Raise your voice

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to participate in an all-day training by Maine Equal Justice Partners on how to be a better advocate. I attended with a group from HopeGateWay (my church) and Hope Acts (a nonprofit whose board I chair) that included several asylum seekers from central Africa who are, among other things, concerned about the impact of the Governor's proposed cuts to General Assistance in the state budget.

General Assistance provides a lifeline to asylum seekers who, despite what Gov. LePage would have you believe, are here legally under the current U.S. law. They come to the U.S. to escape unimaginable violence, persecution and, too often, almost certain death or incarceration in their home countries. Given the way the asylum process works, it takes a minimum of 150 days for an asylum seeker to get a work permit--something most of them desperately want--and the clock doesn't start until they have filed their asylum application (a process that itself can take months because of its complexity). In the meantime, staying in the already overcrowded Portland shelters can retraumatize people who have experienced significant trauma, so GA provides the basics--food and shelter--until people are legally permitted to work.

There were about 50 people in attendance at the training, from all walks of life. What was heartening to me was that most of the attendees were not just allies of the disenfranchised, which I guess is what I would consider myself, but people who will be deeply, directly impacted by the proposed budget and the Governor's incessant attacks on welfare and those who rely on it. Hearing their stories was, in itself, worth the trip to Augusta on a blustery Friday. The fact that they were there indicated, to me, that they had hope--that they felt like their stories mattered and could make a difference.

Several state legislators and senators spoke to our group. The message they all shared: your voices matter. We want to hear from you--we want to know how you and your family will be affected. Your stories give us energy and purpose. They urged all participants to connect with their legislators and talk about the issues that matter. Some general advice they gave:

• Speak from the heart. 
• Tell your representative why you care about the issue and how it will impact you (or people you care about).
• Give examples--numbers, stories about what you have experienced or what you fear if a bill passes (or doesn't pass). These are the stories legislators will share with their colleagues in committee meetings and work sessions, or on the House floor.
• Don't give up. The legislature is, well, political...things won't always go the way you hope. Compromises happen that you may not like. Keep fighting.

It was an energetic session filled with great tools and lessons (I have handouts I'm happy to share if anyone is interested). But what was most special, for me, was riding home with a man from Burundi who had attended the training with our group. He fled his home country because speaking out put him in danger. He told me he felt excited and empowered to know that, here in Maine, the leaders of our state (well, maybe not the Governor) want to hear what he has to say. That it is his right, even as a non-citizen, to speak up and tell his story---that his voice makes a difference. It reminded me how important it is for us all to find our voices--and to help our clients find theirs and advocate for themselves, with our support.

If you are not familiar with Maine Equal Justice Partners, they are an incredible resource. I definitely recommend reaching out to them if you need help, whether it's for a client, organization or a cause that's personally important to you. And I strongly urge everyone to learn about the specifics of the Governor's proposed budget and speak to your representatives in Augusta about areas that concern you.