Aja Schmeltz

Founded in mid-2015, the Good Work Institute (GWI) is a worker self-directed nonprofit. We act as a catalyst for a sustained Just Transition movement, by cultivating, connecting, supporting, and illuminating the work of people who are fostering resilience and regeneration in their places. -- It is time for a profound shift. As we experience the effects of a global economic system that values profit and endless growth over the welfare of humans and the biosphere, we believe that people are more ready than ever to usher in something radically different. We are reconnecting to our hearts, to our communities, and to the earth, and committing to building a future that works for all. A new system must be built from the bottom up, person by person, place by place, working together for the common good. We believe that change is inevitable, but justice requires conscious work. We stand for wise choices as we navigate the future, and we see a thriving network of people, working collaboratively, as the path to a regenerative economy and a more just society. We know that real change doesn’t happen when we work alone: it springs from a resilient, energized, and hopeful community, with each member pursuing their Good Work in an interconnected, life-sustaining web. Our work is guided by these five Just Transition principles: - Advancing ecological restoration - Democratizing communities, wealth, and the workplace - Driving racial justice and social equity - Relocalizing most production and consumption - Retaining and restoring cultures and traditions Just Transition is a national framework for advancing systems change in our society that was articulated by the Oakland-based organization Movement Generation.