Advocacy
Learn about the different ways you can be an advocate for Anchor House.
Yes, You Can Be An Advocate
With so much uncertainty in the world right now, you may be experiencing a sense of helplessness. What can one person do?
The answer is SO much!
When we were facing a federal funding freeze earlier this year that would have directly impacted our programming, many Anchor House supporters called and wrote their US Representatives and Senators to demand they stand up to this and urge Congress to publicly demand a reversal of this funding. We were glad that so many of you did this for us – thank you! This is a great example of how you can be an advocate for Anchor House.
There was so much backlash to the threat of a freeze nationwide. A motion was filed and granted on behalf of the National Council of Nonprofits and others resulting in a federal judge temporarily blocking the White House Office of Management and Budget’s freeze on federal agency grants and loans.
Yet the threat to our funding is now becoming a reality.
What Anchor House...and our Youth...are Facing
Anchor House programs are facing cuts as we receive federal funds that are trickled down through other sources. For instance, Anchor House is part of the Trenton/Mercer Continuum of Care (CoC) which is part of a nationwide program through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that provides services to households at risk of or experiencing homelessness and is essential to enhancing housing stability in our community. The Trenton/Mercer CoC receives funding that is trickled down through HUD; HUD has been in turmoil, causing Anchor House to fear these funds are at risk. Our Coordinated Entry and Assessment System (CEAS) and our two Rapid Rehousing Programs are funded with CoC dollars.
Besides direct cuts Anchor House is facing, our young people are facing ramifications from other cuts to services they rely on which will be devastating including most recently SNAP, as well as Medicaid, financial aid for schooling, child care subsidies and LIHEAP to help them cover their utilities.
What Can You Do to Advocate for Anchor House?
You can reach out to your lawmakers.
If you are unsure who represents you, visit https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member.
- Call your lawmakers’ offices in Washington, DC: The Capitol Hill switchboard is (202) 224-3121. A switchboard operator will connect you directly with the House or Senate office you request. If you live in New Jersey, your Senators are Andy Kim (202-224-4744) and Cory Booker (202-224-3224). Remember to provide your name and address so the staff know you are a constituent, take you seriously, and will send you a written response.
- You can also email your lawmakers. Lawmakers are more likely to pay attention to emails directly from their constituents that include personal details, rather than form emails. Create your own e-mail using the information provided below as a template which includes specific details on potential impact for Anchor House and our community, and email it directly to your Senators or Member of Congress’ offices.
What do I say when I reach out to my lawmakers?
Here are a few examples:
This is wording to use when calling/writing your lawmakers to protect our funding through HUD:
{FOR STATE LEGISLATORS:}
Please contact our federal delegation and urge them to secure and expand Continuum of Care funding . It is imperative that this program continues so that individuals and families across New Jersey don’t lose their homes and enter or return to homelessness.
{FOR FEDERAL LEGISLATORS:}
Please advocate for the full funding and expansion of the Continuum of Care program. It is imperative that this program continues so that individuals and families across New Jersey don’t lose their homes and enter or return to homelessness.
{LANGUAGE ABOUT ANCHOR HOUSE TO BE USED FOR BOTH STATE/FEDERAL LEGISLATORS}
Anchor House offers our Coordinated Entry Assessment System (CEAS) and two Rapid Rehousing Programs in partnership with our local Trenton/Mercer Continuum of Care. Anchor House’s CEAS team serves youth who are homeless, ages 18-24 and conducts community and street outreach and offers housing assessment, crisis intervention and case management, and referrals to social service agencies. Anchor House’s Rapid Rehousing Program serves young adults 18 to 24 years of age who are HUD eligible for supportive housing. The program provides rental assistance, case management, employment and educational assistance, life skills training and assistance with housing counseling and searches.
To illustrate what would have happened in 2024 without Anchor House’s CEAS and Rapid Rehousing Programs:
– 18 youth in our Rapid Rehousing Programs would be at risk of becoming homeless.
– Over 2,000 youth would not have been reached by our CEAS team and received services and housing placements.
– Over 300 youth would have risked sleeping on the streets without referrals to an emergency shelter.
– Youth and young adults would not have received the 4,000 food and drink items distributed, resulting in them being hungry and thirsty.
Educate others about Anchor House and the issues our youth are facing.
The more people that know about Anchor House, the more people will know how our programs impact our community.
You can do this by:
– Sharing our communications including our video, social media posts and e-blasts. If you do not like us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram, please do! Sign up for our e-blasts.
If you have not read our Impact Report or seen our new Impact page, we encourage you to read both now. This is the very work being threatened. To give you a few examples:
- 612 youth served and 168 youth stably housed last year. So many less will be served and may face homelessness if funds are cut.
- 10,915 food, drink and hygiene items were distributed to youth in our programs and living on the streets. What would they do without these items?
- It isn’t just about funds Anchor House directly receives. 89% of Anchorage residents are advancing their education. Many rely on financial aid and support to pursue their education which is on the cutting block. Forty expecting and parenting youth were connected to services that benefited both them and their children. Childcare benefits, Medicaid, are being threatened.
– Participate in events that raise awareness on issues affecting our youth
– Invite Anchor House to speak to groups you are involved with – your congregations, civic groups, your PTOs, wherever people come together!
Other Ways You Can Help Anchor House:
Volunteer – share your time and talent with our agency
Donate – with the loss of funding, your donations are needed now more than ever.