorative practices (versus punitive measures, such as suspension) in the Alexandria City Public School system.

Healthcare

The Medicare For All project is seeking a resolution for support from City Council. For background see https://linktr.ee/AlexandriaM4A .

Housing

Grassroots Alexandria currently a member of the Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness. Here, we work to obtain PPEH support in our advocacy for greater housing supply, especially designated affordable housing, and housing supports, such as housing vouchers.

We also are part of a coalition, including the Legal Aid Justice Center and Tenants and Workers United. In this project, we are advocating for working-class affordable (30-40% AMI) housing in the Arlandria/Chirilagua neighborhood. We are also advocating for a successful “ready to rent”  program to make sure that current residents of that neighborhood can access new affordable housing in that neighborhood.

 Immigrant Communities

Currently, our ICE Out of Alexandria project is gathering information, building a team, and developing an advocacy plan. We are coordinating with Tenants and Workers United and the Legal Aid Justice Center to reduce the cooperation between the Alexandria Sheriff’s office and ICE, the federal agency that has deported so many of our neighbors. Deportation tears at the fabric of families and communities.

Transportation Equity

Our shared community goal is to achieve a safe, high-capacity, equitable transportation system that provides access to both joy and jobs.

Our Duke Street Transitway project team shares personal stories with City Council members, and with other decision makers, about the value and importance of the Duke Street Advisory Group’s recommended alternative: center-running bus lanes with separate spaces for pedestrians and cyclists.

Our Alexandria Transit Vision Plan project team Educate the public and city officials on the value and importance of high-frequency bus service in high-density neighborhoods. Robust transit, promised in the  Alexandria Transit Vision Plan, is necessary to meet the city’s economic, equity and climate goals and objectives.

Our Zero Fare Bus Service team advocates for the continuation of Zero Fare DASH bus service for low-income residents. This program has been a step forward for public health and equity in Alexandria.

Our currently-active projects are listed above. After accomplishing several local victories each, our Anti-Fascism, Environmental Stewardship, and LGBTQ project teams are no longer active.