Resources
Advocacy includes more than you may think. Nonprofit organizations can play a critical role in shaping public opinion and advancing public policies. These organizations offer the perspective of truly understanding the needs of their constituencies who often have limited – or even no – voice in the decision-making process. Our legislators and those in regulatory agencies may even look to them for guidance.
A number of TPC’s grantees are already doing advocacy-related work. Examples from two of our grantees which will be showcased in our April 30 Philanthropy Dialogue illustrate this. Project Citizenship offers free, high-quality legal services to permanent residents helping them become US citizens; Mabel Center for Immigrant Justice provides pro bono emergency asylum filings, housing, and job training to women and children fleeing violence and torture and who may have been detained or separated from family. Both of these extraordinary organizations advocate for policies that support immigrant populations. They educate their communities about public policy through their newsletters, letters to the editor, and by partnering with law firms, community organizations, the Department of Justice, immigration services, the Mayor’s and Governor’s offices, and more.
Their impact can be huge even when the effort may seem simple. They may recommend that the state adjust the immigration form requirements, allowing for less specific documentation, because some of it may not be available, or providing more space on the form to make it easier to fill out. This recommendation can result in many more immigrants having the ability to become citizens. Other advocacy efforts address more obvious issues facing immigrant populations – increasing emergency and permanent housing as well as job training options.
What can TPC members do? As members of TPC, we can learn more, advocate for changes, and inform friends, family, and our state and federal officials about the needs and obstacles people seeking citizenship and asylum confront in attempting to build their lives. By asking your elected officials their positions on these matters, you can alert them that you, their constituent, are concerned and aware. You can also write letters to the editors and share your position on social media, highlighting your commitment to immigration justice. There are many options for learning more and advocating to make a difference.
Have you signed up for our Dialogue event on April 30? Register to learn more from these organization