Real Change works to achieve economic, social, and racial justice in our community through award-winning journalism and anti-capitalist organizing. We are always looking for enthusiastic and committed individuals of varied skill sets to join us- see our Volunteer Opportunities & Internships as well.
For information about becoming a Real Change vendor, please visit our Prospective Vendor Page.
Current Employment Opportunities
About Employment at Real Change
Real Change Homeless Empowerment Project was founded in 1994 to offer immediate employment options for poor and homeless adults and challenge the structures that create poverty. Real Change exists to provide opportunity and a voice for low-income and homeless people while taking action for economic, social and racial justice. We include vendors in department work, such as participating in the editorial committee, determining advocacy priorities and participating in action, and helping to develop vendor-centric programs and procedures.
Real Change serves vendors through three integrated approaches:
Real Change Vendor Program is an immediate, low-barrier work opportunity and caring community. We meet people where they are, without judgement, and support the vendors in reaching their personal and professional goals. Vendors have access to services including case management, food assistance, service referrals, medical care, mailboxes, a computer lab, and so much more.
Real Change News is an award-winning Seattle weekly newspaper of independent and investigative journalism, with a circulation of more than 300,000 papers annually. The content in the paper and on the website is produced by a team of four journalists and many community contributors and informed by anti-capitalist and antiracist perspectives.
Real Change Advocacy and Organizing supports the activism and leadership of vendors, and works to create opportunities and access for homeless and low-income people to take action on issues which directly impact their lives.
Anti-oppression work at Real Change: While most vendors at Real Change are people of color, Real Change staff are majority white with a white leadership team. We are continually evaluating our anti-oppressive practices to promote a diverse and anti-racist culture at Real Change. One current project is to find an anti-oppression consultant to review our current race-based caucusing and help establish best practices for our internal anti-racism work. We do not hold any members of our community responsible for educating their own oppressors. We encourage applications from folks who hold our values and feel excited about joining us in our anti-racist work.
We are committed to fostering and supporting a workplace culture inclusive of all people regardless of their race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, marital status, age, physical abilities, political affiliation, religious beliefs or any other non-merit factors, so that all employees feel included, equally valued and supported.
Accessibility: The Real Change office is not explicitly scent-free, uses fluorescent lights, and occasionally has pets or service animals visiting the office. The Vendor Center (first floor) is often loud and chaotic. The office on the second floor is accessible via an elevator and there are two steps up to access the Advocacy area in the office on the first floor. There are accessible stalls in the first floor bathrooms. We are able to make reasonable accommodations as needed.
The Vendor Center contains two single-occupancy bathrooms, and the public bathrooms in the building are gendered & shared with other businesses. Real Change staff are welcome to use any bathroom they are most comfortable in. We respect all pronouns, gender presentations, and chosen names.
Working under Covid: Each Real Change position is required to be in the office for some part of each week. The schedule is based on position need and identified in the job description. The job description represents current work duties, and may shift some during Covid so that we can effectively meet our mission and serve our Vendor population. To address the potential for exposure to the Covid virus we require masks, work schedules are staggered, we utilize air purifiers, have a daily sanitation routine, use plexiglass around desks in high traffic areas, and monitor staff for any Covid symptoms.
As of October 18, 2021, staff are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If hired, you will be required to submit proof of full vaccination by your hire date. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine. Staff may make requests for a reasonable accommodation based on a medical disability or for sincerely held religious beliefs. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.