Virginia Interfaith Center Releases New Report on the Impact of the Proposed Federal Budget on Virginians
Report Details Grim Portrait for Struggling Virginians
April 10, 2012
Richmond, VA – Today the Virginia Interfaith Center, in partnership with the Coalition on Human Needs, released a report on the impact of the proposed federal budget on Virginia’s children and families. Automatic cuts proposed by the Budget Control Act last summer would be harmful, but the additional cuts in the House passed budget will amplify the negative effect on Virginia’s most vulnerable families and children.
“Making the necessary investments to ensure that all Virginians have the resources they need to thrive and contribute to the state’s economy requires thoughtful choices about our long-term fiscal health,” Deborah Weinstein, Executive Director of the Coalition on Human Needs. “Unfortunately, many of the options before Congress threaten serious cuts in vital human needs programs that would undermine both our fragile recovery and our future growth.”
If automatic cuts mandated by the Budget Control Act go into effect, the Commonwealth’s future prosperity will be damaged because young children and students won’t get the education they need. In 2013 alone, Virginia will receive $9 million less for Head Start, $3.4 million less for early care and education, $18.5 million less for K-12 education, $22 million less for special education and $5.2 million less for vocational rehabilitation. Virginia will also face significant cuts in the programs that help families survive during hard times, including $2.7 million less for the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program, $1.2 million less for the Community Development Block Grant program, and $2.4 million less for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
“Although the automatic cuts will be damaging enough, if the House leadership’s budget proposal goes into effect, the harm will be much worse,” said Marco Grimaldo, President and CEO of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy.
Grimaldo also said that starting in 2014, the cuts to all the programs mentioned above, and many others that support human needs, will be significantly deeper. In addition, programs that are exempt from the automatic cuts under the Budget Control Act would also be reduced. For example, if the House leadership proposal for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) goes into effect, Virginia would see a $2.3 billion reduction in the benefit over the next decade leaving potentially 905,000 state residents with diminished resources for food and less to spend in our communities.
“We need to make the right choices this year, to protect our children and our future,” said Grimaldo. “Both the cuts stipulated in the Budget Control Act and the House leadership proposals decimate so many programs that the consequences to Virginia’s health, education and well-being would be immediate and far-reaching. Our economy is struggling, and Virginian families are suffering – lawmakers in the Commonwealth and our state’s members of Congress must take immediate action to address this critical issue.”
Access the full report here.
Virginia Interfaith Center Names Marco A. Grimaldo CEO and President
January 30, 2012
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.
Virginia Interfaith Center Responds to Governor McDonnell’s Budget
December 19, 2011
Richmond, VA –Today the Virginia Interfaith Center responded to the Governor’s release of his biennial budget for FY2012-2014 by calling on the legislators of Virginia to pass a final budget which adopts a balanced approach that includes both targeted spending cuts and revenue increases in order to address the growing number of struggling Virginia families.
The Governor’s budget proposal released this morning includes new funding for a number of worthwhile initiatives, but also cuts $779 million from public education and Medicaid rather than increasing revenues to balance the budget. The Commonwealth faces a budget deficit of approximately $1 billion over the next two years, and the Virginia Interfaith Center is advocating that sacrifice be shared amongst Virginians and new revenues be captured through the closure of tax loopholes rather than balancing the budget through cuts to programs that serve Virginia's most vulnerable families.
“Budgets are not just numbers; they are a reflection of a society's priorities” said Rev. Shannon Sherwood Johnston, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. “As more and more families struggle to find work and make ends meet, it is critical for their representatives to pass a budget that can address the increasing need for public services that keep those families afloat during tough times. I urge the Governor and the General Assembly to advance policies that give every Virginian a shot at a better life and make this Commonwealth a place where no one gets left behind."
One such policy is the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which Governor McDonnell fully funded in the budget proposal released this morning. Now legislators must work to protect the families in need by ensuring programs such as the EITC, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS) are fully funded.
“The economic realities our Commonwealth now faces are in many respects, quite dire,” said Holly Coy, Director of Programs for the Virginia Interfaith Center. “But make no mistake about it, our leaders can solve many of the daunting challenges they face, the only question is whether or not they are willing to put politics aside and work together for the best interest of the families they serve.”
The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy is Virginia’s oldest faith-based advocacy group and works to unite faith communities throughout the state to reduce poverty rates in Virginia by advocating for proven and effective public policies.
Virginia Interfaith Center to Connect Local Vulnerable Families with Financial Resources
December 2, 2011
Richmond, VA - The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy will host a community event this Sunday, December 4, to connect local Richmond residents to organizations that can help them manage their finances in the face of mounting economic challenges. The first ever Finding Freedom program will include representatives from various nonprofit, corporate and governmental agencies that provide direct services to individuals and families struggling financially. The resource fair will also include brief remarks from Congressman Bobby Scott of Virginia's 3rd District and Dana Wiggins, Program Coordinator of the Virginia Partnership to Encourage Responsible Lending.
“Too many Virginia families are struggling to make ends meet in this economy. One key ingredient to advancing economic opportunity is increasing access to the tools people need to build better lives for themselves,” said Holly Coy, Director of Programs for the Virginia Interfaith Center. “That's why the Virginia Interfaith Center is hosting this innovative program to arm local residents with community resources and tools that can help them manage their finances and provide for their families wisely.”
The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy is Virginia’s oldest faith-based advocacy group and is a nonpartisan coalition of faith communities working to unite faith communities throughout the state to reduce poverty rates in Virginia by advocating for proven and effective public policies and programs.
