Use Facebook and Twitter to Protect Millions of Low-Income Children and Families


February 13, 2012
by Meredith Dodson, Director of U.S. Poverty Campaigns

RESULTS volunteers across the country, along with the Coalition on Human Needs and other members of the SAVE for All campaign, are calling Congress on Tuesday, November 14, at (888) 245-3381 to deliver this message: “Please fully renew unemployment insurance without denying the Child Tax Credit to millions of working poor families — no cuts, no barriers to benefits!  Do not go home for the recess without continuing federal unemployment insurance while protecting tax credits for low-income working families.” Congress is in the midst of negotiating a deal to extend the payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance (UI) benefits, and several other programs past the end of February. Unfortunately, some members of Congress are demanding a change in the Child Tax Credit that could hurt millions of low-income children to help pay for a larger deal. If you can pick up the phone right now and give Congress a call, please do.

Now, got a few minutes or you are not able to call? Amplify your advocacy with Congress using social media. Last year, RESULTS and other members of the SAVE for All campaign engaged in a social media day of action to protect vulnerable Americans in deficit reduction talks. We’re at it again, using social media to put additional pressure on Congress to protect the Child Tax Credit and Unemployment Insurance (UI).

Here’s how you can get involved:

On handy online directory) and click the ‘Like’ button at the top. Then post a message like this to his or her wall: Please fully renew unemployment insurance without denying the Child Tax Credit to millions of working poor families — no cuts, no barriers to benefits! Do not go home for the recess without continuing federal unemployment insurance while protecting tax credits for low-income working families.Remember you can tailor the message – the more personal the story, the better! Visit the RESULTS Facebook page to let us know you took action.

On Twitter, find your senators’ Twitter handle (also in this online directory) and post/tailor one of these messages like this:

  • Dear (@insert your Representative or Senator’s Twitter “handle” – their address) Please fully renew unemployment insurance without cuts or barriers to benefits, no #ChildTaxCredit cuts #SAVE4All
  • .(@Representative)Extend #UI to support economic recovery! 14,200 people here use it to pay for basic needs bit.ly/smGt9e #SAVE4All
    • Click here to find the number of people if your state who would lose their benefits if unemployment is not extended
  • Dear(@Representative/Senator), need another reason to #extendUI? Here are five reasons: bit.ly/v56ixP #SAVE4All
  • What does $1,800 mean to your family? (@Representative/Senator), read this: bit.ly/zL5vuD no #ChildTaxCredit cuts! #SAVE4All
  • And, spread the word!) Call-in Day today 2/14 on #UI & #CTC! Call toll-free 888-245-3381 or visit bit.ly/v56nVM #unemployment – Plz Call! #SAVE4All

I’ll also post these Tweets to Congressional leaders as @DodsonAdvocate if you want to “retweet” my messages. We urge you to use the hashtag #SAVE4All so we can create more of a “buzz” — see our recent blogpost on Twitter hashtags for more information. Not sure how to Tweet? Wondering more about a “Twitter handle”? You can learn more about Twitter strategies and tips from our partners at Half in Ten through this introductory guide. For more experienced Twitter users looking for additional tips, download this advanced guide. In the coming months, we’ll provide more training on how to use social media effectively as we build the movement to end poverty here in the US and around the world.

** For more information about RESULTS and how you can make a difference, including our work in communities across the country to create the political will to end poverty, please join the RESULTS Introductory Call on February 17 at 1 pm ET. RSVP at http://tinyurl.com/RESULTSMeetandGreet.

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