Advocate

AdvocateThroughout our history, United Way has done extraordinary work to improve people’s lives and build strong communities. With our focus on community impact, United Way has a key role to play in advocating for good public policy. Without community input, our priorities in Education, Income and Health will lose critical government policy and funding support.

Join us and advocate for an Education, Income, Health or nonprofit strengthening issue that you are passionate about. Your community needs you to have an impact on public policy decisions. Advocating in your community does not simply mean lobbying on a specific piece of legislation.

United Way's of California Regional Advocacy Coordinators work on behalf of local United Way's. As a member of United Way Worldwide, their policy staff ensures that our voices and opinions will be heard on important national issues. Visit their online advocacy page to see our legistlative priorities.

There are many ways that you can advocate. See below for ways you can create social change in your local community.

Speak Out

Contact your representative in Congress about an Education, Income, Health or nonprofit strengthening issue.

Senator John Laird
Congressman Salud Carbajal
Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham

Be informed

Learn how your community ranks in academic attainment, income stability and health. Use the United Way Common Good Forecaster, a powerful online tool that lets people see for themselves how improving the education level has a positive impact on several key economic and social measures.

Engage with your community

Host a community conversation with your friends, coworkers or neighbors. Learn about what people say are their aspirations for your community and talk about how you can work together to address challenges.

Raise Awareness About a Cause

Use social media tools to educate your friends and networks about an issue you care about. Sample social media posts:

EDUCATION

Every dollar to early childhood programs saves 7 in adulthood. @UWSLOC #LIVEUNITED

INCOME

Children are the poorest age group w/ 15.5M children living in poverty. @UWSLOC #LIVEUNITED

HEALTH

Uninsured children in fair or poor health are 5X more likely not to have a regular provider of care. @UWSLOC #LIVEUNITED