RESULTS Weekly Update February 23, 2022

Quote of the Week

“We know the work of both La’Shon and Paul is unfinished. Both of them were so deeply dedicated to a better and more equitable future for the country and the world. May we honor their lives by both acknowledging their enormous contributions and committing ourselves to move our vision and this work forward.’’

– RESULTS Executive Director Joanne Carter in a statement following the deaths of RESULTS Expert on Poverty La’Shon Marshall and Partners in Health founder Dr. Paul Farmer

Table of Contents

• Child poverty increased 41 percent in January – make sure lawmakers know it
• Great work on the Global Fund sign-on letter!
• Register for Saturday’s “Back to our Roots” Conference
• Quick News on U.S. and Global Poverty
• Announcements
• Upcoming Events
• Grassroots Resources

Child poverty increased 41 percent in January – make sure lawmakers know it

A new analysis by Columbia University’s Center on Poverty and Social Policy shows that 3.7 million children fell into poverty in January. The child poverty rate jumped by 4.9 percent – a 41 percent increase – between December 2021 and January 2022. For Hispanic and Black children, the results were worse with a 7.1 percent and 5.9 percent increase respectively.

The reason? 51 senators allowed the Child Tax Credit (CTC) monthly payments to expire at the end of December.

Sadly, this outcome was not unforeseen. Advocates, including RESULTS, have been shouting for the last two months that ending the payments will force millions of children back into poverty. That threat evidently did not sway enough lawmakers into taking action. Let’s hope the reality of it now will.

Members of Congress are on recess this week. While they are back home, remind them that while Congress delays, children are suffering. Lawmakers could have prevented this ongoing tragedy. They still have the power to end it.

TAKE ACTION: While lawmakers are on recess, make sure they know that inaction on the CTC is forcing children in their states into poverty. Here is what you can do:

• Send a letter to the editor calling on your members of Congress by name to take action to extend the CTC.
• Call your local congressional offices and check their websites to see if they are planning any public events this week that you can attend (if in person, attend only if you feel it is safe). Ask what are their plans to extend the CTC and stop more children from falling into poverty? Use our 2022 Laser Talks to help with drafting a question and contact RESULTS staff for coaching.
• Send a message to your local action networks to call Congress about supporting workers and families struggling to make ends meet. Since lawmakers are home, call local offices to leave the message.

Use the February U.S. Poverty Action for additional background and talking points. If you need help, please contact RESULTS staff for assistance.

Great work on the Global Fund sign-on letter!

Your persistence paid off! Your outreach to House office secured the support of 137 representatives from both parties on the Global Fund sign on letter to the Administration. Find a copy of the signed letter here and the list of signers here. Congratulations!

TAKE ACTION: But our work is not done. We’ll need to continue to educate and cultivate our members of Congress to ensure the US makes a bold pledge and that Congress appropriates the funding needed for the U.S. to do its part. Here’s what you can do:

• If your representative signed the Global Fund sign-on letter to the Administration, thank them by reaching out to the aide(s) you worked with, write a letter to the editor and mention them by name, or write them a thank you messaging using our online action (share the action with others as well).
• If you representative did not sign on, let them know that the letter was a success and that there will be other opportunities for them to support the Global Fund replenishment. Contact the aide(s) you’ve been working with and share the sign on letter with them. Let them know you are hoping to work together for a successful replenishment. You can also use our online action to message to your representative and encourage other advocates to do the same.
• Read the new Global Fund Case for Investment. The Global Fund is requesting donor pledges of at least $18 billion at the replenishment conference later this year. With at least $18 billion in donor pledges over the next three years the Global Fund estimates it can save an additional 20 million lives and put us on tract to ending the three pandemics by 2030. Additional investments in equitable global health systems will also prepare us for future pandemics.

Register for Saturday’s “Back to Our Roots” Conference

Inspired by the RESULTS BIPOC Caucus, the Back to Our Roots: Connecting Policy to the BIPOC Community in a Historical Context conference is a half-day event this Saturday, February 26, where we will have the opportunity to come back to our roots and learn more about the historical context of the issues we advocate on. The conference will feature speakers from the African-American, Asian-American, Pacific Islander, and Native communities; panels and workshops that present a deeper understanding of the roots of systemic oppression (and how it grows into the issues of poverty we witness on a domestic and global scale); and most importantly, what needs to be done now to end systemic oppression and build a future where everyone can thrive. We hope you will join us.

TAKE ACTION: The Back to Our Roots Conference is this Saturday, February 26, 12:00-4:00 pm ET. The event is free and all are welcomed, but you must register to attend. The event will NOT be recorded so be sure to register today.

