LOPPW Is… Part of the ELCA Advocacy Network, & State Public Policy Office. A partner of ELCA World Hunger: Video GPQ

LOPPW – An Advocacy Ministry What does it mean to be an advocate?

Being an advocate is speaking up for a person, a creature or a cause. Martin Luther spoke up for people who were treated unfairly and for people who didn’t have enough to eat. What makes you want to advocate? is speaking up for a person, a creature or a cause. Martin Luther spoke up for people who were treated unfairly and for people who didn’t have enough to eat. What makes you want to advocate?

Advocacy is Becoming aware of people’s struggles and roots of problems; educating others – holding forums Strategizing about solutions Writing letters to the editor; writing letters to and calling legislators and visiting legislators and their staff Connecting with other groups such as LOPPW Becoming aware of people’s struggles and roots of problems; educating others – holding forums Strategizing about solutions Writing letters to the editor; writing letters to and calling legislators and visiting legislators and their staff Connecting with other groups such as LOPPW

What does advocacy have to do with my faith?

exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life Food and Agriculture Organization (United Nations) exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life Food and Agriculture Organization (United Nations) Food Security

Levels of Food Security High food security — no problems, or anxiety about consistently accessing adequate food Marginal food security — problems at times, or anxiety about, accessing adequate food, but the quality, variety, and quantity of food intake is not substantially reduced Low food security — quality, variety, and desirability of diet is reduced, but the quantity of food intake and normal eating patterns are not substantially disrupted Very low food security — At times during the year, eating patterns of one or more household members is disrupted and food intake reduced because the household money and other resources for food High food security — no problems, or anxiety about consistently accessing adequate food Marginal food security — problems at times, or anxiety about, accessing adequate food, but the quality, variety, and quantity of food intake is not substantially reduced Low food security — quality, variety, and desirability of diet is reduced, but the quantity of food intake and normal eating patterns are not substantially disrupted Very low food security — At times during the year, eating patterns of one or more household members is disrupted and food intake reduced because the household money and other resources for food

Briefly about a Lengthy Subject In the U.S. hunger is not caused by scarcity of food but rather the continued prevalence of poverty. Both issues must be addressed in our continued efforts to seek justice. What causes poverty? Leads to questions about PUBLIC POLICIES (power, persistent inequality, corporate and governmental accountability and agricultural policies). In the U.S. hunger is not caused by scarcity of food but rather the continued prevalence of poverty. Both issues must be addressed in our continued efforts to seek justice. What causes poverty? Leads to questions about PUBLIC POLICIES (power, persistent inequality, corporate and governmental accountability and agricultural policies).

Child Poverty in WI and MI Child poverty rate is still below the national average (18% vs. 23%): Wisconsin’s rate has grown faster than the national rate over the decade The child poverty rate in Michigan is 25% in lower Michigan and just over 21% in the UP. Child poverty rate is still below the national average (18% vs. 23%): Wisconsin’s rate has grown faster than the national rate over the decade The child poverty rate in Michigan is 25% in lower Michigan and just over 21% in the UP.

When do we say a youth is homeless? The McKinney-Vento Act defines homeless children and youth as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence. The term includes children and youth who are: sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reasons; living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or campgrounds; living in emergency or transitional shelters abandoned in hospitals; awaiting foster-care placement; living in a primary night-time residence not used as a regular sleeping accommodation; living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; migratory children living in any of the circumstances described The McKinney-Vento Act defines homeless children and youth as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence. The term includes children and youth who are: sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reasons; living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or campgrounds; living in emergency or transitional shelters abandoned in hospitals; awaiting foster-care placement; living in a primary night-time residence not used as a regular sleeping accommodation; living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; migratory children living in any of the circumstances described

How many children and youth are homeless in Wisconsin and Michigan? At the end of the school year, 13,364 students were identified as being homeless in Wisconsin public schools. Homeless identification has nearly tripled in Wisconsin over the eight years that identification has been required by the USDE. Michigan - In Michigan there are approximately 38,636 homeless youth. At the end of the school year, 13,364 students were identified as being homeless in Wisconsin public schools. Homeless identification has nearly tripled in Wisconsin over the eight years that identification has been required by the USDE. Michigan - In Michigan there are approximately 38,636 homeless youth.

