If you only travel to Salem once in 2010, come on February 12th!

On February 12th, people from across Oregon will travel to Salem for three important events to support our hardworking neighbors, families, and their children.   We will ask our legislators to “Have a Heart,” with Oregon Thrives; we will join faith leaders for an interfaith prayer vigil for homeless children and families; and we will attend a hearing on the Earned Income Tax Credit, a tool which helps low and moderate income families build assets.

First, we will join with Oregon Thrives and meet in Salem at the State Capitol to support our legislators in continuing to “Have A Heart.”  We will ask our Legislators to continue to work their hardest to find resources to meet the needs of vulnerable Oregonians in our midst.

We’ll convene at 8 am for check in and coffee.  We will begin promptly at 8:30 with a legislative briefing in the Public Services Building, 255 Capitol Street NE, Basement Room A.

After a legislative briefing, participants will move to the state capitol and deliver Valentine messages to their legislators.  Please join us for this special event! RSVP today. (Link to: Claudette@caporegon.org)  Download the invitation here.

Next up, we will participate in an Interfaith Briefing and Dialogue on Homeless Children and Families and Prayer Vigil.  This important event will bring faith leaders from across the state to help draw attention to the growing number of homeless families statewide and the increasing number of homeless children in our public schools.

The interfaith briefing and dialogue, sponsored by Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon and the Interfaith Project on Homeless Children and Families begins at 10:00 am.  Briefings and discussion will focus on education of homeless children and youth, and on programs that prevent and reduce homelessness.  We’ll meet across the street from the Capitol at the Public Service Building, 255 Capitol Street NE, Basement Room A.

At noon, join us as we move across the street to the capitol steps for a rally and prayer vigil in support of homeless children and families.  Find out more about the Briefing or Prayer Vigil by contacting Kevin Finney or Rev. Chuck Currie.

Last up, at 1:00 pm we will join an important legislative hearing on reducing taxes on low‐income working families by increasing the state Earned Income Tax Credit.  The Earned Income Tax Credit is an important tool which helps low and moderate income families build savings and assets.  Help us show the legislature that we care about our hardworking families and their children in Oregon.  This is a hearing of the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee on SB 1044 in Hearing Room A. Please join us! Questions, please contact us.

If you only come to Salem once in 2010, please come on February 12th.  Let’s thank our State Legislators for continuing to Have a Heart, and show them how important it is that everyone has a safe place to call home.

Posted in Advocacy, Events.