Page 20 - Samaritas Our Hands Spring/Summer2024

A c t i o n
i n

A d v o c a c y i n A c t i o n
A d v o c a c y

Our own Rachel Sykes was honored to lift up the voices of foster youth
in Michigan to testify at the request of State Senator Jeff Irwin this May
in Lansing to support legislation that will protect the hundreds of foster
kids in our care and statewide system.

Amazing week on the Hill in DC advocating for our refugee clients at Samaritas in
partnership with Refugee Council USA (RCUSA) and its Advocacy Days. Productive
conversations with our Michigan legislators - thank you, Representative Rashida Tlaib,
Senator Debbie Stabenow, Senator Gary Peters of Michigan, Congresswoman Debbie
Dingell, Congressman John James, Congresswoman Hillary Scholten, and Congressman
Jack Bergman.

This week also brought together fellow leaders of our national Health and Housing
Coalition through our incredible partner, Lutheran Services in America. It was
energizing to meet with leadership from HUD, CMS, and many others in DC, and to
work with friends and colleagues across the country as we advocate for and plan
innovative health and housing solutions.

The Detroit Regional Chamber’s 2024 Mackinac
Policy Conference did not disappoint. It was yet
another energizing, collaborative experience as we
were in attendance advocating for Samaritas, the
people in our care, and the industries and

communities in which we serve. It was all about
People First, Workforce Development and Housing.
From Senator Stabenow and Senator Peters to Mayor
Bliss and Mayor Duggan and even a live interview
with Detroit PBS and the Michigan League for Public
Policy, we were addressing each of these issues and
more. Building opportunity and infrastructure as an
inclusive community of neighbors to strengthen,
develop and grow. Bridging the Future Together –
a beautiful theme to the conference!

To join our mailing list, please sign up here:
Samaritas.org/Learn-More, or to lift up your voice as
part of our advocacy efforts, please reach out to Kelli
Dobner at Kelli.Dobner@samaritas.org.