WHY we Advocate:
While our investments, impact strategies, and partnerships help meet the immediate needs of our neighbors, good public policy is crucial to addressing the root causes of the challenges and inequities in our communities. The famous United Way brandmark will receive greater emphasis in future marketing—it is informally called the “Circle of Hope.” (The rainbow symbolizes hope, the hand symbolizes help, and the person in the middle represents humanity.) Embedded in “hope” is “change”—including the systemic change we seek to create through advocacy—that is, hope that our communities will become different for the better.
Providing opportunities for our neighbors to be more connected to decisions being made for them and their community is one way UWSM is responding to what we learned through our Community Conversations. Our neighbors across Southwest Michigan aspire to have greater representation and voice in community decision-making, and a strong desire to be involved in the shaping of their communities. Mobilizing advocates in public policy and lifting more voices is an impactful way to break down barriers to success and create meaningful, sustainable change.
For WHOM we Advocate:
In United Way of Southwest Michigan’s service area, about 37% of households are working hard, but still struggling to afford basic necessities. A few of these community members are living below the federal poverty level, but nearly 2/3 earn more and are still unable to cover the basic cost of living. These neighbors and their families are living under the ALICE threshold. ALICE – Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed – households exist in every corner of Southwest Michigan. From lakeshore communities like South Haven and New Buffalo, to rural towns like Watervliet and Cassopolis, and the urban centers of Benton Harbor and Niles.
HOW we Advocate:
UWSM defines “Advocacy” as “Actions taken in order to effect change for a cause we are invested in.” We Advocate in the following ways:
▪ Building relationships and sharing information and data with elected leaders at the local, state and federal levels.
▪ Working with partners to research, understand and track proposed legislation, executive orders and administrative rules to determine the potential impact on our community and neighbors.
▪ Educating legislators about the issues facing the ALICE population in our community and the opportunities to strengthen those households with policies and funding that ultimately benefit all.
▪ Inspiring the public to support proposed policies and come alongside United Way in sharing their support with legislators.
▪ Mobilizing the collective power of UWSM’s Impact Partners and lifting the voice of the nonprofit community in Southwest Michigan.
Our 2024 Advocacy Agenda focuses on advancing support for a strong 211 system, so it remains a reliable resource to connect our community members to local agencies and services that meet their immediate needs, especially those related to food security and safe housing.
Our call for support includes increased state funding, increased understanding of 211 infrastructure, and recognition of the value 211 provides to individuals and to the community.
2024 ADVOCACY AGENDA ITEMS
click each to learn more
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The HELP Act’s stated purpose is “to facilitate nationwide accessibility and coordination of 211 services and 988 services in order to provide information and referral to all residents and visitors in the United States for mental health emergencies, homelessness needs, other social and human services needs, and for other purposes.” While the current iteration of the HELP Act is in the process of being drafted, the most recent version (introduced in 2021) proposed authorizing $550 million for 211 and 988 for two years, and an additional $450 million for the five years after that. While Congress would still need to fund these programs after they are authorized, the bill would substantially boost capacity for the 211 network and is a top legislative priority for United Way Worldwide.
What can we accomplish? - In coordination with United Way Worldwide, garner support for the HELP Act from our Congresspeople.
Why is this important in Southwest Michigan?
1. 2-1-1 is the efficient, effective, and non-bureaucratic tool to help community members meet day-to-day necessities and connect with resources in times of emergencies.
2. UWSM provides essential funding to local 211 call centers, which connect our community members needing assistance and UWSM-funded impact partners that can help them.
3. Between July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023, there were 17,280 made from Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties to 211. The top reasons to contact 211 were food, housing, utility assistance, and the Benton Harbor Water crisis.
4. 211’s innovative and synergistic approach responds to the needs of individuals and communities in crisis 24/7/365.
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What can we accomplish? - Ensure Michigan 211 has adequate funding and support so it can continue to be a resource for families for their immediate needs and for state and local governments during times of emergencies and natural disasters.
Why is this important in Southwest Michigan?
1. UWSM provides essential funding to local 211 call centers, which connect our community members needing assistance and UWSM-funded impact partners that can help them.
2. Between July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023, there were 17,280 made from Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties to 211. The top reasons to contact 211 were food, housing, utility assistance, and the Benton Harbor Water crisis.
3. 211’s innovative and synergistic approach responds to the needs of individuals and communities in crisis 24/7/365.
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What can we accomplish? - Ensure everyone in every household has access to enough food by expanding income guidelines to food security programs and making universal access to free school meals permanent.
Why is this important in Southwest Michigan?
1. Food assistance was the #1 request to 211 from people in Southwest Michigan between July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023.
2. Food insecurity is having unreliable access to healthy food. The causes of food insecurity are complex, and it can affect every aspect of life, from education and health to a child’s cognitive development (feedwm.org).
3. In southwest Michigan 13.3% of all individuals are food insecure.
4. The need is even greater among children, with 16.9% of children under the age of 18 experiencing food insecurity.
5. The senior population is growing rapidly. Our region will have more seniors than children by 2034. Currently, 8.3% of Michiganders over the age of 60 experience food insecurity. (Disrupting Disparities: 2023 Findings Reveal Disparities in Food and Retirement Security Among Michigan Adults AARP December 12, 2023)
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What can we accomplish? - Ensure families have safe places to stay by expanding housing assistance and reducing barriers to affordable housing.
Why is this important in Southwest Michigan?
1. Housing and Utility assistance were the #2 and #3 requests to 211 from people in Southwest Michigan between July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023.
2. Those who spend more than 30 percent of their household income on housings costs are considered to be cost burdened. About 27% of households in Berrien County, 22% in Cass County, and 25% in Van Buren County are cost burdened.
3. In Southwest Michigan, more than 1,400 children experience homelessness OR don’t know where they’re going to sleep at night.
If your organization would like advocacy support from UWSM on a specific policy issue, please complete the Rapid Response Review form to tell us more about your request. The UWSM Advocacy Committee or advocacy staff will review your request and determine if we are able to participate in your efforts. We will selectively lend support on policy items that align with our core issues of Education, Health, Financial Stability, and Basic Needs. If you have any questions, please reach out to Heather Cole at heather.cole@uwsm.org
Emma, a 25-year-old Coloma resident, graduate of Western Michigan University, and professional videographer, shares her story of seeking affordable housing and urges our Southwest Michigan community to advocate for solutions to this crisis so that everyone can afford the housing that every person deserves.