NJ Communities United

05/12/2026

Someone heard us yesterday. Reopening CCAP is the minimum. We need to expand eligibility for families and raise wages and benefits for early educators. Tax the millionaires and billionaires to make it happen. New Jersey can do so much more for the working class.

Helping families afford child care and build a stronger future. Governor Mikie Sherrill’s budget supports parents and gives children the strong start they deserve.

05/11/2026

ESPAÑOL ABAJO

Child Care For All NJ launched today on the Statehouse steps—the working class came with a message: make the wealthiest pay their fair share.

On the 5th annual Day Without Child Care, parents, educators, and advocates joined unions and elected leaders to demand that millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share to fully fund child care, expand access for every family, and raise wages and benefits for early childhood educators.

Elected leaders with us:
• Assemblywoman Lisa Swain (D-38), Appropriations Chair
• Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D-36), Deputy Speaker
• Assemblyman Chris Tully (D-38), Deputy Majority Leader
• Senator Angela McKnight (D-31)

Organizations: CWA Local 1037, 32BJ SEIU, Laundry Workers Center, National Domestic Workers Alliance, New Jersey Citizen Action, New Labor, Childcare Changemakers, Workers United, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, Wind Of The Spirit, SPAN Parent Advocacy Network, NJ Communities United—and more.

After rallying, we went inside to meet with legislators to tell them New Jersey needs to invest in the working class. Without us, it doesn't work.

Share this. Tag your legislators. Organizing is our power.



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Hoy lanzamos Child Care For All NJ en los escalones del Capitolio—la clase trabajadora vino con un mensaje: que los más ricos paguen su parte justa.

En el 5to Día Nacional Sin Cuidado Infantil, padres, educadores y defensores se unieron a sindicatos y líderes electos para exigir que los millonarios y multimillonarios paguen su parte justa para financiar completamente el cuidado infantil, expandir el acceso para cada familia, y aumentar los salarios y beneficios para los educadores de la primera infancia.

Líderes electos con nosotros:
• Asambleísta Lisa Swain (D-38), Presidenta de Asignaciones
• Asambleísta Gary Schaer (D-36), Vicepresidente de la Asamblea
• Asambleísta Chris Tully (D-38), Líder Adjunto de la Mayoría
• Senadora Angela McKnight (D-31)

Organizaciones: CWA Local 1037, 32BJ SEIU, Laundry Workers Center, National Domestic Workers Alliance, New Jersey Citizen Action, New Labor, Childcare Changemakers, Workers United, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, Wind Of The Spirit, SPAN Parent Advocacy Network, NJ Communities United—y más.

Después de la manifestación, entramos a reunirnos con legisladores para decirles que Nueva Jersey necesita invertir en la clase trabajadora. Sin nosotros, no funciona.

Comparte esto. Etiqueta a tus legisladores. La organización es nuestro poder.

05/01/2026

Linden's 5th Ward Councilwoman Dr. Lott did what elected leaders should: she stood with the child care providers who keep Linden's communities strong. Resolution 2026-198 demands expanded CCAP funding for working class families, and sustains the important work of early educators. These educators are predominately Black and Brown women, Latinas and Immigrants, who provide care for working class communities.


This is a local win, but our fight is statewide. We won't stop until every provider earns a living wage and every working family has access to affordable child care.

May 11th is the National Day Without Child Care. Please join us in Trenton for the launch of the Child Care For All NJ campaign! Register: bit.ly/DayWithoutChildCareNJ. Share this. Tag your legislators. We are the ones we've been waiting for.

5th Ward Councilwoman Lott is doing the work!

At this month’s Council meeting, she worked alongside her fellow Council members to pass Resolution 2026-198. This resolution calls for expanded funding and support for the New Jersey Child Care Assistance Program, helping more families qualify, reducing out-of-pocket costs, and strengthening access to affordable, quality childcare.

This will not only support working families, but it will also uplift our very own childcare providers right here in Linden, including A Touch of Heaven (Director Liana Roldan), Alvey’s Education Never Ends Program Inc. (Director Angela Alvey-Wimbush), and dedicated home childcare providers like Ms. Miller. These providers are essential to our community, and this resolution recognizes the critical role they play in supporting our children and families every day.

Councilwoman Dr. Lott partnered with New Jersey Communities United to help bring awareness to this issue and highlight the real impact that childcare affordability has on our residents.

When we invest in childcare, we are investing in our families, our workforce, and our future.

04/29/2026

💰 PAYCHECK CHECK: The Care Economy Edition
Child Care Remains Undervalued, Underpaid and Invisible.
-> 92% of early educators are women.
-> 41% are women of color.
-> The median wage? $14.60/hour.
-> Black women in center-based care earn $8,000+ LESS per year than white counterparts—for the same work.
This is by design. It's the legacy of a system that:
• Excluded domestic workers from labor protections (1938)
• Refused to recognize care work as REAL work
• Assumed women (especially women of color) would do it for free
Private equity is here to profit from systemic racism, sexism and misogyny.

