Arelis Tavares is the Community Outreach Director at the New York State AFL-CIO; since joining in 2013, Arelis has worked with community groups statewide on social justice, economic development and worker rights issues and legislation, including serving as the coordinator for the NYS DREAM Act Coalition. Arelis began her community advocacy career when she joined Bill Lynch Associates in 2003. During her decade-long position there she managed the firm’s labor union clients and organized various political and issue-based campaigns. Prior to joining the New York State AFL-CIO, Arelis worked in the Community Relations Department at the Office of the New York City Comptroller. During her time there, Arelis played a significant role in organizing a foreclosure prevention seminar and a “Know-your-rights” town hall series with various community groups. She attended CUNY’s Borough of Manhattan Community College where she majored in Writing and Literature. Arelis was born and raised in New York City and continues to volunteer with organizations advocating for issues affecting low-income communities, especially in the Lower East Side where she grew up and currently resides.
