Community Outreach Action Team (COAT)
“Wrapping Arvada in Justice & Love”
The purpose of the Community Outreach Action Team is to:
COAT’s work is to engage in respectful, caring, and assertive (as needed) communications and actions with the Arvada community, including individuals, organizations, businesses, and City government to further the ASJ mission for racial justice.
COAT will accomplish its purpose by:
Hearing and believing individuals’ experiences of injustices that create fear and caution
Highlighting people of color’s (POC) contributions through businesses and in the neighborhoods for a better Arvada
Working with and against Arvada government personnel to root out structural racist policies and procedures that continue to promote white supremacy and other forms of oppression
Providing anti-racism information and education to the Arvada community aimed at inspiring change in people’s hearts and minds
Reminding Arvada that prejudice against anyone because of who they are, where they are from, their attributes, and their personal life-giving choices is not welcome here. We will respect each other while we engage in intentional dialogue for a safer and inclusive Arvada for all
Listening to people’s hopes for Arvada, while inviting all Arvadans to join, inform, and enrich ASJ’s work in the community
Current activities:
Invitation & connection to ASJ
The Postcard Project: By distributing ASJ postcards to Arvadans displaying yard signs and other displays of inclusive intent we will open lines of communication and inform people about ASJ
Email acquisition: ASJ has almost 500 Facebook group members. Work is underway to invite members to provide email addresses which will be utilized to better communicate opportunities to know about and engage in ASJ activities and campaigns
Advocacy – Changing policy
Community involved Arvada DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Taskforce: Efforts are underway by COAT and ASJ members to call for the creation of a DEI Taskforce by the City of Arvada, and to request/demand ASJ’s involvement to establish the Taskforce’s make-up (diverse, equitable, and inclusive) and scope of work
Research and Education – Changing hearts and minds
Assessment of diverse business ownership: A directory of businesses is being developed that will be available on the ASJ website to celebrate the “hidden” diversity that already exists in Arvada, and to promote the intentional growth of diverse ownership
Arvada History: Exploration of Arvada’s history will be pursued through research with and from ASJ members, the City of Arvada, the Arvada Historical Society, and individuals who may have important information. Data obtained from the research will be utilized to create learning opportunities for the community and to inform current and new ASJ projects
Community Support
Community Involvement Opportunities: COAT will invite and maintain information regarding opportunities for ASJ members to take action to support and improve the Arvada community (Opportunities page soon to come!)
Community Action: Periodically or in response to disasters, COAT will invite ASJ members to act for the benefit of others, which could include campaigns such as diaper drives or donations for individuals who have lost homes because of fire or flood
COAT Member Commitments & Expectations:
Members are asked to:
Engage in at least one of the Team’s activities
Attend COAT meetings
Assist in representing COAT at ASJ general meetings
Next Steps…
If you are interested in joining the COAT:
Please complete the form below with contact information and any details about your interest. Someone from the team will follow up with you about next steps.