Weekly Roundup - Evan's Story and Why It Matters

Weekly Roundup - Evan's Story and Why It Matters - July 29, 2026

Dear ,

Evan Hargreaves, an electrician and restaurant worker in Richmond, used to go to work sick because he couldn't afford to miss a paycheck. He kept his distance as best he could, but felt guilty every time a coworker or customer came near him. The next time he was sick, he went to work again. He wanted to do the right thing, but the system wouldn't let him. He's not alone. Over 1.2 million Virginia workers (41% of the workforce) faced the same impossible choice because they had no paid sick days.

This year, that changed. Thanks to advocacy led by the Virginia Interfaith Center, Virginia became the first state in the South to require employers to offer paid sick days. No more choosing between a paycheck and a coworker's or customer's health. Your support helped make that happen.

Will you help us protect this win and win the next one by making a gift today?

DONATE NOW

That's just one win from a landmark year. We also helped pass:

The Yes in God's Backyard (YIGBY) bill, making it easier for faith communities to build affordable housing on their land

A law requiring bias reduction and cultural competency training for doctors and nurses

Expanded protections for immigrants, students who are incarcerated, mothers and infants affected by substance exposure, —plus expanded access to nurses in public schools

But laws on paper don't change lives on their own. This summer, we're hosting many workshops, including our second annual Interfaith Justice Revival across Southwest Virginia. We're also leading workshops that help workers know their rights and congregations turn new laws into real housing. This fall, we will continue mobilizing voters to protect these wins.

This work costs money, and it's donors like you who keep us resilient. Grants come and go; your support keeps us going.

Your gift before August 29 goes directly to support our summer workshops and fall civic engagement programming.

Thank you for your support,

Keisha

Rev. Dr. LaKeisha Cook
Executive Director

Upcoming Events

The Interfaith Justice Revival has begun!

Staff members from Virginia Interfaith, the NAACP Virginia State Conference, and the Legal Aid Justice Center have begun their tour through Southwestern Virginia. If you live in the area, please join us this Wednesday or Friday!

Tazewell - Wed., July 29, 5:30pm – 7:30pm, Main Street United Methodist Church
Abingdon - Fri., July 31,10:00am – 12:00pm. Unitarian Universalist Church of the Highlands

We have also finalized the stops for our Interfaith Justice Revival along Virginia's south side!

Farmville: Thursday August 20 at 5pm
Suffolk: Tuesday, August 25 at 6pm
Martinsville: Thursday, August 27 at 5:30

GET MORE INFO

Poll Chaplain interest meeting Tues. Aug.18, 6-7:30 p.m. Zoom

As we prepare for the November election, we're excited to launch a new initiative: the Poll Chaplains Program. Faith leaders will have the opportunity to train as poll chaplains offering a calming, supportive presence at polling places during a season that can be stressful for many voters.

Are you a faith leader looking for a meaningful way to serve your community this election season? We'd love to have you join us. Click below to register for a zoom meeting to learn about the training, the role, and how you can get involved.

100% Voting Congregations/Communities

2026 is an important year for elections in Virginia! We are asking congregations, mosques, temples, and other faith communities to commit to having 100% voting participation in the electoral process.

Join us in this important work! For information, email Robert Lester, VICPP's civic engagement coordinator: robert@virginiainterfaithcenter.org

Recent Events

Get-out-the-vote tabling at One World - One Humanity: HERITAGEFEST

Robert Lester, VICPP’s civic engagement coordinator (photo on the left), and Rev. Dr. Marvin Gilliam spoke with community members about the importance of voting at the HERITAGEFEST event, presented by America's Islamic Heritage Museum, which celebrates diversity and honors shared legacies. July 25.

Rev. Dr. LaKeisha Cook participated in a roundtable focused on helping low-income Virginians

Rev. Dr. LaKeisha Cook, VICPP's executive director, participated in a July 24 roundtable discussion hosted by Governor Spanberger and Secretary Figueroa, Secretary of Health and Human Resources, with community-based organizations and philanthropists. They focused on how organizations can collectively support Virginians at risk of losing Medicaid and SNAP benefits under the work requirements of H.R. 1.

REV UP Virginia strengthens support for the disability vote

VICPP's Rev. Dr. LaKeisha Cook and Robert Lester attended REV UP Virginia’s Leadership Retreat on July 23. This in-person gathering hosted by AAPD’s REV UP National team and REV UP VA served to strengthen relationships and brainstorm the coalition's future direction.

Worker protections summit

VICPP’s Economic Justice Organizer, Ramón Zepeda Ramos, and Executive Director, Rev. Dr. LaKaisha Cook, attended the first-ever Virginia Summit on Worker Protections. The day-long event included participants from state and local government, unions, worker rights lawyers, and non-profit and worker advocacy organizations. A highlight was discussions about paid sick days and implementation plans. (Photo: L-R Ramón Zepeda Ramos, Jim Frederick, VA Commissioner of Labor, Paul Falabella, VICPP board member), July 16.

Supporting moms, doulas, midwives, and community health workers

Thanks to a generous donation of diapers and wipes from the Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University, VICPP staff is bringing these supplies to SW Virginia. Kathryn Haines, VICPP's health equity manager, will deliver them as she visits doulas, midwives, and community health workers. Photos L-R: VICPP interns Molly from William and Mary and James from VCU.

Virginia Interfaith Center in the News

Sacred Ground: How Virginia's Faith Communities are Answering the Affordable Housing Crisis

Faith communities across Virginia have an extraordinary opportunity to help address the Commonwealth's affordable housing shortage by transforming their land into affordable housing. Rev. Dr. LaKeisha Cook, Virginia Interfaith's executive director, writes about how new legislation that VICPP championed is removing barriers and empowering congregations to put their faith into action.

Virginia Funders Network
July, 2026
Blog post by Rev. Dr. LaKeisha Cook, executive director, VICPP

READ ARTICLE

News Stories about our Issues

Dickenson drug treatment center administrator hired, staff hiring begins

Cardinal News
July 23, 2026
By Anna Rubenstein

READ

ER visits by uninsured patients in Virginia hospitals spiked by 8% last year

Virginia Mercury
July 8, 2026
By, Charlotte Rene Woods

READ

Virginia SNAP enrollment drops as food assistance groups warn of growing need in Hampton Roads

13 NewsNow
July 27, 2026
By Keriana Gamboa

WATCH

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Help us continue to work for a more just society.

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

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Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy

1716 E. Franklin Street
Richmond, VA 23223

office@virginiainterfaithcenter.org

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