Local Pulaski Youth Win YouTube Competition
November 30, 2011
Richmond, VA – Today the Virginia Interfaith Center announced the winners for its first ever YouTube competition for youth as part of its Campaign for Healthy Youth in the New River Valley. The Healthy Living Rap, submitted by 7 students from the Pulaski County High School TV and Video Production Department took first place for clearly explaining the importance of healthy lifestyle choices through an engaging rap video the judges called “contagious.”
"Through this competition and these fantastic videos, the local youth demonstrated extraordinary creativity and dedication to making their communities healthier,” said Holly Coy, Director of Programs for the Virginia Interfaith Center. “Through this unique medium, these young people are an integral part of the educational aspect of the Campaign for Healthy Youth in the New River Valley.”
The judges included Virginia Tech professors Yvonnes Chen, Assistant Professor of Communications; Jane Machin, Assistant Professor of Marketing; Lauren Prociv, Masters student, Marketing; Elena Serrano, Associate Professor, HNFE; and Emily Stanton, Marketing Program Support Technician.
The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy is working toward a healthier New River Valley community by addressing the issue of childhood obesity through education and awareness efforts. In addition, the Center works to further these efforts by addressing childhood health policies in Richmond. The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy is Virginia’s oldest faith-based advocacy group and is a nonpartisan coalition of faith communities working to create progressive public policy by engaging people of faith, educating the public about social issues, the legislative process, and the call to advocacy.
Virginia Leaders are Accountable for Reducing Poverty
October 26, 2011
Richmond, VA – Today the Virginia Interfaith Center responded to a report released by the Half in Ten Campaign that will be used as the baseline for measuring how poverty is reduced throughout America over the next 10 years. The Center called on Virginia voters to hold elected officials accountable for their actions or inaction on addressing systemic poverty in the coming election.
“Protecting vulnerable children and families through proven and effective policies is a moral imperative” said Holly Coy, Director of Programs for the Virginia Interfaith Center. “Through the power of their vote, citizens of our Commonwealth need to hold elected officials accountable for their failure to address increasing poverty and reinforce those who respond compassionately to the struggles of Virginia families.”
The data released today focuses on 4 broad categories of poverty reduction: Overall Poverty in the United States; More Good Jobs; Strengthening Families and Communities; and Family Economic Security. The Half in Ten Campaign has set a goal to reduce the poverty rate by 50% by 2021. It is a joint project of the Center for American Progress Action Fund, the Coalition on Human Needs and the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.
The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy is Virginia’s oldest faith-based advocacy group and works to unite faith communities throughout the state to reduce poverty rates in Virginia by advocating for proven and effective public policies.
While Politicians Bicker, Virginia Families Fall Behind
September 23, 2011
Richmond, VA – Today the Virginia Interfaith Center responded to new data released by the Census Bureau yesterday which estimates that poverty increased by 16% in Virginia since 2007, by calling upon Virginia’s elected officials to prioritize the needs of working families through state and federal programs proven to keep millions of Virginians from experiencing life in poverty.
“While politicians in Washington and Richmond bicker, Virginia families continue to fall behind,” said Holly Coy, Director of Programs for the Virginia Interfaith Center. “It is a moral imperative for Virginia’s elected officials to protect investments in programs like Medicaid, Medicare and unemployment insurance that keep working families and their children out of poverty and empower them to build better lives for themselves.”
Yesterday’s estimates from the American Community Survey follow a report on national trends released last week by the Census Bureau, which states that more Americans lived in poverty in 2010 than any other year on record, including one out of nine Virginians. In addition, the new data reveals that 14% of Virginia's children are living in poverty, the highest rate since 1998.
“These numbers make me wonder how many children in Virginia are hungry today?” said Rev. James F. Mauney, Bishop of the Virginia Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. “More than one out of every five children in this country now lives in poverty."
"These statistics are about immediate needs. They are more than facts; they are faces of children today in the midst of our common wealth. It seems to me that caring for their immediate needs in their developmental years is a wise investment for our future. I join with many others in our prayers for our representatives to be led to find a way to move quickly and compassionately. I give thanks to God for every act of kindness for the most vulnerable among us. Providing the basic needs for all should be the work of government and all of us.”
The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy is Virginia’s oldest faith-based advocacy group and works to unite faith communities throughout the state to reduce poverty rates in Virginia by advocating for proven and effective public policies.
CEO to Leave Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy
September 8, 2011
Richmond, VA. (September 8, 2011) – The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy announced today that CEO & President Rev. C. Douglas Smith is leaving to join the staff of the Montpelier Foundation as its Director for the Center for the Constitution.
Citing the immediate launch of a national search for Smith’s replacement, Virginia Interfaith Center Board Chair, Jim Burke, noted, “While no organization likes to go through a leadership search, we are confident that the Interfaith Center’s reputation for excellent policy development and mobilization in the faith community will draw tremendous interest from all parts of the country. Our goal is to have a new CEO in place before the next General Assembly but the Board will take its time to find the best person to lead us into our 30th Anniversary year in 2012. We are disappointed to lose Doug Smith but we know that he goes with God’s graces.”
Smith made the announcement this week to the Virginia Interfaith Center’s supporters citing the mixed emotions of leaving with so much at stake in the next legislative session. “The next Virginia General Assembly will be making key decisions related to health care, social safety nets, and how to handle Virginia’s job situation. Interfaith Center members are tenacious advocates for the poor and I know they will continue to support those on the economic margins.”
He is succeeded by Interim CEO, Rev. Charles Swadley, a former Chair of the Virginia Interfaith Center Board, until a new CEO is named before the next Virginia General Assembly. Swadley is an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church who has an established background in organizational development and faith-based leadership.
“After the last eight years of incredible growth and excellent policy work the Virginia Interfaith Center is looking forward to continuing to advocate for vulnerable communities,” said Burke. “Charles Swadley will be an excellent interim and will ensure the work of the Center continues its course.”