2020 was a challenging year. The COVID-19 pandemic made the need to raise our voices and push for policy change more important than ever.
You joined us in advocating for critical support for people in our community. Congress responded with meaningful relief for children, families, and nonprofits. But in a new year and a new Congress, there is more work to be done.
United Way’s focus on advocacy priorities in the areas of health, education, financial stability, and community strengthening remains steadfast. In 2021 our federal advocacy work includes an intentional focus on policies that will help our community respond, recover, reimagine and rebuild systems in the wake of the health and economic crisis from COVID-19 and address gender and racial inequities. We’re joining with United Ways across Vermont and the country to push for policy change that supports families in Addison County.
We need our elected officials in Congress to prioritize things like:
- Protecting and maintaining affordable healthcare coverage, especially a robust Medicaid program, to keep people insured through the pandemic.
- Stabilizing and supporting the child care sector so that families have the support they need and young children have access to high-quality early childhood learning opportunities.
- Closing the digital divide for children and workers by increasing broadband access.
- Extending the eviction moratorium for the duration of the pandemic so that families remain housed.
- Expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit to keep millions of Americans from sliding into poverty.
We’re fighting for these priorities and much more. Join us this year. Email Senator Leahy, Senator Sanders, and Congressman Welch and ask them to take action and prioritize the issues listed above that are affecting the health, education, and financial stability of so many Vermonters.
