Become a Living Wage Congregation

Become a Living Wage Congregation - August 9, 2023

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Dear ,

It's not too late to get your congregation (or denominational office) certified as a Living Wage employer before Labor Day.

Minimum wage is not enough for people, let alone families, to live on. Although VICPP has worked to raise the minimum and supports doing that, we also know that we need to advocate living wages, or as folks used to say, "saving wages" -- a wage you can save something on.

Over Labor Day weekend, VICPP will be promoting the living wage congregations as a way to encourage more employers to get certified through our Living Wage Certification program and promote faith values around fair pay. Here are the congregations certified so far:

Accotink Unitarian Universalist (Accotink)
Community Mennonite Church (Harrisonburg)
Emmanuel Episcopal Church (Middleburg)
Ginter Park Presbyterian Church (Richmond)
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (Alexandria)
Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church (Alexandria)
Muhlenberg Lutheran Church (Harrisonburg)
Otterbein United Methodist Church (Harrisonburg)
Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church (Arlington)
Park View Mennonite Church (Harrisonburg)
Saint Paul's Episcopal Church (Richmond)
Shalom Mennonite Congregation (Harrisonburg)
Trinity Episcopal Church (Charlottesville)
Trinity Presbyterian Church (Harrisonburg)
University Baptist Church (Charlottesville)

It is super easy to get certified. Check HERE to review the living wage rates for your community. We will certify you at either tier one or two, even though we will not differentiate in our outreach over Labor Day. If you meet the wage rates (or you raise your lowest wages to meet them), submit an application. For most congregations, it takes less than ten minutes. We will review the application and get back to you quickly with any questions. All information remains confidential and if there is a concern, it will only be raised with the applicant. Use the button below.

The faith community can't lead on living wages if we are not striving to pay them ourselves. As Pastor Kate Costa of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church says, "Our best resource is our people! As a congregation we strive to support our staff in ways that are fair and bring joy, while doing the work of God's mission together. Providing a living wage is one small step we can take towards enacting God's kin-dom on earth. We're grateful for this chance to examine our wage practices, and to encourage others in the Commonwealth to do the same."

Please help us encourage living wages. Get certified today.

Gratefully,

Kim Bobo
Executive Director

P.S. The certification application will work for your business too.

Get Certified Today

Calls to Action

St. Bridget's Catholic Church

Aug 17, 6:30 - 8:30 PM

INFO & REGISTER

Coastal Virginia Unitarian Universalist Church

Aug 29, 6:30-8:30 PM

INFO & REGISTER

Time TBD

Location TBD

STAY TUNED!

100% Voting Congregations

Become a 100% Voting Congregation & Display a banner to show it!

Congregations that pledge to be 100 percent voting will receive a 6' x 3' vinyl banner with this image to display inside or outdoors. 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!

LEARN MORE HERE

Updates and Resources

VICPP Supports Starbucks Workers

This past Monday, August 7th, VICPP staff and volunteers hosted three adopt-a-shop events in Richmond and Warrenton supporting the Starbucks Workers' National Day of Action. There were actions at 332 stores in 32 states, and at least 1,000 people attended events nationwide. VICPP volunteers had great conversations with customers about the need for workers to organize without fear and harassment.

If you would like to participate in future events, please email your interest to Jase Hatcher, jase@virginiainterfaithcenter.org, to be added to the list. In the meantime, please let your Starbucks baristas know that you are in support of their right to organize and to have a union if that is what they want. Simple acts of solidarity (and words of encouragement) matter.

Voting information

https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation/Lookup/status

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.

FIND YOUR NEW DISTRICT INFORMATION

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!

CHECK STATUS OF YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION

In the News

Photo Credit: Bob Brown, Times Dispatch

Virginia Senate working on response to latest House budget proposal

Richmond Times Dispatch, August 3, 2023

by Dave Ress

Labor Law: Dept. of Labor announces recovery of millions in unpaid wages against 8 companies

Richmond Times Dispatch, Washington Post, July 29, 2023

by Karen Michael

WHAT NEXT?

Help us continue to work for a more just society.

The greatest impact cannot be made alone. Get involved with VICPP and be a part of the mission to advocate for a more just and sustainable world, starting right here in our own communities.

Click the buttons below to spread the word and to forward this email, and to donate to VICPP, an organization that has been doing impactful work for decades.

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The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy advocates racial, social, and economic justice in Virginia’s policies and practices through education, prayer, and action.

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Richmond, VA 23223

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