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The Community Service Society is committed to an action oriented agenda on behalf of low-income New Yorkers and pursues systemic change in conditions impacting this population through a variety of methods.

Our advocacy agenda includes research into labor market conditions and analysis of trends that affect the working poor, including our annual “Unheard Third” survey; the first and only such survey in the nation that takes the pulse of the working poor. CSS also engages in aggressive lobbying at all levels of government to influence executive and legislative leadership to commit to a human capital agenda that focuses on three primary areas: work, health and wellness, and housing.

Our work is also rooted in creating strategic partnerships with allied not-for-profit institutions and corporations that are committed to the elimination of barriers to employment, and support universal health care and affordable housing - and see the working poor of New York City as an essential link to the city’s future growth. We see our role as setting the conditions for substantive change and working with aligned interests to insure that public policy reflects the needs and priorities of the working poor.

CSS’ advocacy agenda also includes providing legal representation for poor New Yorkers facing eviction, working toward the elimination of barriers to employment for the formerly incarcerated and litigation when circumstances require court intervention.

Our work also includes convening advocates around areas of mutual interest, including our New York Reentry Roundtable, Cornerstone for Coverage Health Campaign and the Working for Change Forum, our monthly forum on Capitol Hill in the nation’s capital.


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