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Washington State has experienced major budget cuts over the last few years, but cuts made to health and human services in the 2011-2013 state budget have disproportionately impacted people of color. Anticipated cuts to education, food assistance, health care, mental health, substance abuse and income support programs in this upcoming legislative session will further exacerbate already existing racial and economic disparities. Dr. King's message of equality and justice for all is particularly poignant today, with more and more members of our community struggling to meet their most basic of needs. Here's what you can do:
Contact your legislator
Tell Washington state lawmakers that you support equality for all….ask them to support policy and budget decisions that will work to reduce and eliminate racial inequities.
Step 1: Click here to find your legislator.
Step 2: Choose from this list of messages relating to housing, hunger, and affordable childcare
Step 3: Email your message or call the toll-free hotline at 1-800-562-6000 (TTY for Hearing Impaired 1-800-635-9993) to leave a message for your legislator (you will need to give your name and street address. For non-English speaking callers interpreter services for many languages are offered).
Spread the Word
Use the power of your social networks to raise awareness about the impact of budget cuts on communities of color. Choose from the sample Facebook and Twitter posts below, or simply share a link to this page and encourage your friends to learn more. If posting to Twitter, remember to use hashtag #MLKSea
Sample messages for Facebook and Twitter
| 1. | This year's budget cuts have disproportionately impacted people of color. Tell lawmakers that you value equality! http://bit.ly/zK44p0 |
| 2. | Martin Luther King advocated for the poor and people who were treated unjustly. Use your voice to raise awareness today! http://bit.ly/zK44p0 |
| 3. | Hunger doesn't discriminate. Cutting State Food Assistance does. http://bit.ly/zK44p0 |
| 4. | Disability Lifeline ended. The Housing and Essential Needs program that replaced it now faces elimination. Keep HEN! |
| 5. | A proposed 15% reduction to Working Connections Child Care will impact 5,000 working parents http://bit.ly/zK44p0 |
| 6. | Got something to say? Email your local legislator to tell them how you feel about local issues http://bit.ly/zK44p0 |
| 7. | Help close the achievement gap. Volunteer as a tutor or mentor in your community! www.uwkc.org/volunteer |
Volunteer!
Now, more than ever, community organizations are relying on the time and talents of volunteers to support their work. Whether you're interested in mentoring youth, donating your professional skills, or serving a hot meal to those in need, there is an organization out there that needs your help. Create a volunteer profile and search hundreds of volunteer opportunities with local organizations at www.uwkc.org/volunteer
Contact United Way of King County
The inclusion of any organization or person in this database does not constitute a representation, warranty, or endorsement with respect to the competence, suitability, or reliability of such organization or person by United Way of King County; nor does United Way of King County sponsor or endorse any third-party web site. Legal Notices
