Advocacy

The Office of Social Policy regularly distributes legislative alerts on topics of concerns to Catholics. Please read our latest alerts.

Other opportunities to become involved in changing the systems and structures of our society that prevent individuals from enjoying full dignity and freedom include:

The CFC mission statement calls CFC to “persistent advocacy for the poor and vulnerable.” The leaders of each department know as the Operational Leadership Team (OLT) has the responsibility keeping a balance between services and advocacy in the work of CFC. Each department addresses issues of systemic change in collaboration with other agencies and coalitions. Under the leadership of the director of Social Policy, CFC carries out agency-wide advocacy addressing the issues faced by CFC clients.

The 2008 CFC Advocacy Agenda, as approved the CFC Board on March 26, 2008, is:

• Ongoing Analysis and Planning
  • Monthly discussion of advocacy issues and appropriate action steps developed at OLT meetings to develop and implement the agency-wide advocacy plan
  • Standing report on the OLT meeting agenda
  • Coordinating and cultivating relationships with legislators
    
    
• 2008 Focused Issues
  • Voter Registration Campaign
    • Assist CFC staff, board, and clients, in registering to vote
    • Offer educational sessions on the “value of voting” for clients and staff and one-page hand out.
    • Provide transportation to polls on voting day—when feasible for clients in residential programs
    • Assist parishioners and community members in registering through the Rochester Voter Alliance (Marv and Brigit)
    • Goal: 3,000 registrations through Rochester Voter Alliance and CFC
      
      
  • Pursue recycling office paper, plastic bottles, etc., at all CFC sites.
    
    
• CFC will address these four long term issues in keeping with our mission of persistently advocating for the needs of the poor and vulnerable.
  • Affordable Housing
    • A sub-committee is exploring whether CFC should move into housing initiatives, in light of the funding available from NY State
    • CFC to serve as a catalyst other agencies to address the issue, e.g., urging Providence Housing to offer housing for ex-offenders
      
      
  • Department of Human Services (DHS), Monroe County
    • Prepare a multi-level response including CEO and Senior Leadership Department Directors and Staff, and Community members
    • Conversations with the DHS Commissioner, Kelly Reed
    • Identify and address specific concerns and issues
      
      
  • Employment
    • Explore advocacy issues at OLT during the upcoming year, e.g. those issues related to the NY State Department of Labor
      
      
  • Transportation
    • Explore service and advocacy issues at OLT during the upcoming year