Philadelphia has some of the strongest worker protection laws in the country, but many workers still don’t know about their rights. In a city of 1.5 million people, reaching everyone can be a challenge. As Engagement Specialist Sean Jin said: “Rights don’t work if you don’t know about them.”
That’s why the Department of Labor started the Community Outreach and Education Fund (COEF). It’s a program that helps reach people in every corner of the city by empowering community groups who know their communities best.
On June 17, these community groups gathered to share how they’ve been reaching workers. It was an opportunity to highlight their accomplishments and learn from each other.
Philadelphia Black Worker Project (PBWP)
PBWP supports low-wage Black workers who often face wage theft, unsafe working conditions, and discrimination. Many workers are afraid to speak up, so PBWP focuses on building trust in this community.
“The Department of Labor’s Office of Worker Protections has provided organizers at Philly Black Worker Project with training, tools, and literature to educate workers about their rights in the workplace,” PBWP’s Strategic Enforcement Organizer Kwame Acheampong told us. “This has resulted in our community being more informed about their rights and provided them with the agency to demand better workplaces. OWP’s resources have been crucial in our mission to empower Black and Brown workers.”
El Comité de Trabajadorxs de Restaurante (Committee of Restaurant Workers)
El Comité works with immigrant workers in the restaurant industry, most of whom are women. Their goal is to help people understand their rights and stay safe on the job. El Comité canvassed 401 restaurants and conducted regular outreach at FDR Park’s Southeast Asian and Latino markets. They also created mini-workshops to teach about sexual harassment in the restaurant industry and worker protections.
“We are really thankful for the Department of Labor and Office of Worker Protections for the partnership in funding our outreach strategies. Through this funding is how we were able to meet and educate over 125 workers!”
VietLead
VietLead serves Philadelphia’s Vietnamese community of more than 17,000 people. Their work included hosting four worker trainings, canvassing businesses, and distributing worker surveys. They are focused on building strong relationships and trust in the community.
VietLead noted how important it was for the Department of Labor’s outreach team to meet with the community at an in-person event. “Our community members were surprised to learn how many protections there are for workers in Philly,” Bay Nguyen, VietLead’s membership director, told us. “The COEF is vital and makes this work possible. We’re very grateful for it!”
National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA)
NDWA organizes and educates nannies, caregivers, house cleaners, and other domestic workers. These workers often work alone in private homes, and most are Black and Latina women. As NDWA’s Pennsylvania Director Nicole Kligman explained: “Domestic work is the work that makes all other work possible.”
COEF funding helped NDWA continue its long-term outreach to a multilingual, multiracial group of domestic workers. Their work includes educating workers about Philadelphia’s Domestic Workers Bill of Rights.
Why this work matters
Across all organizations, the message was clear: workers are happier, healthier, and more confident when they know their rights. COEF helps make that possible by supporting trusted community partners who reach workers where they are. Together, these groups are helping build a stronger, safer, and greener Philadelphia for all.
COEF funding is awarded by an independent committee comprised of community members, labor leaders, and partners from other City departments, including Commerce and Public Health.
