Dear ,

Monday is Labor Day. Many workers continue to struggle this year due in large part to poverty wages that can’t possibly cover the high costs of housing, healthcare, and childcare. The 2023 ALICE Report published by Virginia’s United Way says that 38 percent of families struggle to make ends meet.

VICPP has prepared a 2023 Labor Day weekend bulletin for use in your congregations (or you can just share it with friends and families).

Virginia has big news this week! It appears that we will finally get a budget agreement. The good news is that there is a lot of investment in education and behavioral health. We don’t yet know for sure about some of the smaller budget items VICPP has been advocating.

Although we are pleased that most of the permanent tax cuts were not enacted, the across-the-board tax cuts are not as targeted toward low-income families as they could be. For example, all taxpayers will get $200 (single filer) or $400 (family filer). Why do wealthy taxpayers need this?

If you are like me and don’t need it, click to make an extra contribution to VICPP or your favorite group that fights poverty.  

The most important things we can do this fall to fight poverty and advance policies to help working and low-income families are to encourage people to vote and talk with candidates about our concerns and priorities. VICPP is doing more than ever to support you becoming engaged. You can: 

• Encourage your congregation to take the 100 percent voting pledge (virginiainterfaithcenter.ourpowerbase.net/hundred-percent-voting) and then work to make it a reality. Congratulations to the following congregations that took the pledge this week: Blacksburg Presbyterian; St. Johns UCC, Richmond; Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Hampton, St. Paul's Baptist Church, Henrico; Gospel Baptist Church, Richmond
• Write postcards to infrequent African American voters. Volunteers have signed up for more than 4,950 postcards already. Email Robert@virginiainterfaithcenter.org about how many cards you’d like (in batches of at least 100). We can mail them or you can pick them up at the Richmond office.   
• Register for a candidate forum or a candidate meet-and-greet. We are struggling to get all candidates to commit to the forums, so we may need to reformat the events to meet-and-greets.  
• Volunteer to be an election protection voter advocate on election day in Hampton Roads, Richmond, Loudoun or Prince William. Election Protection voter advocates are the first line of defense for voting rights across Virginia. You will join a network of hundreds of Virginians across the Commonwealth answering questions and reporting problems during early voting and on election day. Volunteers are trained and guided throughout the entire process and are paid a stipend for their work. Become a defender of democracy and sign up to protect the vote. Click HERE to register and find shift times and locations.  

Thankful for your advocacy, 

Kim Bobo
Executive Director

All people of faith and good will are welcomed and invited to join the James River Chapter of the Virginia Interfaith Center of Public Policy via Zoom on Thursday, September 14th from 12-1 PM as we discuss ways to nourish our communities starving for justice with hope, healing, power and love.

Each of us has the power to do justice. It can be voting for a candidate with a desire to implement policies and legislation that nourishes communities with justice, hope and healing. Or it can be us speaking out, educating, and praying against injustice such as racism, gun violence, wage theft, and health inequities. As John Lewis, civil rights leader and congressman said, "Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble."

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! 

Happy Community Health Workers Awareness Week!

Community Health Workers are trusted community voices linking their neighborhoods and networks to health care access. Also powerful models of advocacy, they serve as magnets to many historically marginalized groups--drawing them into greater levels of civic participation. This group was off to the General Assembly! VICPP supports sustainable funding for Community Health Workers in Virginia.

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!

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.   

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