💰 PAYCHECK CHECK: The Care Economy Edition

Child Care Remains Undervalued, Underpaid and Invisible.

-> 92% of early educators are women.
-> 41% are women of color.
-> The median wage? $14.60/hour.
-> Black women in center-based care earn $8,000+ LESS per year than white counterparts—for the same work.

This is by design. It's the legacy of a system that:
• Excluded domestic workers from labor protections (1938)
• Refused to recognize care work as REAL work
• Assumed women (especially women of color) would do it for free

Private equity is here to profit from systemic racism, sexism and misogyny.



NJ Communities United CWA Local 1037 New Jersey Citizen Action

04/25/2026

español abajo

Child care providers and parents showed up in Woodbridge this morning to deliver a message to Assembly Speaker Coughlin: Fully fund the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). No excuses.

These are the workers who keep New Jersey's economy running—who make it possible for parents to show up to their jobs. And they're coming together to say: Working-class families can't afford another year of underfunded care. Childcare workers can't afford another year of poverty wages. Speaker Coughlin has the power to fix this in the budget. And we are here to make sure he prioritizes child care as economic infrastructure.
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Proveedores de cuidado infantil y padres se presentaron esta mañana en Woodbridge para llevar un mensaje al Diputado Coughlin, Presidente de la Asamblea Estatal: Financien por completo el Programa de Asistencia de Cuidado Infantil (CCAP). Sin excusas.
Estas son las trabajadoras que mantienen en marcha la economía de Nueva Jersey—quienes hacen posible que los padres lleguen a sus trabajos. Y se están uniendo para decir: Las familias de la clase trabajadora no pueden permitirse otro año de cuidado sin fondos suficientes.

Las trabajadoras de cuidado infantil no pueden permitirse otro año de salarios de pobreza. El Presidente Coughlin tiene el poder para arreglar esto en el presupuesto. Y estamos aquí para asegurarnos de que priorice el cuidado infantil como infraestructura económica.

CWA Local 1037 Laundry Workers Center New Jersey Citizen Action

04/22/2026

Español Abajo

Four cities. Four unanimous votes. One demand: Trenton, fully fund the child care subsidy program, CCAP.

Last night, Linden joined Elizabeth, Newark, and Perth Amboy — thanks to the leadership of Councilmember Dr. Lott, who introduced the resolution and moved it to a unanimous vote.

When NJCU members show up, local leaders act. When working parents and child care providers speak, city councils listen.

Trenton, take note. This is a wave — and it's headed your way.

Child care is economic infrastructure and deserves to be funded as such.

***
Cuatro ciudades. Cuatro votos unánimes. Una sola demanda: Trenton, financien completamente el programa de subsidios de cuidado infantil conocido como CCAP.

Anoche, Linden se unió a Elizabeth, Newark y Perth Amboy — gracias al liderazgo de la Concejal Dr. Lott, quien presentó la resolución y la llevó a un voto unánime.

Cuando los miembros de NJCU se presentan, los líderes locales actúan. Cuando los padres trabajadores y las proveedoras de cuidado infantil hablan, los concejos municipales escuchan.

Trenton, tomen nota. Esta es una ola — y se dirige hacia ustedes.

El cuidado infantil es infraestructura económica. Financiénlo como tal.

04/14/2026

Español Abajo

The New Jersey Department of Human Services has reopened the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) to new applicants.

Working class people won this—through door-knocking, rallies, and holding Trenton accountable. Childcare is a necessary support for families.

CCAP is essential and yet, it does not reach enough people. Provider rates still fail to cover true costs. And Washington is threatening federal cuts.

We need full funding. Fair pay and benefits for providers. Expanded eligibility so no working-class family is priced out.

JOIN US SATURDAY, APRIL 25TH — 10:00 AM
569 Rahway Ave, Woodbridge, NJ
(Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin's district)

Register: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/042526Rally

If you've been waiting for care: Apply at ChildCareNJ.gov. Then join us to continue the fight in Woodbridge.

This win belongs to the working-class. Organized communities are strong communities.

Español:

El Departamento de Servicios Humanos de New Jersey ha vuelto a abrir el Programa de Asistencia del Cuidado Infantil (CCAP) a nuevos solicitantes.

La clase trabajadora logró esta victoria: tocando puertas, realizando manifestaciones, y exigiendo rendición de cuentas a Trenton. El cuidado infantil es un apoyo indispensable para las familias.

El CCAP es esencial y, sin embargo, no llega a suficientes personas. Las tarifas que se pagan a los proveedores no cubren los costos reales. Y Washington amenaza con recortes federales.

