NCJW Weekly Advocacy Wrap-Up: April 30
NCJW CA is not going to let the continuing pandemic stand in the way of our advocacy for the issues and people we care about! In fact, advocacy this year is more important than ever, so we will be holding our second virtual NCJW CA Lobby Day on May 26, 9 am-12 pm. Join us on behalf of the women, families and children of California – no experience needed. Prior to May 26, there will be training on the issues and the process of advocacy. It’s fun, important, and you don’t even need to leave the comfort of your home.

NCJW CA Lobby Day 2021 will be held via Zoom. In the morning, the Executive Director of the legendary Equal Rights Advocates will talk about the remarkable coalition they lead, of which NCJW CA is a proud member, and you will hear speakers from organizations leading the fight in each of our issue areas. The do’s and don’ts of advocacy and how to be most effective in a virtual environment will also be discussed. Then, in the afternoon, members from each Section will virtually “meet” (either via Zoom or telephone) with legislators and/or legislative staff from their districts.
Planned Parenthood announces the launch of a 2-part Advocacy Ambassador Training Series. Volunteers who want to take their involvement to the next level will learn new skills and strategies for the important outreach and advocacy work we need to do in order to shape the future of sexual and reproductive health care in California and beyond! 
 
The Advocacy Ambassador 101 training on Saturday May 29 from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM will cover basics about Planned Parenthood services, advocacy, messaging, story sharing, and a look at the fight ahead. We will build a network of passionate advocates across Orange and San Bernardino Counties who can help support and build on the advancement of access to care. Save the date for the 201 training on June 26, more details to come.
 
Upon completion of the training series, you will receive certification as a Planned Parenthood Advocacy Ambassador - something you can proudly add to a resume and rep in the community! Every participant will receive food delivery credit and of course, Planned Parenthood Swag. Register today at: bit.ly/CAFambassador101
Move with JFCS of Long Beach for mental health awareness all month long! Walk, run, ride, roll, or swim the distance of your choice, wherever and whenever you want, while helping people in our area as they struggle to emerge from the pervasive effects of COVID-19. Join or organize a team, or take advantage of our Family Plan where kids 17 and under are free with a paying adult. Visit www.racewithaview.com for information and registration. Contact Pattie Davidson with any questions: 562.427.7916.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has begun operations for their humanitarian shelter, located at the Long Beach Convention Center, for unaccompanied children arriving from the border of Mexico. Long Beach has welcomed its first group of children. This shelter will mostly welcome young girls, some who also have siblings.

The mission of this humanitarian shelter is quick family reunification. We must treat every single child with compassion, kindness, and love.

Upon their arrival to the shelter, children will be assigned a youth care worker and other staff will provide health and medical care, case management services to ensure safe reunification with a relative or verified sponsor, mental health counseling, and educational services.

Children are in classrooms for 3-4 hours a day, they have an outdoor and indoor recreation center, and a store where they can pick clothes and supplies.

If you would like to help, there are several ways you can show your love for these kids:

Book Donation
One of the first things you can do is donate a book. They have launched a drive for books in English and Spanish.

Volunteer
Organizations and any individual interested in volunteering can also learn more about the temporary shelter and fill out a volunteer interest form.

Donate
For anyone interested in making a monetary donation, the Long Beach Community Foundation has created the Migrant Children Support Fund. Donations made to the fund will be granted to grants to organizations that will provide educational and play items for the children during their stay in Long Beach, and gift cards to assist the children as they are reunited with their families. Uses of these charitable funds will be updated as the needs arise during the children’s stay in Long Beach.
Celebrate World Refugee Day with a Drive-in Movie
Sunday, June 20 at 5:30 pm

Please join the Orange County Jewish Coalition for Refugees and bring your family and friends to The Mess Hall in Tustin for a fun, socially-distanced drive-in movie to celebrate World Refugee Day 2021. We will be showing the film, The Good Lie, starring Reese Witherspoon. Snacks and dinner, as well as raffle tickets, will be available for purchase. Proceeds will help OCJCR continue to assist refugees and asylum seekers.
This week saw continued firsts for the Biden-Harris administration: the first time a woman vice president and woman Speaker of the House joined the president for his address to a joint session of Congress; the first Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on President Biden’s first federal judicial nominees (the most diverse nominees of any president); and the first presidential plan focused on women and children — The American Families Plan — which alongside the American Jobs Plan lays out a bold vision for an economy that works for all of us.

Thanks to all of you — your calls, emails, lobby visits — NCJW achieved nine of our top ten priorities within the first 100 days! 
What else can we work on?
  • Ensuring Coverage for Abortion Care
  • DC Statehood
  • Hate Crimes
  • Judicial Nominations
  • Transgender Rights and Equality

To take action on any of these issues, click here.