So...what do we do now?

If the state of electoral politics and this bleak excuse for a democracy have left you feeling hopeless, unheard, or disempowered, one: you’re not alone, and two: there are things you can do about it, especially on the local level. Things are hard and will probably get harder, but at the end of the day, and as cliche as it sounds, we have each other — and a responsibility to show up where we can. 

Organize with your neighbors and coworkers 

Whatever your cause, you can find a way to take action around it. If you’re deeply concerned with affordable housing and housing conditions, get to know your neighbors and join a tenants union, or, with the help of ONE DC, organize your own. And hey, while we’re at it, do that at your workplace, too! The Emergency Workplace Organizing Committee can be a good place to start for support and guidance. 

Let your local elected officials know what you think

You can attend an ANC meeting, you can write your councilmember about a bill you don’t like (and get all of your friends to do it with you), and you can also testify before said councilmembers and their executive counterparts at a public hearing. (At the end of this post we’ve got a bank of public meeting calendars for D.C. agencies; if you think there’s something we’re missing, let us know.)

And you can keep up with what’s going on in your community by supporting local news. We’ll be here to report through this, as will so many of our fellow community-oriented outlets, like the Washington Informer,730 DC, Washington City Paper, Street Sense, and CityCast.

We’ve also compiled a by no means exhaustive list of some District organizations and efforts making a difference in the city right now for you to plug into. Feel free to reach out to us at hello@51st.news if you have an addition. You can also browse Volunteer Match and Spur Local for local opportunities that speak to you. 

Give resources, time, energy, or organizing power

Connect with one of the many mutual aid groups around D.C. (See: Ward 1, Ward 2, Ward 3, Ward 4, Ward 5, Ward 6, Ward 7/Ward 8.)

Harriet’s Wildest Dreams is a Black-led abolitionist group that organizes political actions and provides civic and legal aid to D.C. area residents. 

We Defend DC is a new collective organizing effort formed in the aftermath of this week’s election. (They’re having their first meeting Thursday night at 6:30 p.m.) 

Remora House distributes money and supplies to homeless encampments in D.C. 

Thrive DC, which supports unhoused residents, could always use donations including clothing, backpacks, and toiletries.

Food Not Bombs provides weekly meals to unhoused residents downtown. 

Feed the People DC distributes meals and supplies every weekend to residents in Dupont Circle. (They post the specific items they’re looking for weekly on their Instagram.) 

ReDeliciousDC is a food lab co-op that takes food waste from local farms and businesses and redistributes it to the community.

Bread for the City provides food, healthcare, and wraparound services to low-income and unhoused D.C. residents. 

Miriam’s Kitchen supports residents with meals, bathrooms, and other social services. 

DC Justice Lab is a collection of lawyers and policy experts seeking to reshape D.C.’s criminal legal system.

Homes Not Borders helps refugees and asylum seekers get settled in a new home. Your donation can go directly toward gas, moving costs, or furniture. 

DC Jobs With Justice is a coalition of labor organizations and community and student groups protecting the rights of workers. 

Rising Organizers trains new and emerging activists in the D.C. area for free.

Legal Aid DC provides free civil legal services to low-income DC residents and advocates for policy change.

Resource Generation's D.C. chapter is a community of young people with financial privilege committed to re-distributing wealth, land, and power.

EC4DC is a new mutual aid org supplying D.C. residents with free Plan B. (You can donate directly or sign up to create a new distribution site.) 

DC Abortion Fund helps people across the country get an abortion. 

HIPS DC is a harm reduction and advocacy organization that supports sex workers and people who use drugs.

Playtime Project provides structured play to children living in emergency housing shelters, domestic violence shelters, subsidized housing sites, and other community sites across D.C. and Prince George's County.

Chesapeake Climate Action Network organizes and advocates for clean energy and environmental justice in the D.C. area.

This story has been updated with additional organizations.