RESULTS Weekly Update October 15, 2025
Quote of the Week
“Poverty is not a crime nor a punishment, and all Americans should work together to ensure that every family has access to adequate amounts of nourishing food, even during a time when Congress is divided.”
– RESULTS Phoenix volunteer Barbara Rodman in an October 10 letter to the editor in the Phoenix Independent
(Is this newsletter too long; didn’t read (TL;DR) the whole thing? Scroll to the bottom for the most important points or the “TL;DR”)
Your media work is building steam
As the government shutdown enters its third week, RESULTS is working to push lawmakers to do their job. Congress must pass a budget that lifts people up and makes us stronger as a nation. While congressional offices are closed, our volunteers are busy flooding the media with letters to the editor and op-eds demanding action on our poverty priorities.
Our “600 Voices” media campaign goal is 600 pieces by December 31. So far, you’ve published 428. Even more impressive is that in October alone, you’ve gotten 33 media pieces in just 14 days. Phenomenal! At that pace, you’re getting 2.3 pieces published each day. If we can maintain this, we are bound for success. Let’s see it through!
Pro tip: Acknowledgement! Developing relationships with the writers and editors at local papers can be just as transformative developing relationships with members of Congress. And just like with lawmakers, a thank-you can go a long way. When you read coverage or opinion pieces highlighting aspects of our priorities, reach out to the editor in charge with a compliment. Let them know that coverage of things such as poverty, healthcare, nutrition, foreign assistance, and education makes a difference to you. It’s sometimes risky for writers and editors to spotlight and cover tough subjects like poverty. Let them know you are reading and appreciating their vital work. You never know where it might lead.
Submit your next letter today! With many members of Congress home during the shutdown, your local media will get their attention, so be sure to mention them by name when calling them into action. Check out our Action Center for templates can customize and send. Need some current hooks? Take a look at a recent blog on the continuing effectiveness of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria as well as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Tell the story of why support must increase and continue. Be inspired by a recent piece by a current Fellow illustrating what’s at stake due to the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. And utilize our refreshed hooks tracker for writing ideas!
See our online media tools for resources to help you write and submit media pieces. And join the next Media Office Hour on Wednesday, October 22, 2-3 p.m. ET. Brainstorm hooks, get editing or submission support, celebrate a success, and bring any questions you might have. No need to register for this drop-in hour. Join via Zoom at https://results.zoom.us/j/93668005494 or dial (312) 626-6799, meeting ID 936 6800 5494.
Also, meet with lawmakers who are home during the shutdown. Many lawmakers are in their home districts as the shutdown continues. Take advantage of this extra recess. Take your message directly to them about funding our priorities in the FY26 budget and ensuring the money gets spent. (And share your recently published media!) Contact the local office for your member of Congress and ask to schedule a meeting or attend a public event. Our Action and Allies page has lobbying resources for you. If you schedule a meeting, let us know right away and we can help you prepare.
Things not to miss
Nominate someone for a RESULTS Grassroots Award. Nominations are now being accepted for 2025 RESULTS Grassroots Awards. The Bob Dickerson Leadership Award is awarded to a grassroots volunteer who shows extraordinary leadership and commitment to the mission of RESULTS. The Cameron Duncan Media Award is given to a journalist, editor, or grassroots volunteer for outstanding work on issues related to poverty in the media. You may nominate as many people as you like. However, please make a separate submission for each person or award. The deadline for nominations is Wednesday, November 5. Nominees and recipients will be announced in December. Contact Joanna DiStefano for more information.
Celebrating the gathering of RESULTS advocates for movement-building. Have you heard about the Great Lakes Regional Conference that brought together advocates both in person and via Zoom for a day of encouragement, learning, and solidarity? Our volunteers plan regional events throughout the year. Contact Joanna DiStefano for more information.
Register for the November National Webinar. Our guest speakers will be Rep. Maxine Dexter (D-OR) and Sachiko Osawa, Community of Practice Coordinator for Leading Change Network. Rep. Dexter will offer her expert perspective on our campaign work, and Ms. Osawa will offer us best practices to help our organizing both take root and have wings. You will not want to miss this incredible combination of guests. Register today for this webinar to be held Saturday, November 1 at 1 p.m. ET!
TL;DR (too long; didn’t read): Help us achieve our “600 Voices” media campaign goal by year’s end, consider nominating a fellow advocate for a 2025 RESULTS Grassroots Award, read up on recent activities of your fellow advocates, and register for the November National Webinar.
Quick Links: Action Center, Events Calendar, National Webinar recordings