Page 20 - Samaritas Our Hands Spring Summer 2024

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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
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in Michigan to testify at the request of S State Senator Jeff Irwin this May
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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
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partnership with R Refugee Council USA (RCUSA) and its Advocacy Days. Productive
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conversations with our Michigan legislators - thank you, Representative R Rashida Tlaib,
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Senator D Debbie Stabenow, Senator GGary Peters of Michigan, Congresswoman DDebbie
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D Dingell, Congressman JJohn James, Congresswoman HHillary Scholten, and Congressman
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J Jack Bergman.
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This week also brought together fellow leaders of our national Health and Housing
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Coalition through our incredible partner, L Lutheran Services in America. It was
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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.
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T The Detroit Regional Chamber’s 2024 Mackinac

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P Policy Conference did not disappoint. It was yet

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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 S Senator Stabenow and SSenator Peters to MMayor
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B Bliss and MMayor Duggan and even a live interview
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with D Detroit PBS and the MMichigan League for Public
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P Policy, we were addressing each of these issues and
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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.
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