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About
Mission
To build a coalition of individuals and families in Fresno County who are committed to making our community a healthier and more equitable place to live. Through authentic relationships, dialogue, and action, we equip and empower residents to be informed and engaged with local, social justice issues.
Vision
A diverse coalition of residents representing every district in Fresno County who are informed, equipped, and mobilized to support social justice efforts.
Woven Coalition for Justice (WCJ) is a new 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in Fresno, Calif. Woven began after a group of local leaders involved in social justice work saw a need in the community to cultivate and mobilize a new network of advocates who identify as progressive, but lack the training and/or information on how to get involved. The organization’s name is an offshoot of Woven Community, a faith-based organization in Fresno that was founded in 2013. Founded by Rev. Simon Biasell, Woven Community aims to be a safe place for all who attend to learn, process, and grow. Unlike many congregations in Fresno, Woven is committed to being open and affirming of all of God’s people, and is inclusive of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
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Woven Coalition for Justice is not a faith-based organization, but the experiences and social justice efforts of Woven Community have catalyzed the formation of this new non-profit. Through his position with Woven Community, Rev. Biasell has developed relationships with interfaith groups, local non-profit leaders, and social justice advocacy groups. Through these relationships, Woven Community’s leadership has been invited to stand alongside marginalized communities and amplify their voices. Woven has been involved with several social justice issues in Fresno including in support of Advance Peace, raising of the Pride Flag at City Hall, LGBTQ+ equality events, Black Lives Matter march, and conversations around affordable housing and rent protection. Through these advocacy events, it became apparent that there is a growing number of residents who identify as progressives who want to get involved and help their community, but do not know how or where to start.
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In September 2022, a diverse group of individuals gathered and strategized on how to get more people involved with social justice work in the Fresno area, specifically around policy change. Woven Coalition for Justice was launched as a separate entity to partner with existing organizations to amplify their mission to a broader audience, and to equip and empower residents in higher-income neighborhoods who identify as progressive, to become engaged with local, social justice work.