Dear ,
As the weekend comes around, we wanted to send out a quick reminder about an important advocacy event coming up next Tuesday. It's likely you've already heard about the Homeless Day on the Hill organized by the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless. We need your help to show legislators that homeless services are a priority and that the community is engaged in these efforts.
Please sign up here for the Homeless Day on the Hill on March 15, 2011.
Knowing that you all have very busy schedules, any efforts to attend the Day on the Hill are sincerely appreciated. For those who can't make it to the event, please call your legislators on March 15 to voice your support. This is an annual opportunity for all members of the community to join together and advocate for resources to help homeless families, individuals, and youth regain housing and stability.
Here's the scoop on the March 15th event:
- There will be an educational workshop from 9-10 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church.
- Legislative meetings have been set up from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the State Capitol.
- There will be a hearing on a bill to appropriate funds for emergency shelter and transitional housing starting at 12:30 p.m. that day.
Three ways it is easy to attend:
1. If you have not previously registered and just show up that day - it's ok! Just go to Capitol Room 217 to get a packet of information!
2. The Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless has guides to assist visitors with parking, tips for talking to legislators, advocacy basics, and other resources here.
3. There is NO RALLY - they decided to focus on thoughtful dialogue with Legislators over a rally in the rotunda.
* IF YOU CAN'T COME - Please call your Representative and Senator to voice concern over the loss of $3 million for the Long-Term Homeless Supportive Services Fund (LTHSSF)! The LTHSSF, which serves people experiencing long-term homelessness across Minnesota, is facing almost 1/4 in funding losses (from $12.8m to $9.8m for the biennium) under current proposals. Minnesota should target resources to the most vulnerable; homeless services should be held harmless.
- MN House: (651) 296-2146 or (800) 657-3550
- MN Senate: (651) 296-0504 or (888) 234-1112
A final reason to consider speaking up: The majority in the State Legislature is proposing over $1 billion in cuts to Health and Human Services that could devastate health programs, social services, and support for low-income and homeless Minnesotans. Check out the story here.
Thank you for all of your work, and we hope to see you there on March 15th!
