Advocacy

Importance

At The Center-Philadelphia we believe it is important to not only meet people’s physical needs but also recognize we are working within unjust and broken systems. Thus, advocacy is an important part of the work we do to raise awareness to the barriers of access experienced by our unhoused and unsheltered neighbors and to push for the creation of more just and equitable systems.

Contact Your Legislator

Call the Capital Switch Board: (202)-224-3121
Follow the below script:Hello, I am a constituent from (City, State and Zip Code). I would like to speak to my Members of Congress.

You have 3 Members of Congress: 2 Senators and 1 Representative. This switch board will connect you to your legislator. Once connected, follow the below script:

Hello,

My name is XXXX. I am from (City) and I am a justice-seeking person.

I am calling today about (issue).

I believe (talk about the issue you are calling about).

I feel it is important to advocate for policies that are equitable and just. Please join me in doing so. I urge my (Representative/Senator) to (make a specific ask – eg. Vote no on or pass legislation that will ….).

Thank you for your work on behalf of the people of (location).

Past Advocacy Events

On Wednesday, October 26, 2022, the Center-Philadelphia and Arch Street UMC were honored to host Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Marcia Fudge, and Director of the Domestic Policy Council of the United States, Ambassador Susan Rice for a roundtable discussion on the issues facing our unhoused and unsheltered neighbors. Liz Hersh, Director of Philadelphia’s Office of Homeless Services organized the event that included presenters from Pathways to Housing, Philadelphia Health Management Corporation, Women Against Abuse, One Day At A TIme (ODAAT), PHL Cares and our own Deaconess Darlene DiDomineck and John Buzby. Members of Congress, Dwight Evans and Mary Gay Scanlon along with Mayor Jim Kenney were on hand to hear the stories of persons who experienced living on the street. We greatly appreciate the time and energy of all who participated.

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During this round table discussion, we discussed the need for intersectional policy change to dismantle the systems of oppression that disproportionately affect our most vulnerable neighbors and keep folks in a cycle of homelessness. We raised concerns for the unique barriers faced by unhoused and unsheltered individuals within the homelessness system and emphasized the benefits of the secular and sacred working together to create a more loving and just world.

Thank you so much to everyone who made this event possible and to those who came with open ears to discuss how to best care for our folks on a national policy level.