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National Social Justice Nonprofit Expands Policy Unit, Appoints New Directors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Steve Savner appointed as director of public policy and Kate Kahan joins staff as legislative director
Monday, Aug 11, 2008Contact: Germonique R. Jones 202-339-9331, gjones@communitychange.org
WASHINGTON - The Center for Community Change is pleased to announce the expansion of its new policy unit with the appointment of Steve Savner as the new director of public policy and the addition of Kate Kahan as legislative director. For the past three years, Mr. Savner has directed the Center’s work on jobs and income issues as a senior fellow. Ms. Kahan joins the organization today.
“We believe there is an historic opportunity to win significant policy change that benefits low-income communities of color in the next few years. The Center’s growth and this important opening for change have highlighted the Center’s need for greater policy expertise on staff,” said Mary Lassen, managing director, Center for Community Change. “Both Steve Savner and Kate Kahan bring a wealth of knowledge in shaping policies of economic justice and will elevate our organizational presence with key policy makers to help win policy change for poor people.”
Mr. Savner has worked on policy issues affecting low-income families and communities for many years, as a lawyer in legal services programs in New York and Massachusetts, and at the Center for Law and Social Policy, in Washington D.C. His work has focused primarily on public benefits, welfare and Food Stamps in particular, workers’ rights, and access to postsecondary education and job training.
In his new role as director of public policy, Mr. Savner will be providing leadership, working with CCC’s partner organizations and CCC staff in the development and implementation of policy priorities and strategy. He will also coordinate the efforts of policy and legislative staff.
Ms. Kahan has been an activist for Women’s Rights and economic justice for more than 15 years and has extensive voter engagement experience. Ms. Kahan has both personal and professional experience with poverty and has utilized such experience in her capacity as the executive director for a local economic justice organization as well as in her role as professional staff for the Senate Finance Committee where she provided leadership and policy expertise on welfare, childcare, child welfare, unemployment insurance and tribal issues.
As legislative director, Ms. Kahan will be responsible for pushing the Center’s legislative agenda to advance the interest of low-income families before Congress and the administration. She will also help organize opportunities to bring local community based organizations in contact with their elected officials and track important legislative activities.
Founded in 1968 to honor the life and values of Robert F. Kennedy, the Center for Community Change is one of the longest-standing champions for low-income people and communities of color. Throughout our history, the Center has strengthened the leadership, voice and power of low-income communities nationwide to confront the vital issues of today and build the social movements of tomorrow.
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