Dear ,

Does your congregation pay living wages? If so, would you allow VICPP to recognize your congregation over Labor Day weekend as a living wage congregation -- to encourage others?

VICPP has supported several local living wage certification programs in Virginia and then last year created a way any business in Virginia could get certified. A handful of congregations have applied and been certified already, but we'd like to encourage congregations to "lead by example," by getting certified. 

Costs of living have gone up a lot recently, and thus what constitutes a living wage has had to increase as well. VICPP has built a partnership with Living Wage for Us, a national living wage group that has developed a sophisticated model for determining living wages by county and city. Tier One, ranging from $15 to $18 in Virginia, is the entry wage and employers commit to working to reach Tier Two. Tier Two, ranging from $16 to $24, is the real living wage and can include offsets like housing or childcare assistance, however, VICPP is not yet set up to handle the offset calculations. Thus, we are certifying at the Tier One or Tier Two level solely based on wages. Click HERE to see the Tier One and Two levels for your county or city.  

The application to be certified is easy. Just make sure you know the lowest wages paid and who, if anyone, is paid as an independent contractor. (Sometimes employers, including congregations, disguise low-wages by calling workers independent contractors when they really are, and should be paid as, employees. Although using legitimate independent contractors is fine, of course.)  Please ask the appropriate person or committee in your congregation to apply to be living wage certified if you meet the standards of either Tier One or Two. Simply forward this email. All information provided on the application will remain confidential. You can also copy and paste this link to access the application: www.livingwagevirginia.org/congregations/

Become a 100% Voting Congregation!

With important General Assembly elections coming up this fall, it’s key for faith communities to live out their values as faithful citizens and voters. Encourage your congregational leadership to sign the 100% pledge! Find out more at the button below.

“A community health worker (CHW) is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables the worker to serve as a liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery.”  —American Public Health Association  

Research shows that community health workers are proven leaders in the fight to end health disparities and increase vaccine equity. Please reach out to Kathryn@virginainterfaithcenter.org if you are interested in a free online training opportunity provided by the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts for CHWs. 

Not sure about your district or your registration?

If you aren’t sure about your new House and Senate districts, check today at the fabulous website run by the Virginia Public Access Project – VPAP. Simply type your home address and you’ll get info about your new House and Senate Districts and who is running in the primary election and the general election. 

Or, if you are not sure if you are registered, you can confirm your registration by checking with the Virginia Department of Elections using the button below. Don't forget, Virginia has same day voter registration, so make a plan to vote on election day even if you're not registered!

Monday, June 19, is the celebration of Juneteenth here in Virginia and across the country. This holiday, also known as Freedom Day and Jubilee Day, is the official commemoration of slavery ending in the United States. Find a celebration near you!

• Greater Roanoke (courtesy of WDBJ7): CLICK HERE
• Hampton Roads (courtesy of 13News Now): CLICK HERE
• Fredricksburg (courtesy of The Free Lance-Star): CLICK HERE
• Northern Virginia (courtesy of Inside Nova): CLICK HERE
• Petersburg (courtesy of The Progress Index): CLICK HERE
• Richmond (courtesy of Style Weekly): CLICK HERE
• Williamsburg (courtesy of the Miami Herald): CLICK HERE