Families First Coronavirus Response Act 

It is urgent that Congress takes at least initial action NOW to protect people as the coronavirus pandemic takes hold. Speaker Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Mnuchin are working on a bill. We need: immediate paid sick leave, unemployment insurance, nutrition aid, more Medicaid funds for states, free testing and treatment, and protections for health care and other workers. The Senate must hear the loud voice of constituents saying WE NEED THESE PROTECTIONS NOW. If we’re silent, more dangerous delay. This is a first step. We need to make sure it puts the needs of low-income and vulnerable people first. Two easy options to call:   There are two phone numbers you can use to reach your senators. They each have suggested messages you can use. 

Text COVID19 to 747464 or call 1-844-633-2048                       
Click here to connect directly to your senators' offices.  

“Hello, my name is ______ and I am from [city/town]. This is urgent: Please tell Senator _____ to vote for the House coronavirus bill NOW – it protects people most in need and so protects all of us. Immediate paid sick leave, unemployment insurance, nutrition aid, more Medicaid funds for states, free testing and treatment, and protections for health care and other workers are essential. The House bill is a necessary start – you must do more,  but please vote for this now.  This is a true national emergency. Congress must do a lot more than this bill, but this must pass now. If there ever was a time for you  to speak up, it’s now. “   *The House bill, H.R. 6201, Families First Coronavirus Response Act, is itself a first step. Here’s a summary. 



The time is NOW!  
Call your Senators today!

 Action for Dreamers and DACA Recipients 

This week has been designated “HOME IS HERE Digital Week of Action”, a time when we can stand in solidarity with, and amplify the voices of DACA recipients and their communities.  See below for resources that have been developed for the week. In light of changing circumstances (the coronavirus) some resources will not be available until next week. Just wanted you to be aware of advocacy measures you can use to join with others during his week of DIGITAL ACTION for Dreamers and DACA Recipients.

PLEASE commit to doing one thing each day to support those whose lives are literally hanging on the decision of the Supreme Court.  As you know, in the coming months the Supreme Court will make a decision on #DACA. An unfavorable decision could result in the end of the DACA program and could signal deportation for roughly 700,000 people who know no other country as home. #HomeIsHere                                                                                              
Home Is Here Digital Action Week Schedule (Calendar link here.)

Making the 2020 Census Count 

LCWR has joined the National Partnership Program of the U.S. Census Bureau to help spread the word about the critical importance of ensuring that the 2020 Census counts every person living in this country. You  might be able to use the resources below to help those with whom you minister dispel some of the fear and empower all those living in our communities to be counted. The Census will determine the distribution of billions of dollars in federal funding that is essential to the well-being of our hospitals, community health centers, housing, food assistance, fire departments, and other vital services. Some of the barriers to getting an accurate count include: political polarization, anti-immigrant sentiment, and COVID-19.          
 
Let’s make sure everyone is counted!
Help spread the message that the 2020 Census is safe, easy, and important. Getting the word out will make a difference in achieving a complete and accurate count. The Census counts every person living in the US as of April 1—no matter where they are from, why they are here, and whether they are documented. When people complete their census form, they should count everyone living in their home as of this date.

Responding to the 2020 Census is Easy!
Encourage colleagues, co-workers, and those you serve to respond when they receive the invitation. Respondents can respond at 2020census.gov or call one of the toll free numbers. The Census Bureau will send a paper questionnaire to those who have not responded during the week of April 8th.  Respondents can also go online or call one of the toll free numbers to complete the questionnaire.

The 2020 Census Matters: 
The 2020 Census will determine how many representatives your state will have in Congress. Census results will also help determine how billions of dollars in federal funding are allocated to states and communities each year. These resources are essential to the well-being of all of our people, especially the most vulnerable.  

The 2020 Census is Safe:
By law, all census responses are strictly confidential and may only be used to produce statistics. Title 13 of the U.S. Code, the Census Act, expressly prohibits the Census Bureau from sharing any individual’s response with any other government agency, including immigration agencies, law enforcement or the judiciary. Every Census Bureau employee takes a lifetime oath to keep census responses confidential.

 Promote the 2020 Census: 

• Use your voice to encourage everyone, particularly hard-to-count and hard-to-reach communities, to fill out the 2020 Census. Promote the Census in your networks, including parishes, ministry meetings, and youth and seniors groups.

• Be active during the Faith Communities Census Weekend of Action. The Faith Communities Census Weekend of Action will be held March 27-29, 2020, around the time when people will be receiving 2020 Census notices in the mail. This is just before Census Day—April 1. This Weekend of Action is a coordinated opportunity for faith leaders to focus their outreach and support of the Census to encourage your community to respond. Here are a few resources that might be helpful: 

• Faith Communities Flyer

• Faith Communities 2020 Census Action Guide

• 2020 Census: Faith Leaders Spread the Word video

• Faith Communities Q&A

• Share outreach materials. Post flyers on bulletin boards and share on social media. One guide is the Community Benefits of the 2020 Census, a Toolkit. Visit 2020census.gov/partners to find many resources in English and additional languages, such as flyers, fact sheets, videos, and social media tools.

Christ beside me, before me, behind me 
below me, within me….                                                Christ on my left,  on my right…                                    Christ in my sleeping, in my sitting…
Christ in all hearts thinking about me,                           Christ on all tongues telling of me,                                Christ the vision in eyes that see me,                            In ears that hear me, Christ ever be!