Making our country work for the many, not the few.

About the RI Working Families Party

The RI Working Families Party is a state chapter of the national Working Families Party. WFP is a political party that brings together volunteers, labor unions, community organizations, and elected officials to win big, common-sense improvements in the lives of everyday people.

We recruit and support inspiring candidates with deep ties to the community and organize to help them win elections. Once they’re in office, we use our governing power to push for visionary laws that make a positive difference in the lives of people of all races, ages, and identities.

We believe that no matter where we come from or what our color, most of us want the same things: We want to earn enough to thrive, not just survive, and leave a better future for our kids. We want healthy food and clean water, secure housing and healthcare, and a safe world within our neighborhoods and beyond. We want to be free.

Since 2016, RI Working Families Party has been a powerful political force to win governing power for the working people of Rhode Island. Our work has helped win raises for 1 in 4 Rhode Island workers, sick days for over 100,000 people, a strong equal pay law, automatic expungement for cannabis records, and—most importantly—changed the character of the Rhode Island State House by electing lawmakers who put working people first. And we are just getting started.

Join us.

Join our movement: Text RHODY to 30403.

Past RIWFP Issue Campaigns

RI Working Families Party and our sibling organization, Working Families Power, has led, coordinated, or partnered on powerful legislative campaigns that have changed hundreds of thousands of lives. Below are a few of our major victories.

Paid Sick Days

Won over 100,000 Rhode Islanders ‘paid time off’ of work to heal or care for a sick loved one.

$15 Minimum Wage

Set RI on a path to a $15 minimum wage, raising the wages of 1 in 4 Rhode Island workers.

Pay Equity for All

Created a strong, statewide framework for increasing pay transparency and ensuring employers pay women and people of color fairly.

Automatic Expungement

Cleared the records of tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders with prior cannabis possession charges

Let RI Vote

Expanded access to early voting and guaranteed easy, secure mail ballot voting.

RIWFP Staff

We employ four full-time staff, who work alongside our members to shape and structure the Party.

  • Chelsea Fernando

    RI Senior Political Organizer • she/her
    cfernando [at] workingfamilies.org

    Chelsea works with individual members. Her work includes political education, skills training, electoral campaign actions, and lobbying. Schedule a call with her here.

  • Georgia Hollister Isman

    New England Regional Director • she/her
    ghollisterisman [at] workingfamilies.org

    Georgia oversees WFP strategy in RI, CT, and MA. She works to carry out ambitious electoral, legislative and organizational plans that involve members, community partners, and legislators.

  • Zack Mezera

    RI Political Director • he/him
    zmezera [at]     workingfamilies.org

    Zack works to help win a better set of elected officials for working people. Contact him about organizational partnership, elections, candidates, and Party/movement infrastructure.

  • Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler

    New England Progressive Governance Director • he/him
    jsobrinho-wheeler [at] workingfamilies.org

    Jivan works with elected officials to develop progressive policy and organize in solidarity with one another. He helps elected officials create shared strategy, and effectively engage their constituents year round.

RIWFP State Committee

The RIWFP State Committee is the group of labor unions, community organizations, and individual members that guide the growth and direction of our state chapter. They vote on which candidates we endorse and participate in determining our legislative goals.