Dear ,

We think of civic engagement as voter registration and getting out the vote. It is that, but it is also engaging with legislators on policy priorities. With the elections finally behind us, VICPP will be kicking things into high gear for the General Assembly, which begins two months from today. 

Between you and me -- I'll be glad not to see all the hateful TV ads and desperate emails begging for money. 

As a non-partisan nonprofit organization, VICPP works to make Virginia more equitable and just through public policy and grassroots advocacy regardless of who holds the majority and who wins elections. Over the past 40 years, VICPP has worked successfully alongside legislators of all parties to make the Commonwealth a welcoming and equitable place for ALL people.

This morning, I presented before the Virginia Housing Commission about the need for more investment in affordable housing. I shared our current legislative priorities, as described in our Affordable Housing Fact Sheet (CLICK HERE to read). I also discussed opportunities for congregations to use land and buildings for affordable housing (especially given declining numbers in many congregations), ways to make congregational affordable housing projects more effective and streamlined, challenges with congregations and individuals assisting with first time home buyers, other proposals for increasing the supply of affordable housing, and the importance of ensuring that residential construction pays workers fairly and legally (residential construction is rife with wage theft). 

Affordable housing is a crisis in urban and rural areas. Republicans and Democrats, home builders and social justice advocates can find common ground to address this crisis. This summer, the Governor held a series of listening sessions on housing affordability. We are looking forward to working with the Administration and legislators to ensure that all Virginians are housed. 

Affordable housing is one of several priority issues for our advocacy. Read the summary of VICPP priorities and most of the priority issue factsheets HERE.

Registration is now available for: 

• Day for All People
  We will be in-person, January 18th, 2023 at Centenary United Methodist Churches. Buses will be available from Tidewater and NOVA. CLICK HERE to register now to get the early-bird discount.
   
• Student Day of Action
  February 2-3. This event will be in-person for the first time ever. Yeah!! Encourage college-age students or seminarians you know to participate and register. CLICK HERE to register! 

You can also join our:

• Witness at the Capitol team -- email me at:  Kim@virginiainterfaithcenter.org 
  
  
• Social Media Team -- email: AyeshaGT@virginiainterfaithcenter.org

The elections are over for this year, but civic engagement continues. 

 


Sincerely,

Kim Bobo
Executive Director 

Join VICPP staff a week from today, next Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 5:00 p.m. as we come together in solidarity to stand against HATE in our community.

Recently, the India K' Raja restaurant, located in northside Henrico County (Richmond area), was vandalized with racist slurs graffitied on its property. We have reached out to the family who owns the restaurant to offer our moral support. Let's use eating delicious Indian cuisine as an excuse to show the India K' Raja team that the community stands with them against the recent hate-filled rhetoric they've suffered. In the greater community, an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us. Please join us. 

Click the graphic above to view and read the news story on the attack.

Click the button below to RSVP to attend so that we can try to let them know how many diners to expect that day. 

ICYMI, VICPP compiled selfie videos from college students all over the Commonwealth who urged their peers to take advantage of Virginia's new same day voter registration law and get out and vote! Check out the fun video we put together. Fun fact: It features some of VICPP's incredible past interns, as well as VICPP's New Leadership Engagement Organizer Dr. Terri Erwin! Please be sure to share and repost, as well. 

This prison is such a mess! Virginia can do better. We urge Secretary of Homeland Security Bob Mosier and Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) Director Harold Clarke to cancel the contract with The GEO Group and return management of this prison to the Department of Corrections. Click the button below to use our simple automated system to email VADOC Director Clarke. Use our template message or write your own.

The PUSH Coalition invites you to two special events in our effort to end unnecessary pregnancy-related deaths in the current maternal mortality public health crisis! On Nov. 14, we will review three proposed amendment recommendations to our implicit bias training bill that was continued from the 2022 session to the 2023 session—your feedback is essential! We will also share two potential new bills that we are exploring, which support maternal hubs and birthing centers. On Dec. 1, we will convene a special panel discussion to delve into the evidence of the impact of implicit bias training in maternal care settings. Our special guest is Mr. Charles Johnson, who lost his wife Kira during a routine C-section for a healthy pregnancy after she was left for more than 10 hours with a hemorrhage bleeding into her abdomen. Share this announcement within your networks and join us! Register for both meetings separately using the buttons below!

For a more comprehensive list of upcoming events, please click the button below to check out the VICPP Events webpage.  

Op-Ed by VICPP Civic Engagement Organizer Robert M. Lester

Letter: Not registered to vote on Nov. 8? No problem

Richmond Times-Dispatch, Nov. 6, 2022

By Robert M. Lester

‘My wife’s legacy gives a voice to the voiceless’

Parents, Oct. 28, 2022

By Kristi Pahr