Advocacy
Definition: Advocate: a person who speaks or writes in support or defense of a person, cause, etc.
“The complexity of the problems we face and the richness of the opportunities offered demand that we engage in building bridges between rich and poor and establishing advocacy links of mutual support between those who hold political power and those who find it difficult to voice their interests.” - Jesuit General Congregation 35
Learn from the National Coalition for the Homeless
Advocacy is critical to creating the systemic changes needed to end homelessness. Advocacy means working with people experiencing homelessness to bring about positive changes in policies and programs on the local, state, and federal levels. It means working with various sectors of the community (e.g. city/county officials, members of Congress, direct service providers, and the business community) to develop workable strategies for responding to homelessness. It also means changing your language and behaviors in small ways that may contribute to larger changes in the way people experiencing homelessness are seen and treated in our society. Learn how to be an advocate here.
Advocate for the Homeless
Write a letter: tell Congress to include emergency funds for homelessness in coronavirus response. Express to your Member of Congress that it’s essential to provide funds to homelessness and housing programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are from another state, that you can fill out the form twice-- once with your JCU address and again with your home address--in order to send the letter to the Congresspeople of both states.
Fight Xenophobia
Spit On, Yelled At, Attacked: Chinese-Americans Fear for Their Safety. As bigots blame them for the coronavirus and President Trump labels it the “Chinese virus,” many Chinese-Americans say they are terrified of what could come next. Written by Sabrina Tavernise and Richard A. Oppel Jr for the NY Times and published on March 23, 2020.
Student Relief Fund
As a college student, you can apply for financial assistance through Believe in Students.
An estimated six million students struggle with basic living expenses, putting them at risk of leaving without degrees. We Believe in Students is dedicated to ensuring that all students have their basic needs met so that they can learn and thrive.
Learn More about Believe in Students HERE
Urge Senators to Support The Global Child Thrive Act
Write a letter: More than half of the world's refugees are children. Many face life-long challenges in their development due to trauma of having seen the devastation of war in their communities and the stress from being forced to flee their homes. COVID-19 makes supporting and caring for vulnerable children even more critical. Send an email letter through this template from CRS to your senators to help children worldwide in support of the Global Child Thrive Act.
Use Your Voice to Help Your Neighbors in Need
Urge Congress to increase SNAP benefits in the next COVID-19 relief package. Write a letter to Congress through the Greater Cleveland Food Bank HERE! A modest increase to SNAP will help ensure that every family impacted by the current pandemic- whether it is due to lost work, lost wages, or school closures- can continue to keep food on the table. Although food banks provide meals to millions across Ohio, SNAP is still the first line of defense against hunger. For every one meal provided by food banks, SNAP provides nine. It is critical that families impacted by the current health emergency can access all the help they need to keep food on the table.
Watch a video about SNAP HERE.
Email service@jcu.edu with a screenshot of your letter!
Tell Officials to Support The Refugee Admissions Program
On November 30, 2020 news broke that the Trump administration plans to set the Fiscal Year 2021 refugee admissions ceiling at just 15,000, a dramatic all-time low. According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, there are nearly 30 million refugees in the world, the highest number in history. As the world faces uncertainty in a global pandemic, now is the time to express compassion and willingness to welcome refugees. The Administration's drastic cut in refugee admissions has not been consulted with Congress, and is still pending (as of 10-2-20). Call your Officials and tell them to demand raising the number of refugees admitted to the US in 2021. You can also share this letter expressing support. Information is from US Together.
Tell Congress to Ensure Housing Stability During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic
Use the email template found HERE from the National Low Income Housing Coalition to contact your members of Congress and ask them to ensure that the next Congressional stimulus package further addresses the needs of our lowest-income neighbors. Access to healthcare, housing, food assistance and other services provided in response to Coronavirus should be available to everyone, regardless of income, immigration status, involvement with the criminal justice system, or insurance.
Email service@jcu.edu with a screenshot of your letter!
