Base building, on the other hand, is a crucial component of social advocacy that focuses on establishing a solid foundation within communities. It involves building relationships, fostering grassroots connections, and developing a network of support. By strengthening community bonds and engaging in collaborative efforts, base building ensures that advocacy efforts are rooted in the needs and perspectives of the people directly affected by social issues, thus creating a more sustainable and impactful approach to social change. Together, social advocacy and base building form a dynamic and holistic strategy for addressing societal challenges and fostering positive transformation.

In 2021 and 2022, Collaborising advocated  at City Council meetings on behalf of  former Rydin Road encampment residents and successfully secured $1700 in cash per resident, provided case management services, and assisted with housing placement for 28 individuals before the encampment closed.  In partnership with Faith In Action of the Eastbay we organized the former Rydin Road residents to meet with City officials, state their cause and win much needed services and support. We taught residents to use Zoom, review City contracts of homeless service providers, scrutinize budgets, and fight to receive the services that they were promised.

In 2023, we subcontracted with RCF Connects to provide care management and housing navigation services for unhoused and/or housing insecure residents of Richmond until we gave up our contract in August, 2023 to shift our focus from direct services to GBI and reparations.