Why Advocacy The change in one state policy can impact more people than all church programs in the state. Parable of the Lost Sheep Advocacy versus Lobbying The change in one state policy can impact more people than all church programs in the state. Parable of the Lost Sheep Advocacy versus Lobbying

LOPPW Priorities Addressing the problem of Sex Trafficking – Safe Harbor Bill Engaging the Challenges of Homelessness – Minimum wage connected to youth homeless with families. Calling for Prison Reform for Youth Offenders – Bill that would have youth 17 years old tried as juviniles Confronting the Reality of Children in Poverty - Federally we will advocate for the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act in Addressing Statewide Poverty issues as they arise – We will support the Vote Yes on BadgerCare November 4 th campaign. Supporting the ELCA’s advocacy efforts Addressing the problem of Sex Trafficking – Safe Harbor Bill Engaging the Challenges of Homelessness – Minimum wage connected to youth homeless with families. Calling for Prison Reform for Youth Offenders – Bill that would have youth 17 years old tried as juviniles Confronting the Reality of Children in Poverty - Federally we will advocate for the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act in Addressing Statewide Poverty issues as they arise – We will support the Vote Yes on BadgerCare November 4 th campaign. Supporting the ELCA’s advocacy efforts

ELCA Washington D.C. Office We work through political channels on behalf of the following biblical values: peacemaking, hospitality to strangers, care for creation, and concern for people living in poverty and struggling with hunger and disease. For more information on ELCA Advocacy visit at Facebook: ELCA Advocacy Twitter: ELCA advocacywww.ELCA.org/advocacy ELCA World Hunger ELCA Justice for Women Lutheran Social Services We work through political channels on behalf of the following biblical values: peacemaking, hospitality to strangers, care for creation, and concern for people living in poverty and struggling with hunger and disease. For more information on ELCA Advocacy visit at Facebook: ELCA Advocacy Twitter: ELCA advocacywww.ELCA.org/advocacy ELCA World Hunger ELCA Justice for Women Lutheran Social Services

State Public Policy Offices Arizona – Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in ArizonaLutheran Advocacy Ministry in Arizona California – California Lutheran Advocacy MinistryCalifornia Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Colorado – Colorado Lutheran AdvocacyColorado Lutheran Advocacy Illinois – Lutheran Advocacy of IllinoisLutheran Advocacy of Illinois Iowa – Social Justice Advocacy Lutheran Services in IowaSocial Justice Advocacy Lutheran Services in Iowa Minnesota – Lutheran Coalition for Public Policy in MinnesotaLutheran Coalition for Public Policy in Minnesota Nevada – Lutheran Episcopal Advocacy in Nevada (LEAN)Lutheran Episcopal Advocacy in Nevada (LEAN) New Jersey – Lutheran Office of Governmental Ministry in NJLutheran Office of Governmental Ministry in NJ New Mexico – Lutheran Advocacy Ministry – New MexicoLutheran Advocacy Ministry – New Mexico Pennsylvania – Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPA)Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPA) Virginia – Virginia Interfaith Center for Public PolicyVirginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy Washington – Faith Action NetworkFaith Action Network Wisconsin – Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin (LOPPW)Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin (LOPPW)

Using our Voice to Confront Poverty It is not about supporting any political party, but about our values as a Lutheran community, saved by grace and freed to act out of that grace.

Quiz Two-part quiz: In which decade was hunger almost eliminated in the U.S.? And which president launched and bolstered programs to make it so?

Richard Nixon in the 1970s Expanded food stamp, elderly feeding, and school breakfast programs.

Biblical Themes Resource from Advocacy Manual More than a few isolated passages in scripture addressing hunger and poverty. We have consistent warnings against perverting justice and need to care for our neighbor, stranger, the oppressed and to have a prophetic voice. Resource from Advocacy Manual More than a few isolated passages in scripture addressing hunger and poverty. We have consistent warnings against perverting justice and need to care for our neighbor, stranger, the oppressed and to have a prophetic voice.

Advocacy Ministry – A Manual for Pastors and Lay Leaders a compilation of very fine already existing faith-based advocacy materials, some of which are not easy to find, with new additions from the Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin. LOPPW organized the manual for clergy and lay leaders to use in their congregations. “that we may speak…our ministry of Action ELCA step-by-step guide to help congregations choose an issue and begin a ministry of advocacy Advocacy Ministry – A Manual for Pastors and Lay Leaders a compilation of very fine already existing faith-based advocacy materials, some of which are not easy to find, with new additions from the Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin. LOPPW organized the manual for clergy and lay leaders to use in their congregations. “that we may speak…our ministry of Action ELCA step-by-step guide to help congregations choose an issue and begin a ministry of advocacy

We are not alone When Jesus prepared to leave this world in his human form he said to his disciples in St. John 14:16: “God will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever.” When Jesus prepared to leave this world in his human form he said to his disciples in St. John 14:16: “God will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever.”