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AN INTRODUCTION TO FAITH-BASED ADVOCACY
Definition of advocacy?
Advocacy is speaking for those who have no voice and working on behalf of the greater good of communities and the state
Who are advocates?
Advocates are people who contact their legislators and government officials to work on behalf of others. Advocates promote positive legislation or defeat destructive legislation and ensure the proper implementation of legislative programs.
Advocates typically work on behalf of the elderly, the disabled, children, the working poor, the incarcerated, and others who may be under-represented in the legislative process.
Two necessary elements of advocacy are:
- an issue – meaning, you are advocating for or against a policy that affects real people (such as expanded access to prenatal care for low income women, or a living wage)
- an audience - you are advocating in front of someone such as the General Assembly, the Governor, the Secretary of Health and Human Services or even the public
Always remember that the most important aspect of advocacy is not just the issue, but the real people behind the issue. I do not advocate merely for justice, I advocate justice for those who live in poverty.
What advocacy is NOT
Advocacy is NEVER partisan. Advocacy is not aligned with a particular political party. An advocate’s work must remain focused on those for whom he or she advocates. Advocates work with legislators from every party to achieve their goals.
Advocacy is NOT charity. Charity is private, individual acts that respond to an immediate need such as a feeding program for the homeless or a clothes closet at a house of worship. Charity requires repeated actions and is directed at the symptoms of some injustice.
What advocacy IS
In contrast, advocacy involves more public, collective action that responds to a long term need. Advocacy promotes social change and resolves social injustice by attacking the systemic root of the injustice.
The author Henry David Throeau described advocacy using this example:
“1000 wacks at the branch is not equal to one at the roots.”
People of faith are called to participate in BOTH charity and advocacy.
There are many practical ways in which advocacy of this kind may be done:
- Contacting elected and appointed officials regarding important issues
- Working with others in your community to foster an environment of change
- Educating your friends and family
Advocacy can enable people and communities to develop political competence as they address vital issues.
Advocacy holds government agencies accountable for policies that harm people and the environment. Advocacy also creates public awareness of issues related to the quality of human life.
An Advocacy Story
BABIES IN THE RIVER
An urban legend says:
Once upon a time there was a small village on the edge of a river. The people there were good and the life in the village was good. One day a villager noticed a baby floating down the river.
The villager quickly jumped into the river and swam out to save the baby from drowning.
The next day this same villager was walking along the river bank and noticed two babies in the river. He called for help, and both babies were rescued from the swift waters. The following day four babies were seen floating in the river and rescued. Then eight babies were rescued, then more, and still more.
The villagers organized themselves quickly, setting up watch towers and training teams of swimmers who could resist the swift waters and rescue babies. Rescue squads were soon working 24 hours a day. Each day the number of helpless babies floating down the river increased.
The villagers organized themselves efficiently. The rescue squads were now snatching many children each day. Groups were trained to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Others prepared formula and provided clothing for the chilled babies. Many were involved in making clothes and knitting blankets. Still others provided foster homes and placement.
While the babies that were rescued from the river, now very numerous, could not all be saved, the villagers felt they were doing well to save as many as they could each day. Indeed, the village elders blessed them in their good work. Life in the village continued on that basis.
One day, however, someone raised the question, “But where are all these babies coming from? Who is throwing them into the river? Why? Let’s organize a team to go upstream and see who’s doing it.” The elders countered with: “And if we go upstream who will operate the rescue operations? We need every concerned person here.”
“But don’t you see,” cried the one lone voice, “if we find out who is responsible for throwing them in, we can stop the problem and no babies will drown. By going upstream we can eliminate the cause of the problem.” “It is too risky.”
And so the numbers of babies in the river increased daily. Those saved increased, but those who drowned increased even more.
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Center Priorities (.pdf)
Bulletin Inserts
Child Support (.pdf)
Environment (.pdf)
Housing Trust (.pdf)
Indigent Defense (.pdf)
Payday Lending (.pdf)
Minimum Wage (.pdf)
Advocacy Resources
Advocacy Guide (.doc)
Advocacy Portal (link)
Lending Info. (.ppt)
Richmond Map (.pdf)
For Small Groups
Eco-Stewardship (link)
Prayers for Creation (link)
Poverty Diet (link)
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Policy Briefs
EITC (.doc)
TANF Child Support (.doc)
Payday Loans (.doc)
Healing Creation (.doc)
Child Ombudsman (.doc)
Affordable Housing (.doc)
Indigent Defense (.doc)
Minimum Wage (.doc)
Wage & EITC (.doc)
VA Tribes (.link)
Actions
Lending Petition (link)
Title Petition (link)
Wage Petition (link)
Reports
Budget Analysis (.pdf)
Food Stamps (.doc)
Lottery Study (link)
FAQ's (link)
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