Quick News on U.S. and Global Poverty

Media hooks of the week. To help you in your media advocacy, here are suggested media “hooks” this week to use in letters to the editor:

• U.S. Poverty: A new report from Columbia University researchers shows that the child poverty rate rose by 41 percent in January due to the Child Tax Credit payments stopping. How long are lawmakers in Washington willing to let children fall deeper into poverty before they finally extend the CTC?
• Global Poverty: The death of Dr. Paul Farmer is a tragedy and devastating loss to those pursuing equity and justice in global health. Share your personal reflections on Paul Farmer’s legacy and how we can all carry his work forward.

Announcements

RESULTS mourns the loss of La’Shon Marshall and Paul Farmer. This past weekend marked two tragic losses in the RESULTS family. We first learned that Dr. Paul Farmer, founder of Partners in Health and long-time RESULTS ally, unexpectedly died at his home in Rwanda. Then news came that RESULTS Expert on Poverty La’Shon Marshall, along with her 5-year-old son Caleb and boyfriend Aaron, were killed in Detroit. Our community is devastated by these events. Please read the full statement from RESULTS Executive Director Joanne Carter, including how you can share your memories of La’Shon.

Tomorrow’s Global Policy Forum canceled. Due to scheduling difficulties, there will be no Global Poverty Monthly Policy Forum tomorrow. The Forum will return in March. If you missed it, watch the recording from last week’s U.S. Poverty Policy Forum.

Tonight’s A/O Working Group Open Forum postponed. Due to unforeseen circumstances, we are postponing tonight’s Anti-Oppression Working Group Open Forum scheduled for 8:30 pm ET. We will announce a replacement date soon. In the interim, you may find additional resources at https://results.org/volunteers/anti-oppression/, including links to register for upcoming Diversity and Inclusion 101 trainings. If you have any questions, comment, or concerns regarding RESULTS’ Anti-Oppression work, please contact us at [email protected].

Register for the March National Webinar. Register for the March 2022 RESULTS National Webinar on Saturday, March 5 at 1:00 pm ET. For the U.S. Poverty section, Michelle Dallafior from First Focus for Children will discuss how housing and tax policy impact child poverty. For our Global Poverty section, Linda Mafu of the Global Fund will overview the Global Fund case for investment and how the Global Fund works with affected communities. Register for the webinar today!

Register for March 9 Diversity and Inclusion 101 training. As part of our work to dismantle systems of oppression, we have a goal of having all RESULTS volunteers attend our “Diversity and Inclusion 101” training in 2022. The next open session is Wednesday, March 9 at 11:00 am ET, with additional offerings over the next few months. Seating is limited for each session so register for upcoming session today. If you’re unable to attend a session you registered for, please cancel your registration to allow others to participate (see instructions in your confirmation e-mail).

Upcoming Events

Congressional schedule. The House and Senate are on recess this week.

Unless otherwise noted, registration ends one hour prior to the start of all webinars and trainings.

Thursday, February 24: Diversity and Inclusion 101 training, 12:00 pm ET. Session currently full.

Saturday, February 26: Back to Our Roots – Connecting Policy to the BIPOC Community in a Historical Context, 12:00-4:00 pm ET. Register today. All welcome.

Monday, February 28: Global Poverty Free Agents, 7:00 pm ET. If you are interested in joining, contact Lisa Marchal for more information.

Saturday, March 5: RESULTS National Webinar with Michelle Dallafior and Linda Mafu, 1:00 pm ET. Register today.

Wednesday, March 9: Diversity and Inclusion 101 – Implicit Bias, Microaggressions and Understanding of Systemic Racism and Oppression, 11:00 am ET. Register here.

Thursday, March 10: Global Allies – Ending Poverty with RESULTS Monthly Webinar for Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, 8:30 pm ET. Register here.

Tuesday, March 15: U.S. Poverty Free Agents, 1:00 pm and 9:00 pm ET (new time). If you are interested in joining, contact Jos Linn for more information.

Tuesday, March 15: Together Women Rise Webinar, 8:30 pm ET. Check out more information on this partnership with RESULTS online.

Wednesday, March 16: Action Network Webinars, 12:30 pm ET and 8:00 pm ET. Register for the afternoon session or evening session. Registration ends one hour prior to each webinar. (In 2022, Action Network webinars will take place every other month.)

Weekend of June 4. RESULTS International Conference. Keynote speaker: Jelani Cobb of The New Yorker. More information soon on this virtual event.

Grassroots Resources

Learn about the RESULTS Experts on Poverty.

Find actions and volunteer resources on our Volunteers Hub, including our anti-oppression resources. To join the RESULTS listserv for more RESULTS conversation, send an email to [email protected].

Remember to please report your recent advocacy successes in lobby meetings, media, and outreach activities. Also, use our Volunteer Information Form to add or edit volunteer info and to sign up for updates and alerts.

If you have a question, comment, or suggestion for the RESULTS/REF Board, please e-mail Lindsay Saunders at [email protected]. View Board minutes and Annual Reports.

RESULTS Staff directory and job postings.