We are in the process of changing how we work here at Safi…. We are now cooperatively managed, and everyone is a co-owner!
After 5 years of employing people at a fair wage we discovered a new structure, one which offers everyone more dignity and more self-determination than our old structure did.
We are now a small network of very small worker cooperatives–meaning that groups of workers own their company– while a central Safi office (also worker-owned and cooperatively managed) helps with customer service, bookkeeping, invoicing, marketing, legal compliance, business plans, translating, and some kinds of training. Safi Central invoices clients and passes on 70-85% of the proceeds, depending on the level of support the affiliate needs
We now offer cleaning and also truly nontoxic yardwork and interior house painting!
If you or some one you know are serious about becoming part of a worker-owned, cooperatively-managed business, please be in touch.
SPECIAL URGENT ANNOUNCEMENT (Application is closing soon)
05/22/2026:
We are offering two internships, one in curriculum development, and one in product development, through the University of Arizona in cooperation with Earth Grant https://air.arizona.edu/earthgrant.
More details::
—Curriculum Development Internship:
The intern will assist SHW in researching and developing educational materials/curriculum about one or both of the following topics:
- The dangers of conventional, toxic products and why nontoxic product use is beneficial for the worker, the client and our Earth, and how to clean using truly nontoxic products and methods
- The worker-owned cooperative model, specifically how it works within the laws and customs of Tucson, Arizona.
What are the main goals and activities of this internship?
The toxicity and unsustainability of cleaning and painting supplies is well documented. Every year cleaners and janitors die from work-related illnesses, primarily due to the use of toxic products. We have been cleaning nontoxically since we began, about nine years ago. However, we haven’t always taken the time to clearly educate ourselves thoroughly on the details, especially when new members join.
Similarly, we have been a worker-owned cooperative for three years, and a fair amount of information exists about worker-owned cooperatives. However, historically there have not been many cooperatives in Arizona, and until 2017 Arizona law did not address worker-owned cooperatives at all. As we further develop our network and our list of services (home health care will be our next step) it is crucial that affiliate members understand thoroughly both the Safi nontoxic promise and the worker-owned cooperative model and decision making process.
The work of the intern will help us fix at least one of these gaps in our operations, by developing and presenting a curriculum that ideally includes:
- Program of study
- Resource list on the topic
- Powerpoint presentation
- Video presentation(s)
Expectations, Responsibilities, and Duties:
- Research
- Writing
- Participant observation
- Presentations, internal and possibly to general public
- Translate information into Spanish, Arabic and Swahili, or coordinate resources to translate
Required qualifications:
- Excellent writing and research skills
- A clear voice, good listening skills.
- Experience working or living with people of a different cultural background
- Willingness to perform, rarely, some manual labor, as a participant observer
- Ability to prioritize tasks, collect, and organize data
- Commitment to being scent-free at work
Preferred qualifications:
- Background in Sustainability, Communications, Education, Public Health, Law, Business or the Social Sciences
- Experience cleaning or other manual labor, teaching, and sales
- Commitment to worker-owned cooperatives
- Commitment to a nontoxic lifestyle
- Ability to speak a second language, especially Spanish, Swahili or Arabic
Student Benefits:
- Deepened understanding of worker-owned cooperative movement
- Deepened understanding of effect of toxic products in human environments
- Professional experience as a curriculum developer
- A network, locally and nationally, of cooperative members
- Potential to convert internship to longer-term employment, and eventually to cooperative co-ownership
Internship location:
The office is located two blocks from Cattran stop, one mile north of the University. Up to about 50% of the work could be virtual, if the intern prefers.
Internship hours:
10-16 hours. Ideally, interns would be available on Mondays and/or Fridays. Some work can be done remotely, at any time of week.
Mentor:
Minami Espinosa, co-founder, will supervise this position. Other members will work closely with the intern
Potential number of interns desired for this position:
1-2 Note: We have also listed another, product development, internship.
2026-27 Earth Grant internship organization application
Internship title:
Product Development Internship:
The intern will assist SHW in researching and developing one or more new cleaning product(s). Depending on interest and knowledge they may also develop a marketing plan for the product.
What are the main goals and activities of this internship?
The toxicity and unsustainability of cleaning and painting supplies is well documented. Every year cleaners and janitors die from work-related illnesses, primarily due to the use of toxic products. We have been cleaning nontoxically since we began, about nine years ago. Chemically-sensitive clients, environmentalists and facilities that have gray water discharge especially appreciate our work.
However, there is at least one toxic product that we wish we could use, and we believe that we can develop a nontoxic version.
The work of the intern will be to develop one or more products, starting with a feasibility study, and proceeding on to trials and testing.
Expectations, Responsibilities, and Duties:
- Research
- Participant observation
- Interviewing
- Writing
- Testing of product
- Attend meetings
Required qualifications:
- Excellent writing and research skills
- Willingness to perform, (rarely,) some manual labor, as a participant observer
- Ability to prioritize tasks, collect, and organize data
- Some experience performing research
- Commitment to being scent-free at work
Preferred qualifications:
- Background in Sustainability, Chemistry or related scientific field, Public Health or Business
- Experience cleaning or other manual labor, teaching, and sales
- Commitment to worker-owned cooperatives
- Commitment to a nontoxic lifestyle
Student Benefits:
- Professional experience as a product developer
- Deepened understanding of worker-owned cooperative movement
- Deepened understanding of effect of toxic products in human environments
- Developed network of colleagues promoting nontoxic and less toxic products
- Potential to convert internship to longer-term employment, and eventually to cooperative co-ownership
Internship location:
Office is located two blocks from Cattran stop, one mile north of the University. Up to about 50% of the work could be virtual, if the intern prefers.
Internship hours:
7-12 hours. Ideally, intern would be available on Mondays and/or Fridays. Some work can be done remotely, at any time of week.
Mentor:
Shay Salomon, of the development team will supervise this position. Other members will work closely with the intern
Potential number of interns desired for this position:
- Potentially two intern researchers could split the hours and form a research team. Note: We have also listed another internship, in curriculum development.
Learn more: https://air.arizona.edu/earthgrant
