Programs

  • Community-Based Research Initiatives

    CIRS CREATES RESEARCH-BASED TOOLS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH RURAL COMMUNITIES OF COLOR WHO ARE WORKING TO ERADICATE WHITE SUPREMACY, TAKE DOWN COLONIAL POWER STRUCTURES AND REPLACE DYSFUNCTIONAL INSTITUTIONS. OUR RESEARCH METHODS REFLECT OUR BELIEF THAT PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO TELL THEIR OWN STORIES AND THAT RESEARCH WHICH DEEPENS THEIR ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND, INTERPRET AND DESCRIBE THEIR LIVED REALITIES IS A KEY FOR SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION. IN 2022, WE MOVED TWO KEY RESEARCH PROJECTS FORWARD: THE COVID-19 FARMWORKER STUDY (COFS) AND THE EASTERN COACHELLA VALLEY DATA PROJECT. THE COVID-19 FARMWORKER STUDY (COFS) PROVIDES CRITICAL MISSING INFORMATION ON FARMWORKERS' ABILITIES TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. THE STUDY BROUGHT TOGETHER A COLLECTIVE OF COMMUNITY- BASED ORGANIZATIONS, RESEARCHERS AND ADVOCATES TO REVEAL INFORMATION THAT CAN ONLY BE GATHERED DIRECTLY FROM FARMWORKERS WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. OUR WORK IN EASTERN COACHELLA VALLEY CONTINUED TO PUSH FOR CHANGES IN ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES THAT INVISIBILIZE AND BURDEN UNINCORPORATED RURAL COMMUNITIES.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jan 1, 2022 – Dec 31, 2022
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $318.5K

  • Digital Storytelling for Rural Voices

    CIRS SHINES A LIGHT ON HIDDEN HISTORIES AND UPLIFTS RURAL VOICES IN CALIFORNIA THROUGH MULTI-MEDIA DIGITAL AND AUDIO STORYTELLING PROJECTS. IN 2022, OUR STORYTELLING TEAM RELEASED THE PODCAST SERIES FOR AN EAR TO THE GROUND, WHICH UPLIFTED HISTORIES OF LATINO FARMERS IN RURAL CALIFORNIA.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jan 1, 2022 – Dec 31, 2022
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $104.5K

  • Rural Justice Community Organizing

    CIRS' COMMUNITY ORGANIZING WORK BRINGS TOGETHER A CONSTELLATION OF RURAL PEOPLE FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE INCLUDING COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS, ARTISTS, HEALING PRACTITIONERS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND RESEARCHERS THROUGH ONLINE AND IN-PERSON EVENTS AND PARTICIPATION IN COALITION WORK. IN 2022 CIRS HOSTED OUR FIRST IN-PERSON RURAL JUSTICE SUMMIT SINCE THE PANDEMIC. WE ALSO PARTICIPATED IN NATIONAL COALITION WORK THROUGH THE FOOD CHAIN WORKERS ALLIANCE AND THE DIGNITY CAMPAIGN FOR WORKERS RIGHTS.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jan 1, 2022 – Dec 31, 2022
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $172.1K