ABOUT US
Mission
Arizona Center for Empowerment (ACE) is a 501(c)3 member-led social justice organization that develops and mobilizes undocumented working youth and adults, students, and LGBTQ individuals to strategically take ownership and responsibility to advance economic, social, and racial justice. By building power through leadership development, Citizenship, civic engagement, advocacy and education, we are creating a more inclusive and just standard of equality in the state of Arizona. Income equality, protection of public education, immigrant rights, and health care are just a few of ACE’s priorities in creating a better Arizona for all.
Values
Since 2009, Arizona Center for Empowerment (ACE) has been providing services and building the power of working people in Arizona. ACE was born as a response to SB 1070 and the anti-immigrant sentiment that was growing in Arizona and across the nation. ACE is a power building organization: we organize the multi-racial working class- the Undocumented, youth, low-income individuals, and people of color- to build long-term social and institutional power. We co-create people-centered policy to create healthy, equitable living conditions and an economy that works for all of us.
Working with ACE supporters, it became clear that they wanted more than a narrow focus on immigrant rights- they wanted a living wage, worker’s rights, a stronger democracy, a healthy environment, and, overall, an Arizona that meets the needs of all people. In 2016, ACE, alongside its sister organization, LUCHA, led a grassroots campaign to pass Prop 206, which would increase the minimum wage and paid sick days. Against all odds, ACE won that fight.
Since then, ACE has continued to lead with directly-impacted communities by providing services, building their leadership, elevating their stories, and centering their policy demands. Seven years ago, we held over 2,500 community conversations and listening sessions, and conducted surveys, to more deeply understand what our members want and need to thrive. Together, we identified the core life changing issues that would bring a better quality of life to working class communities in Arizona. These conversations led to the creation of the multi-issue People First Economy platform- a multi-issue campaign and ACE-led, non-partisan coalition focused on a diverse set of issues:
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DEMOCRACY AND ACCESS TO THE BALLOT
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IMMIGRATION
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WORKER JUSTICE (PAID LEAVE)
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AFFORDABLE HOUSING
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ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION
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ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
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CORPORATE TAX FAIRNESS