New campaigns offer ways to get active

Our Children, Our Duty, Our Future

Our Children, Our Duty, Our Future, a new campaign spearheaded by the Children's Advocates Roundtable, aims to educate policy makers and the general public about how cuts in health care, foster care, education, child care, and welfare would hurt children. They're encouraging parents and people who work with children and families to share their personal experiences in letters to their state legislators and visits to their district offices. The website includes resources to help people take action for kids.
For info: Contact Lisa Kaplan, kaplan4kids@yahoo.com

Together for California's Future

Together for California's Future (T4CF) -- a broad new coalition formed by organizations of parents, teachers, health care advocates, school employees, seniors, firefighters, law enforcement officers, environmentalists, people with disabilities, caregivers, and working families -- is working to oppose proposed budget cuts of "billions from the vital services that California's families rely on every day." The new coalition wants to "change the conversation,"
says Central Valley regional coordinator John Boisa and reject a "cuts-only" strategy for balancing the budget. They are encouraging people to

• Get the facts about the impacts the cuts would have in your county from the California Budget Project at www.cbp.org/Impactbycounty.htm
• Write letters to the editor and op-ed articles in your local papers
• Visit legislators in your district—and recruit local business, religious, professional, and other leaders to contact legislators too
• Get involved in local events the coalition is planning. In June, for example, local groups held events at schools and clinics, press conferences, and town hall discussions of the local effects of budget cuts.

For info: contact Shawnda Westly, Shawnda@togetherforca.org, or Kim McCoy Wade, Kim@togetherforca.org

Health Care for America Now

Health Care for America Now is a national campaign bringing people together to demand quality, affordable health care for everyone. Supporters include national and community-based activist organizations, labor, health professionals, and faith-based organizations. The California campaign will continue to press for state-based health reform.
For info: contact Health Access