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Learn Pray Blog is the official blog of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy. Our goal is to create a space where Virginians can promote the faith voice on issues such as poverty & the working poor, at-risk children & youth, Caring for God’s Creation and others.

Virginia Interfaith Center Names Marco A. Grimaldo CEO and President

Posted by: SuperUser Account on 1/30/2012 | 0 Comments
Richmond, VA – Today the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy announced Marco A. Grimaldo as their new CEO and President. Grimaldo most recently served as a Regional Organizer for Bread for the World and previously served as the Director of the Bread for the World Institute and as the National Organizer for the Alliance to End Hunger.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the Virginia Interfaith Center,” Grimaldo said. “The Center and its members have a reputation for being tenacious advocates for those on the margins of their communities. I look forward to working with advocates throughout the state to make Virginia a more just and compassionate Commonwealth.”

Grimaldo has more than 20 years of experience in politics and non-profit advocacy, including work on national campaigns related to international development assistance, HIV/AIDS and debt relief, and a range of domestic hunger and poverty concerns. His educational background includes an undergraduate degree in political science from Southwest Texas State University and a graduate degree in public policy from Georgetown University.

“Marco’s vast experience in politics and advocacy will continue to strengthen the work of the Virginia Interfaith Center as we move into our 30th year of service,” said Jim Burke, Chairman of the Board of Directors.
 
The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy is Virginia’s oldest faith-based advocacy group and works to unite faith communities to reduce poverty rates in Virginia by advocating for proven and effective public policies.

A Step in the Right Direction

Posted by: SuperUser Account on 1/29/2012 | 0 Comments
One of the most overwhelming perceptions about politics these days is that individual citizens cannot play a significant role in a political process dominated by partisanship and special interests.

Today I am thrilled to remind you why that is not always the case.

Thanks to you and advocates like you, representatives in the General Assembly are moving a few pieces of legislation forward that would make Virginia a better, safer and more prosperous place for some of our vulnerable brothers and sisters.

Last week Democrats and Republicans came together to advance policies that would better protect and provide for the most vulnerable in our communities. After initial controversy and a split vote, one Senate committee decided to equip teachers, counselors and school administrators with resources about the risks and warning signs of human trafficking. For the more than 300,000 youth at risk of human trafficking in our country, this is a small, but significant step in the right direction.

Additionally, another Committee moved legislation forward that would expand TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) benefits for some prisoners transitioning back to their communities. They advance legislation that would expand prenatal health care for low-income legal immigrants in the US. Both are policies that would benefit our entire community and eventually save the Commonwealth and its taxpayers money. Sadly, these compassionate and commonsense policies are not always a given in our political environment. Progress often only comes through education and advocacy by engaged citizens.

But these bills - and the dozens of others that would serve those on the margins of our communities- have many challenges ahead before they could go into effect. For that reason, our efforts must continue with enthusiasm and tenacity over the coming weeks. As the psalmist reminds us all, "Be strong, and take heart." Thank you for the outstanding work you do to advance our mission as people of faith -- our efforts are paying off but we've got a long way to go.

Voting Rights Are Worth Defending

Posted by: SuperUser Account on 1/21/2012 | 1 Comment
On Tuesday over 300 of you took the time to travel to Richmond and participate in the democratic process by voicing your concerns to your elected Delegates and Senators! At a time when Washington is gridlocked and the political discourse seems more vitriolic than ever before, your actions on Tuesday demonstrated a profound belief in the power of an educated and engaged citizenry.

But as the week progressed, we saw the very same democratic values come under attack as some legislators moved to make voting more difficult for ordinary Virginians. Voting is a constitutionally protected right, and is at the very core of what it means to be an American.  It is with our vote that we express our opinion about the types of leaders we want representing us and it is with that same vote that we are able to hold them accountable for their actions and the policies they put in place.

While it is important to be vigilant about protecting the integrity of the voting process, our government must not make it more difficult for qualified voters to participate in our democracy. But some politicians are now using the threat of voter fraud to construct barriers in accessing that process. However, a study by the Brennan Center for Justice found that voter fraud is extremely rare, and efforts to make voting more difficult disproportionately affect minorities, the young, the elderly and the poorest in our communities.

Rather than spending time and energy addressing a nonexistent problem, our legislators should be working to make the political process as accessible as possible and respond to the needs of their communities.  At the time it was founded, American democracy was revolutionary because it was built upon values of representation and participation. Today it is far more representative of the Americans it was designed to serve, but we must continue to work to protect the ability of ordinary citizens to participate.

2012 Legislative Update: Virginia to Keep the Ban on Uranium Mining Until 2013

Posted by: SuperUser Account on 1/21/2012 | 0 Comments
Dear Advocates,

This week, Virginians across the Commonwealth celebrate! Our state-wide grassroots organizing has successfully showed the widespread citizen support to keep the ban on uranium mining.

There are no bills to lift the ban on uranium mining in the Virginia General Assembly during this legislative session.

However, we still have a fight ahead.

Governor McDonnell announced his directive to create a working group, made up of technical staff from three state agencies, to draft the regulatory framework to mine uranium in Virginia.

Putting the state's staff, time, and financial resources towards regulations will be technical and challenging. It remains unclear where the resources will come from and all parties acknowledge the serious risks involved in uranium mining.  This decision does not change the novel dangers uranium poses to public health and water, which were acknowledged in the National Academy of Sciences study.

Let's keep up the momentum this year!  Faith communities across the Commonwealth contributed to over 10,000 signatures and 100 businesses and local governments who publicly stood together to keep the ban on uranium mining in Virginia.  This year we must continue to raise our voices about the risks uranium mining poses to our health and drinking water.

Look forward to more legislative updates during the 2012 General Assembly! We are tracking the top energy efficiency and renewable energy bills this year and will keep you posted on progress.

Faithfully yours,

Trieste Lockwood

Director, Virginia Interfaith Power & Light

Off to the Races!

Posted by: SuperUser Account on 1/16/2012 | 0 Comments
The General Assembly reconvened last Wednesday, and we are all now hard at work!

A preliminary report on bills the Center will be working on in 2012 is now available online. As bills begin moving through committees you can expect to receive email action alerts from us!
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