The Philadelphia Unemployment Project (PUP) has organized poor and unemployed people to fight for economic justice since 1975. For 50 years, PUP has brought diverse groups together—including labor, religious, community, civil rights, and women's movements—to win major victories that benefit millions. Today, PUP provides direct assistance with unemployment benefits, housing, food stamps, healthcare, and job resources while continuing to advocate for systemic change.
Since 1975, PUP has organized the poor and unemployed to fight for economic justice and bring about major changes benefiting millions. The organization has achieved significant victories including enforcement of hospital free care requirements, extensions of unemployment benefits, passage of the nation's first municipal plant closing ordinance, creation of mortgage assistance programs, minimum wage increases, and innovative programs like Commuter Options for inner-city workers. During COVID-19, PUP successfully organized to improve unemployment benefit processing times and staffing.
PUP's Board of Directors includes Sam Jones (Chair, Restaurant Opportunities Center), Jackie Chapman (Vice Chair, PUP Member), Danyelle Blackwell (Secretary, PUP Member), and Deborah Wagner (Treasurer). The board also includes representatives from labor unions, religious organizations, and community coalitions, reflecting PUP's commitment to diverse partnerships.
PUP offers housing counseling services, utility assistance, foreclosure prevention (Save Your Home), job search resources, the Commuter Options reverse commute program (PUPCO), unemployment compensation assistance, SNAP/food stamp support, healthcare resources, and child care information. The organization maintains a computer lab open Monday–Friday for those needing assistance with applications.
PUP is celebrating its 50th Anniversary on Friday, March 20th, 2026, from 7–9 PM at the Commodore Barry Club in Philadelphia. The event will honor Sam Jones of the Restaurant Opportunities Center and feature music by Philly Gumbo. Tickets are available, and the organization is seeking ad book contributions to support its ongoing work with unemployed and low-wage workers.
Check back soon for events from this organization.
