Today we are excited to launch our fifth annual Poverty Action Week focused on frontline essential workers, particularly those whose contributions are often less visible and recognized.

Each year, the Blum Center team highlights an issue of importance to our campus and local community, and amplifies existing campaigns and ways to get involved.

In this year's campaign we shine a spotlight on the often overlooked frontline essential workers sustaining our economy and society in such sectors as farming, grocery and delivery, and transportation, and on our campus in graduate research, dining and custodial services.

During this week (May 17th-21st) we will hold a virtual information campaign with daily posts outlining key information, trends, and challenges faced by these less visible frontline essential workers both inside and outside the workplace, as well as local ways to get involved in better recognizing and supporting these critical workers.

Our keynote event will be a Pop Up Discussion on Thursday, May 20th from 5-6:30PM about the history of inequalities in workplace conditions, wages, and benefits faced by these frontline workers, as well as collective efforts to better support and recognize the essential role of these workers in our economy and society.  Featuring faculty, local community advocates, and essential workers from campus, we hope to deepen our understanding of the true reality frontline essential workers face and how COVID could be the point of reckoning for change. Follow this link to RSVP and receive a link to this event.

Stay tuned to our Instagram, Facebook, and website for our daily posts this week, and click here for more information about our Pop Up Discussion on May 20th!

This year's Poverty Action Week is co-sponsored by the Fund for Santa Barbara.