Necesitamos una financiación plena. Salarios y beneficios justos para los proveedores. Y una ampliación de los criterios de elegibilidad para que ninguna familia de la clase trabajadora quede excluida por motivos económicos.

ÚNASE A NOSOTROS EL SÁBADO 25 DE ABRIL — 10:00 AM
569 Rahway Ave, Woodbridge, NJ
(Distrito del Presidente de la Asamblea, Craig Coughlin)

Inscríbase aquí: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/042526Rally

Si usted ha estado esperando apoyo para pagar el cuidado infantil: solicítelo en ChildCareNJ.gov. Luego, acompáñenos en Woodbridge para seguir la lucha.

Esta victoria pertenece a la clase trabajadora. Las comunidades organizadas son comunidades fuertes.

04/07/2026

THE BRUTAL HISTORY OF CHILDCARE IN THE UNITED STATES

Our childcare system was BUILT on the exploitation of enslaved Black women FORCED to care for white children. Under the system of slavery, Black women cared for white children while being prohibited from caring for their own.

This the foundation of the childcare system we have today.

Five traps it established which continue to dominate the social narrative:
1⃣ "Affection," not skill — If Black women were "naturally" good at care, no training needed. Childcare became "unskilled" work, justifying poverty wages.
2⃣ Care severed from economics — If a woman was "like family," paying her fairly was unnecessary. The emotional framing masked the economic reality.
3⃣ The worker is invisible — The stereotype centered white children's needs, not the labor of Black women. The exhaustion, the reality of their own families, the impacts of exploitation—all effaced from view.
4⃣ Resistance to organizing — The legacy of the devoted, self-sacrificing nanny frames living wages, benefits and dignity as a betrayal to the economic system and counter to the needs of children. Private equity exploits this emotional blackmail in childcare centers today.
5⃣ Codified into law — The 1938 Fair Labor Standards Act purposely excluded domestic workers, attempting to codify women's powerlessness and solidify the dominance of a patriarchal system based on free labor.

The result: Private equity extracts profit from a system engineered to exploit Black women and women of color, a system constantly reinventing economies based on extracting free labor.



CWA Local 1037 Laundry Workers Center New Jersey Citizen Action

THE BRUTAL HISTORY OF CHILDCARE IN THE UNITED STATES

Our childcare system was BUILT on the exploitation of enslaved Black women FORCED to care for white children. Under the system of slavery, Black women cared for white children while being prohibited from caring for their own.

This established the foundation of the childcare system we have today.

Five traps it established which continue to dominate the social narrative:
1⃣ "Affection," not skill — If Black women were "naturally" good at care, no training needed. Childcare became "unskilled" work, justifying poverty wages.
2⃣ Care severed from economics — If a woman was "like family," paying her fairly was unnecessary. The emotional framing masked the economic reality.
3⃣ The worker is invisible — The stereotype centered white children's needs, not the labor of Black women. The exhaustion, the reality of their own families, the impacts of exploitation—all effaced from view.
4⃣ Resistance to organizing — The legacy of the devoted, self-sacrificing nanny frames living wages, benefits and dignity as a betrayal to the economic system and counter to the needs of children. Private equity exploits this emotional blackmail in childcare centers today.
5⃣ Codified into law — The 1938 Fair Labor Standards Act purposely excluded domestic workers, attempting to codify women's powerlessness and solidify the dominance of a patriarchal system based on free labor.

The result: Private equity extracts profit from a system engineered to exploit Black women and women of color, a system constantly reinventing economies based on extracting free labor.



NJ Communities United CWA Local 1037 New Jersey Citizen Action

04/01/2026

Joanna Pearrich, Director of St. Paul's Day Care in the North Ward, stood with For the Many NJ on the NJIT campus in Newark as legislators held budget hearings inside.

"Last year, the state cut $30 million from the Child Care Assistance Program. We're told there's no money for working families—but million-dollar corporations like Prudential Center got over $300 million in tax breaks."

The cuts hit hard. Joanna laid off kitchen and cleaning staff. Cut teachers' hours. Lowered family fees by 50% just to keep the doors open. Child care costs families $1,000–$2,000 per month per child. That is in addition to rent, utilities, food, and transportation.

Joanna continued:

"We fulfill our obligations. We work hard. We pay into the system. But we're at a disadvantage next to corporations that rake in millions in handouts."

Trenton legislators must restore funding for the Child Care Assistance Program to support working class families. If they could find millions in corporate give aways for Prudential in the last budget, then there is money for the working class. Here's an idea: tax the wealthy who rely on workers to create profits that keep New Jersey's economy strong.

Workers Over Billionaires. Tag your legislators.

New Jersey Citizen Action CWA Local 1037 Laundry Workers Center

03/31/2026