Field Notes: What’s Working & What’s Hard by Determined Anchovy

pemmanuelli — 2025-05-01 15:46:50 UTC

Eliminating programing initiatives to meet executive orders on paper and shifting this work without a paper trail (e.g. DEI taskforce)

2025-05-01 15:47:24 UTC

Uncertainty in funding has changed the direction of our projects and our daily work

2025-05-01 15:47:33 UTC

Accessing resources due to fear

2025-05-01 15:47:46 UTC

it's hard to support grantees when we are in the same boat

2025-05-01 15:48:02 UTC

Strengthening their networks to address challenges collectively (i.e. asambleas, etc.)

vanesa360 — 2025-05-01 15:48:07 UTC

safety planning around potential ice raids with larger group programming. Setting up protocols in case something does happen

2025-05-01 15:48:09 UTC

timelines affected leads to extra work

2025-05-01 15:48:09 UTC

Little to no alternative funding sources (outside of federal funding)

2025-05-01 15:48:13 UTC

Verifying language with leadership for what we can and can't use in training

2025-05-01 15:48:44 UTC

Culturally specific organizations and community based organizations do not have unrestricted funds that could cover the cost the OVC funding covered. This meant cease all work immediately and layoff staff. Even though funds were reinstated, organization could not access the funds.

pemmanuelli — 2025-05-01 15:48:46 UTC

Safety planning around local and state immigration enforcement

2025-05-01 15:48:55 UTC

Seeing our partners diminish. Staff being laid off, programs in danger of closing

2025-05-01 15:49:08 UTC

More one-on-one TA to circumvent funder review and approval

2025-05-01 15:49:08 UTC

not being able to talk about the work / provide TTA in an authentic way for the sake of self-preservation

2025-05-01 15:49:56 UTC

Having to rewrite grant reports because of language. Double work

2025-05-01 15:50:01 UTC

Safety planning in nontraditional spaces - local businesses for example

2025-05-01 15:50:14 UTC

Seeing how partner agencies are being defunded specifically.

2025-05-01 15:50:22 UTC

Using the federal funding cuts to bolster donor stewardship.

2025-05-01 15:50:25 UTC

Cancelling trainings for grantees who have requested them and feeling hopeless that we can't support them, or make a difference in our work

2025-05-01 15:50:31 UTC

Lack of approval and necessary funding to move forward with projects and tool creation that support organizations and direct service providers that work with survivors (we're not being able to show up and genuinely support and assist those who support)

2025-05-01 15:50:34 UTC

Advocacy groups and nonprofits organized and hosted a webinar for the organizations who lost funding on how to advocate to access funding when the funds were reinstated. EU staff reached out to culturally specific organizations to let them know of this opportunity.

2025-05-01 15:51:32 UTC

Immigrant and undocumented survivors have been afraid to reach out for services because of ICE raids

2025-05-01 15:51:39 UTC

Increased levels of burnout.

2025-05-01 15:52:16 UTC

Advocating and hoping for the positive change and services survivors and communities deserve, while also preparing for the worst and our current reality. For example, the Hotline is sharing widely a document with instructions on how to roll over hotline numbers to their organization for those who have lost funding.

2025-05-01 15:52:30 UTC

CSO have downsized closing satellite offices and keeping one central office.

pemmanuelli — 2025-05-01 15:52:32 UTC

Expanding language to continue the work for example Encuentros in place of panel

2025-05-01 15:52:37 UTC

not knowing whether to leave the organization or stay due to funding uncertainty

2025-05-01 15:53:11 UTC

Important partnerships we've worked a long time building being on hold (or no longer present) due to executive orders and how they restrict our work within the organization

2025-05-01 15:53:22 UTC

CSO have received death threats since January 2025.

2025-05-01 15:53:42 UTC

being in unprecedented times not knowing what will come next

vanesa360 — 2025-05-01 15:53:44 UTC

co-op model! It provides community safety, brings community together and offers strategies folks need at this time to resist/endure

2025-05-01 15:54:17 UTC

Getting creative on ways to talk about cultural responsiveness

2025-05-01 15:54:24 UTC

There has been more of a concentrated effort on applying for non-restrictive funds such as foundations to fund Promotora work.

2025-05-01 15:54:38 UTC

Seeing organizations come together to stand up against the administration and the cuts to funding. Other national organizations have created toolkits around how to support. I have not seen Esperanza United share these toolkits or post on social media about these cuts and how they are directly affecting survivors and employees.

vanesa360 — 2025-05-01 15:54:58 UTC

Private funding!

2025-05-01 15:55:24 UTC

In policy: Dividing issue areas so each person/org can thoroughly track and analyze their portfolios and share info/resources/advocacy needs and opportunities with the team/coalition/group to maximize our impact while mitigating burnout

vanesa360 — 2025-05-01 15:55:25 UTC

securing funding, both federal and private

2025-05-01 15:56:09 UTC

We are actively pursuing unrestricted revenue for TTA. NJ Judges paid us $5,000 plus travel for three days of work.

2025-05-01 15:57:44 UTC

Negotiating a contract to present to health clinic for $7,000.

2025-05-01 15:58:22 UTC

Coping with the uncertainty, grief, fear, and trauma both personally and vicariously while continuing to do meaningful work. Maintaining empathy without burning out.

2025-05-01 16:01:27 UTC

EU staff are meeting monthly with Development to examine the impact our work has on the community to prepare us to access non-federal funds

2025-05-01 16:03:43 UTC

Staff creatively using terminology to continue to speak about access, equity, health, and safety for products to be approved by a federal funder

2025-05-01 16:05:18 UTC

When trainings are funded by non federal funds, staff add a slide with a disclaimer that no federal funds were used for the creation, research, or travel for this presentation.