The San Francisco Day Labor Program & Women’s Collective joined Dolores Street in 2012. Since 1991, the program has been uniting, empowering, and organizing immigrant workers for dignified work and fair wages in San Francisco.
Workers are organized in two collectives, one of men and one of women, to build collective power, develop skills, and operate a collective enterprise providing on-demand workforce.
Members of the collectives work together to eradicate the injustices that affect day laborers and domestic workers, fostering an organized environment where all workers can build their dignity, leadership and power. Members share a vision of a community where day laborers and domestic workers have the same opportunities and rights as any other worker. They accomplish this by offering each other opportunities to learn, work and participate in the movement of immigrant and domestic workers. The collectives are co-founders and leaders in the National Day Labor Organizing Network, National Domestic Workers Alliance, Progressive Workers Alliance, California Domestic Workers Coalition, Jobs with Justice, and San Francisco Rising, among others.
Members leading the collectives assume practical training positions that are opportunities for skills development in the areas of English proficiency, computers and organizing. Leaders are supported by professionals, students and retirees who volunteer 2 hours per week in providing hand-on, on-the-job coaching. Volunteers receive free training in coaching techniques and are supported by our staff throughout their experience. Prior volunteers report incredible personal and professional growth.