December 14, 2018
Strategic Business Planning Update
The strategic business planning process has continued to push forward this Fall. The focus has turned to thinking about how to implement decisions effectively. The consultants are working closely with YWCA USA staff to define the essential work needed and related network supports, and expectations required for success. We will follow up with information about additional opportunities for network representatives to review emerging recommendations in January and February.
Stand Against Racism 2019
We are excited to announce our theme for our upcoming 2019 Stand Against Racism campaign: No Hate, No Fear. This year, we will be focusing on immigration and racism, and the ways in which they intersect. We know that immigrant justice is racial justice, and that xenophobia, bigotry, and racism is continuing to impact the lives and safety of our communities. With ongoing attacks on immigrants taking place in our communities across the country, and with continued xenophobic rhetoric and sentiment amplified across huge media platforms that we engage with every day, we feel like this topic is incredibly timely, appropriate, and relevant for this year’s campaign. Please be on the look-out for more details about new materials and resources in the new year!
New from the Resource Library
New in the YWCA Online Resource Library is December's Mission Minute postcard, What Women Want 2018. Designed for wide distribution, the card provides a quick look at what more than 1,000 women representing all major age, race, ethnic, and political affiliation groups listed as their greatest needs in the areas of racial justice and civil rights, empowerment and economic advancement, and health and safety services for women and girls. In addition to the printable PDF copy of the postcard, versions for social media and web postings are also available.
Join the YWCAs of CA in a Twitter Town Hall: Immigrants are Welcome Here!
Next Thursday, December 20 at 2 p.m. ET, the YWCAs of California will host a Twitter Town Hall about the criminalization of people of color with a focus on the unjust deportation and over-surveillance of immigrant communities. We hope that you and your YWCA will join this online discussion by responding to questions posed by @YWCAUSA from 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET on December 20. It’s a great opportunity to share resources and ideas so we can connect and collaborate towards action, and to highlight the work that YWCAs are doing across the country around this issue. Participate and follow along with the hashtag #ImmigrantJustice, and be sure to tag @YWCAUSA in your tweets.
Celebrate Legislative Progress on Key Policy Priorities!
In the waning days of the Lame Duck Congressional session, bipartisan progress was finally achieved on legislation that advances key YWCA policy priorities:
- The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) passed through the Senate on Tuesday, December 11, and is headed to the House of Representatives. YWCA USA has supported this bill for many years and is thrilled to see the passage of legislation that would protect families and children from entering the juvenile justice system.
- Reauthorization of the “Farm Bill” – which includes funding for the Special Needs Assistance Program (SNAP/formerly called food stamps). In a major win, the legislative package excludes additional work requirements for low-income SNAP beneficiaries.
- Maternal health bills – the Improving Access to Maternity Care Act passed through the Senate on Thursday, December 6, and is headed to the President’s desk after passing the House unanimously last year. In addition, the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act passed unanimously in the House on Tuesday, December 11.
Advocacy Actions of the Week
- ACA Open Enrollment for 2019 Ends THIS WEEK – Let’s Get Our Communities Enrolled! The 2019 annual Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment period ends SATURDAY, December 15, 2018. Community members can visit healthcare.gov to sign up for an individual marketplace plan, or Get Covered America to find a local, in-person assister to answer questions and help them enroll.
- Share Your GOTV Success! YWCA USA is excited to learn more about just how each of you supported your communities this election season. We will report back early next year with a summary of our collective work as well as highlights from our Nationwide GOTV Initiative! Please take a moment to fill out this feedback survey by the end of TODAY, FRIDAY, December 14, so that we can continue to celebrate your success and measure our collective power.
Survey: 2019 YWCA USA National Conference
Let us know what you want to see at our upcoming national conference by filling out this survey. As national staff work to plan this biennial conference, taking place in Washington, DC on June 5-8, 2019, we’re interested in your thoughts and feedback. Please tell us your ideas by December 21.
Important Dates
Questions about what you read today? Contact communications@ywca.org.
#WeeklyWrap-up#NationalCommunications