Jeff Elmer worked for ACORN in various cities for about 5 years. He worked in Des Moines, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and DC. In this interview, Elmer discusses campaigns he worked on, base-buiIding, leadership, and poIiticaI work. He also touches base on issues of race and cIass within ACORN, as well as how he feIt about the impact of ACORN and its demise.
Archival Objects
Front page article about ACORN from October 24, 1982 in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Political pins, including ACORN pins.
Pittsburgh ACORN YE/YB Report, January 1983.
Jeff Elmer’s placement letter, dated June 5, 1979, inviting him to serve as a VISTA Volunteer at Iowa ACORN in Des Moines, Iowa.
January 1981 Northeast Regional Staff Meeting Philadelphia Report
Two pages from the ACORN Inquirer
“Davenport Democrats Endorse ACORN People’s Platform,” October 1979
“23rd Psalm (1982)” from the Pittsburgh Reagan Ranch on October 23-31, 1982.
Copy of ACORN News from DC ACORN, June 1983, Volume 1, Number 1.
Page from an article in the Philadelphia Journal titled, “Angry Riders Want Results,” in which an ACORN member is quoted.
Newspaper clipping of an article about six ACORN members who were arrested at a squatter protest.
Show poster for a benefit concernt for ACORN in Pittsburgh, PA.
Poster advertising an ACORN neighbhorhood meeting.
Copy of “City Limits” publication from October 1985 with a feature about New York ACORN’s suqatting campaign.
Photograph of women demonstrating for “squatters rights”.
Poster advertising an ACORN housing rights rally.
Page from an article about ACORN protestors crowding the corridor in front of Philadelphia Housing Director Tom Massaro’s office to demand the start of a free housing program.
In 1981, significant political pressure prompted the Pittsburgh City Council to offer an advisory referendum on the issue of whether to keep the at large election system “as is” or switch to a district election system, which could give more opportunities for minority representation. ACORN spearheaded a petition drive as part of the “Neighborhoods First” coalition, supported by progressive Councilman Tom Flaherty. Unfortunately, the referendum was intentionally ambiguous in its wording. Years later, ACORN and other community groups helped get a clearer referendum on the ballot that ultimately led to district elections in 1987.
Copy of Pennsylvania ACORN News from May 1980.
Newspaper clippings of an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer from March 1980 about an ACORN demonstration in front of Philadelphia’s Office of Housing and Community Development because its director, Thomas H. Massaro, broke his promise to reopen the city’s Gift Property Program by the proposed date.
Event poster for a gospel concert and dinner fundraiser for Pittsburgh ACORN.
Program for a Remeber in November Coaltion event at “Pittsburgh’s Reagan Ranch”.
Copy of a Pittsburgh Press article from March 24, 1982 titled, “Squatters Stake Claims All Over City” about the ACORN squatting campaign.
Newspaper clipping of an article and accompanying photographs in the Pittsburgh Press on February 27, 1982 about ACORN members rehabbing a home as part of the squatting campaign.
An article in The Village Voice from January 21, 1980 titled, “It’s Now or Never in Iowa” about going door-to-door with ACORN.
A Washington Post article from August 23, 1983 titled, “Compromise Saves H Street Postal Service” about the results of the ACORN campaign opposing the moving of the only post office in the Northeast Washington neighbhorhood.
A Washington Post article from August 16, 1983 about an ACORN organized protest against the closing of the only post office in the Northeast Washington neighborhood.
A Washington Times article from November 29, 1983 about The District branch of ACORN winning DC-Marriott hotel jobs for local residents.
