SCAN advocates with Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi
This year, my new year’s resolution is to be the best version of myself. Over time, I’ve learned that I’m my best self when I am using my voice for others.
I believe there is nothing better than advocating for those who can’t do so for themselves – like kids! In my time as the Digital Campaign Manager for Save the Children Action Network (SCAN), it’s become clear to me that we need to make sure our elected officials, both new and old, remember our youngest, most vulnerable neighbors. And that it’s on us to make sure they do.
If you’re like me and have decided that 2019 is the year you dust off your vocal cords and give advocacy a shot, here are my top two suggestions.
1. Find practical, easy ways to start making a difference. Though I’d love to give six hours a day to calling lawmakers and advocating for kids, the reality is, that doesn’t fit in my schedule. Luckily, sending a message to lawmakers via SCAN’s email action alerts takes less than 1 minute!
Trust me, those messages make a difference. Flooding an elected official’s mailbox with requests on a particular issue brings the matter to the forefront and helps them remember who you are! For example, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois recently met with SCAN advocates and recognized who they were because of the many times they have advocated for children.
2. Another thing you can do in 2019 to make a difference for kids? Share! One person sending a message to a lawmaker is amazing. But can you imagine if everyone reached out to five other people and asked them to do the same? The impact would be extraordinary!
I know that for every email I send to my lawmakers, I make sure to share the same link with my closest circle, including my parents, my sister, my friends and my roommate.
Progress can be slow and using your voice can seem scary, but we know it works. In 2018, advocates like you sent hundreds of thousands of messages to lawmakers. Together, we helped elect three governors who took strong stances on child-focused issues like expanding early education and home visiting and we raised the issue with dozens of candidates for office. In fact, the issue of early learning was a key theme for many candidates – Democrats and Republicans alike!