What’s Happening at New Economy Project

It’s been an eventful fall at New Economy Project! Check out a few highlights:

• New Economy Project and co-counsel settled a groundbreaking class action lawsuit, filed on behalf of low-income New Yorkers alleging fraud by a major debt collection network. The settlement is expected to benefit more than 353,000 New Yorkers, providing monetary relief and the unprecedented vacating of almost 200,000 court judgments. Coming on the heels of major policy changes that we and allies have won in New York State, the settlement helps bring an end to discriminatory and abusive debt collection that has particularly harmed low-income New Yorkers of color.
• NYC’s employment credit checks ban — the strongest law of its kind in the country — went into effect, making New York a more equitable city for job seekers. New Economy Project led the coalition that won this landmark labor and civil rights law, and we’re looking forward to working with the City to ensure strong enforcement. 
• Through our New Economy Loan Fund, we were pleased to make a recent loan to Sunrise, a collective of auto repair workers displaced from Willets Point, Queens. Our loan supports Sunrise as it moves to a new shared location in the South Bronx, where the co-op will launch a first-of-its-kind, one-stop shop for auto parts and repairs.
• Hot off the presses! New Economy Project and allies in the NYC Community Land Initiative have created powerful new pop-ed tools that support CLT organizing – including a board game, “Trustville,” and “Fighting to Save Our Communities,” a comic-style poster. Contact us to request copies, and read more about how NYC groups are using these materials. Big thanks to Hester Street Collaborative and to artist Emilio Martinez for their incredible work to bring these materials to life!
• We bid a fond farewell to Josh Zinner, co-director since 2008, as he moves on to become CEO of Interfaith Center for Corporate Responsibility. New Economy’s board and staff thank Josh for his zeal, good humor and tremendous contributions to the field!

Check out our December e-newsletter to read more.