Jennifer Jewell

Jennifer Jewell

Jennifer Jewell

Louisville, KY

I first got started with KFTC when I met a couple of people who were working on welfare issues. The federal laws were changing, and we were trying to get Kentucky to allow education to count towards welfare’s work requirements.

Being involved has helped shape the rest of my life. At that point I was a welfare recipient in school with no interest in politics or how my life was shaped by politics. I learned through my work with KFTC that I had a voice and it’s important. I gained skills that have helped me to learn to advocate on behalf of myself. I’ve helped to start an organization that followed in the philosophy of KFTC, called Women in Transition (WIT). The skills I use to run WIT I learned from KFTC. 

I believe that if we can organize people and bring people together to work on issues, we can change things. On a personal level, organizing helps to legitimize people’s struggles. People think, “It’s my fault I’m poor. It’s my fault that I’m sick.” They don’t look at the broader structures that influence their situation.

In KFTC you gain skills, leadership skills that you can use in other aspects of your life. I’ve learned that leadership comes in all kinds of forms. Everyone has something to give. What you have to give is as important as anyone else’s contribution.

KFTC provides a lot of education to people, provides knowledge about being a leader. They support you in taking baby steps. Everyone can be a leader, even if you are a welfare recipient, even if you are homeless, even if you are poor, you have skills and something to give.

Most of my organizing skills and philosophy come from KFTC. KFTC has such a long history, wealth of knowledge and skill base with their organizers. They provide a lot of support, not only to Women In Transition, but a lot of organizations.