Welcome to another feature in EBCF’s community partner spotlight series. As part of our Community Organizing, Power Building, and Movement Building program strategy, we’re proud to support Mujeres Unidas y Activas (MUA), a powerful grassroots organization led by and for immigrant women. MUA builds collective power with domestic workers to transform not only unjust labor systems but also the lives of the women most impacted by them.
Through this strategy, EBCF invests in the leadership of directly impacted communities to build power and transform the conditions that cause harm. That means resourcing grassroots organizations that are spearheading base-building campaigns, training the next generation of leaders, and forging solidarity across movements. We believe that when communities organize for systemic change, they create more just and inclusive societies for everyone.
MUA’s work embodies this vision. By organizing Latina immigrant women in the domestic work sector, one of the most undervalued and underprotected industries in the U.S., MUA has created a political home and healing space for immigrant women navigating underpaid labor, immigration barriers, and gender-based violence. Keep reading to learn how MUA is building community and creating an expansive vision for worker justice.
Healing as Power
For many MUA members, domestic work is often the only viable option due to language barriers, a lack of documentation, or the refusal to recognize international credentials. And while this work is essential, it is too often undervalued and excluded from labor protections. MUA organizes domestic workers to secure legal rights, protections, and the respect they deserve, including sick pay, overtime, and rest breaks. But MUA’s model goes far beyond policy change.
“Many of our members come to us after experiencing emotional abuse, financial control, or physical violence,” shared Yael Falicov, MUA’s Development Director. “They often don’t realize they’ve been harmed, or believe they deserve it. At MUA, they find safety, connection, and a path to healing.”
That healing happens through art, dance, theater, peer counseling, and community. “After finding a safe space to heal and grow, they emerge from their cocoons and spread their wings,” Yael shared. “They can finally say, ‘Don’t ever tell me I’m not enough.’”
Dreaming Together
Dreaming is central to MUA’s work, not just in resisting oppression, but also in imagining what liberation can look like. Members dream of workplaces where they are valued, communities where they feel safe, and futures where their labor is respected and honored.
“When I hear ‘dreaming,’ I think about the vision of what we’re fighting for,” said Yael. “These are brilliant, funny, smart women. When we dream together, we’re reclaiming our humanity and channeling it into action.”
In 2024, one of those dreams came true: the launch of a new MUA program site in Union City. The milestone was years in the making and became possible through the support of EBCF, which helped MUA connect with new funders and community partners.
Beyond the Check: Language Justice and Leadership
EBCF’s partnership with MUA goes far beyond grantmaking. In a funder briefing focused on South Alameda County, EBCF provided simultaneous interpretation and built the event to be fully bilingual, reflecting a deep commitment to language justice and accessibility.
“Most of our members are juggling jobs and caregiving, with little time or opportunity to learn a new language,” said Yael. “At MUA, fluency in English isn’t a requirement for leadership, and EBCF understands that. They don’t ask patronizing questions. They remove barriers.”
That respect extends to MUA’s staff as well. General operating support has enabled the organization to invest in staff wellness and retention, a crucial component in sustaining its long-term impact.
A Relationship Built on Trust
What makes the relationship with EBCF stand out most, Yael shared, is trust. EBCF staff offer strategic insight, amplify MUA’s work to other funders, and listen deeply.
“EBCF has a bird’s-eye view of the organizing landscape in the East Bay,” Yael reflected. “They make that perspective available to us and that enables us to dream big.”
At every step, MUA is modeling what an inclusive economic future can look like, one rooted in care, healing, and self-determination. And at every step, EBCF is proud to stand with them.
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This piece was written by Beth Trimarco in collaboration with EBCF’s Community Investments and Partnerships team and the leadership team of Mujeres Unidas y Activas. Photography by Brooke Anderson.