2022 National Welfare Rights Conference - Baltimore, MD June 15th & 16th

National Welfare Rights Conference 

June 15th & 16th 2022 - Baltimore, Maryland

THE CONFERENCE IS NOW LIVE ON ZOOM!

Click Here to Join Us ---> tinyurl.com/NWRUzoom

And use this passcode ---> 1963

Join us for this year's conference! All are welcome. All tickets and meals are free. Donations welcome but optional. PLEASE REGISTER ASAP so we know how many people will be attending. Additional events on 17th & 18th at end of agenda.

To make a donation please click here for the conference donation page. https://donorbox.org/nwru2022

Location of Conference Venue: St. Vincent de Paul Church

120 North Front Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202

Click here for directions to the conference venue.

Parking at Conference Venue:

Limited free parking is available. Please indicate if you need parking on your conference registration. Metered city street parking is available on Front Street.

Public Transportation to Conference Venue:

Bus stop available on corner of Fayette St & Front St.

2 blocks from Shot Tower Metro subway stop.

3 blocks from Baltimore City Hall & nearby bus stops.

Closest Charm City Circulator Green Line stops at 109, 110 & 115.

Hotel for Out-of-Town Visitors: Holiday Inn Express Baltimore-Downtown

Many hotel options are available near Baltimore City Hall, Downtown & Inner Harbor areas. All of which are relatively close to the conference venue. Most National Welfare Rights Union (NWRU) members have chosen to stay at this specific hotel which is 2 blocks to the venue. NWRU members will be traveling in groups back and forth to the venue and hotel throughout the conference. This hotel provides breakfast & accessible rooms.

Conference Agenda

●  Wednesday - June 15th

◦ 11am - Session 1 - Welcome to Baltimore: Introduction to Local & Regional Struggles led by Rev. Annie Chambers: Activists, organizers, & allies report on local struggles. Local reports include the Baltimore Prisoner Solidarity Committee, Unemployed Workers Union, & more. Regional Reports from nearby organizations (NY, PA, etc.) as well. Plenty of time for questions at the end.

◦ 1pm Lunch Break - Lunch is served in conference venue cafetorium.

◦ 2pm - Session 2 - How did you come to Welfare Rights? Speakers include Rev. Annie Chambers, NoLa WR President Viola Washington, NWRU Co-President Marian Kramer, Mary B-J, Maureen Taylor, Willie Baptist. Plenty of time for questions at the end. 

◦ 4pm Afternoon Break

◦ 5pm to 6:30pm - Video Presentations lead by Carolyn Baker of the General Baker Institute and Poor People's Campaign. Time for questions at the end. Also sign making supplies for Friday’s march will be available. Dinner will be served.

◦ 6:30pm to 8pm - Evening Session - Which Way Welfare Rights Organization? Led by author Willie Baptist & National Union of the Homeless leader Kristin Colangelo. Time for questions at the end. Also sign making and dinner will continue.

●  Thursday - June 16th

◦ 10am - Session 1 - History of Welfare Rights Part 1: Telling & Recording our History - A look back at the major events in NWR history including the original PPC, NoLA, Las Vegas, and more. Led by Rev. Annie Chambers & Marian Kramer. Time for questions in next session.

◦ 11:30am Short Break

◦ 12pm - Session 2 - History of Welfare Rights Part 2: Our time to reflect and engage in dialogue with our leaders and each other about our common struggle throughout NWR history. Everything you always wanted to ask about, now's your chance. Plenty of time for questions.

◦ 1pm Lunch Break - Lunch is served in conference venue cafetorium.

◦ 2pm - Session 3 - NWRU Speakers: How Did you Come to Welfare Rights? 

Part 1: Economic Lens and Truth Commission. Led by Professor Mary BJ and Michigan WR Maureen Taylor. 

Part 2: The Water Wars. Led by Sylvia and Nicole. 

Part 3: Food Security & Affordable Housing Issues Then & Now. Led by Michelle and Savina.

◦ 5pm Afternoon / Evening Break

◦ 5:30pm - Doors re-open at conference venue to setup for evening event.

◦ 6pm to 8pm - Evening Event - Celebrating the 55th Anniversary of Welfare Rights: Rev. Annie Chambers will MC. We'll be honoring Marian Kramer. Plenty of time for questions at the end. Dinner will be served.

- Conference Ends - 

Please join us for two additional events happening after the conference:

●  Friday - June 17th - We March to Washington!

Join us as we march from Baltimore, MD to Washington, DC. More information can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/Bmore2DC

Transportation & accommodations will be made available.

●  Saturday - June 18th - National Welfare Rights Union Speaks at the Poor People’s Campaign in Washington DC. More information can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/PPCinDC

Transportation back to Baltimore for those that participated in Friday's march will be available.