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Why you should attend Advocacy Day!

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Guest Blogger: Penny Lipsou, Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence Policy & Economic Justice Intern

Last year, on January 28, when I attended my very first advocacy day, I was excited, energized, and inspired! As an intern for Seattle-based community development organization InterIm CDA, I had the privilege of joining an organized group of folks headed to the state capitol to lobby for legislative issues. Our group of elders, youth, and InterIm staff piled into two 12-passenger vans at 7am for the trek down to Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day, organized by the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance.

Upon arriving in Olympia, we were greeted with breakfast, a symbolic red scarf, and a bold red folder full of information about key housing issues.

I was impressed by the diversity of advocates there for the day. I met youth who were currently experiencing homelessness, environmental architects, domestic violence shelter program managers, and others. I felt the electric power of solidarity pulse through over 600 people, from different communities all over Washington State, motivated by the belief that all Washington residents should have the opportunity to a safe, healthy, affordable home.

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InterIm CDA intern Penny Lipsou (l) & WILD Program Manager Jamie Stroble (r) at Housing & Homelessness Advocacy Day 2014.

 

Being more of a shy person, I felt a little nervous at the thought of discussing policy issues with a state legislator. Thankfully, I participated in an Advocacy 101 workshop. A supportive team of seasoned housing advocates coached us with helpful advice, political insight, and their own personal stories.

I felt ready to advocate when I later I joined a group of fellow legislative district residents. Then we were off to talk with lawmakers about barriers to a home and the state’s affordable housing shortage. The advocacy process became much less intimidating thanks to the workshops, structure, and overall spirit of Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day.

After meeting with several legislative representatives, I gained a new perspective on the dynamics of the political system and how to engage with lawmakers. By the end of the day, I was confidently raising my hand to let legislators know exactly how I felt about certain housing issues and why it’s important for them to do something about it.

Advocacy Day left me with a better sense of who in electorate leadership was truly supportive of affordable housing and ending homelessness. It also gave me ideas of what to say to those who weren’t so supportive! This in and of itself has been helpful in my subsequent advocacy work. Regardless of how legislators received our messages, it was important that we shared our stories and gave our hearts in an effort to push progressive policy forward. Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day was so pivotal to me, because it connected me with a bigger movement and inspired me to pursue social welfare policy as a career.

Given Seattle’s current cultural shift in the landscape of the housing market, I am looking forward to speaking with my elected officials on key issues at this year’s Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day on February 17.

If you haven't already, please register for Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day here.

And if you need more details about the day, check out the Advocacy Day page here.

I hope to see you there!

 


 

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