Become a 100% voting congregation! 2026 is an important election year in Virginia. We ask congregations, mosques, temples, and all faith communities to commit to 100% voter participation in the upcoming election. Join us in this important work. Email Robert Lester for more info. robert@virginiainterfaithcenter.org (Photo: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Charlottesville with the 100% voting banner)

Virginia Election Protection is a dedicated coalition of congregations, organizations, and volunteers. Together, we make up the largest nonpartisan voter protection effort in the Commonwealth, working to ensure the rights of all Virginia voters are upheld. If you want to volunteer to work at the polls, sign up at the link below for a training and a shift on Oct. 24, Oct. 31, or Nov. 3 (Election Day) 

Rev. Cook will serve on the Governor’s Commission on Unlocking Housing Production and the Virginia African American Advisory Board. The appointments give her a voice in two of the most pressing issues facing Virginia: the housing shortage and racial equity. 

Several staff members attended the signing of the Virginia United Coalition, which formalizes a partnership of organizations across Virginia that have committed to working collaboratively to help people avoid falling through the cracks and losing Medicaid and SNAP coverage due to new changes connected to HR1. Oct. 19.  (Photo L-R: Rev. Dr. LaKeisha Cook, Deputy HHR Secretary Lauryn Walker and VICPP’s JD DeLeon) 

Watch or listen to the new episode of VICPP’s “Faith, Policy, and Purpose” podcast. Is voting a faith issue? Rev. Dr. Ponder says, “Yes and yes.” In this conversation with VICPP's communications director, Roberta Oster, he explains why civic engagement is an ethical, moral, and faith-based responsibility. 

Rev. Dr. LaKeisha Cook served as a panelist at the Interfaith Resiliency conference hosted by Faith Communities in Action in Falls Church, VA, on Oct. 15. (Photo: Rev. Cook second from right)

Sheila Herlihy Hennessee, VICPP’s director of faith organizing, gave an overview of how faith voices can shape legislative advocacy at a breakout session at the national CCDA conference in Richmond on Oct. 9. (Photo: Sheila in front)

Rev. Dr. LaKeisha Cook delivered the sermon for Racial Reconciliation at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Richmond on Oct. 18. 

In case you missed it! This year, almost all of VICPP’s policy priorities passed the General Assembly, and the Governor signed them into law. But where do we go from here? Watch the recording to learn why advocating for strong implementation and regulation of new laws matters in Virginia.

Rev. Dr. LaKeisha Cook attended the inaugural Faith and Blue prayer breakfast in Alexandria, Virginia, alongside interfaith leaders, law enforcement, and community members from Alexandria and across the National Capital Region to celebrate peace, unity, leadership, and hope. (Rev. Cook pictured with Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire) 

Kathryn Haines, VICPP’s director of policy, spoke on a panel at the Interfaith Forum of Commonality & Togetherness for a Just World, attended by more than 100 people. The World Council of Muslims for Interfaith Relations and local partners hosted the event. (Photo L-R: Moderator Dr. Tarek, Kathryn Haines, Imam Shaykh Ammar Amonette of the Islamic Center of VA, and Rabbi Ahuva Zaches of Congregation Or Ami in Richmond) 

Rev. Dr. LaKeisha Cook attended the Guns to Garden event, where firearms were melted down to protest gun violence. VICPP’s James River Chapter and the Williamsburg United Methodist Church hosted the event. (Photo L-R: Rev. Dr. LaKeisha Cook and Tim Kloth, head of the James River Chapter)

Virginia Mercury
Oct. 20, 2026
By Charlotte Rene Woods

VICPP is mentioned in this story about the Virginia United Compact in a ceremony hosted by Gov. Spanberger's Health and Human Resources Department (Photo: HHR Secretary Marvin Figueroa and VICPP's JD DeLeon)

Cardinal News
Oct. 10, 2026
By Emily Schabacker

Kathryn Haines, VICPP's director of policy, is quoted (Photo: Doula Roshay Richardson, right, and midwife Elissa Orr, left, work together to support Maya White during labor. Photo by Jameel Rashad Austin via Cardinal News).

Kathryn Haines, VICPP's director of policy contributed to the newly released John Hopkins School of Nursing publication that references a Midwife Work Group which was created by VICPP-led legislative efforts and included in Virginia’s July 1, 2026 budget.

Save the date! Join hundreds of people of all faiths and people of goodwill from across Virginia for VICPP's annual lobby day. Meet with your legislators and their aides at the General Assembly in Richmond to advocate economic, racial and social justice, and participate in dynamic workshops. We'll share a registration link soon. Click below to watch a video about the event.