Ready to Make Change?
Advocacy isn’t only for experts or officials. It’s for community members who want to see improvement where they live. Using your voice is a powerful way to help shape decisions that influence housing, transportation, childcare, healthcare access, and more. Advocacy is about making sure the real experiences of community members shape the laws, programs, and policies that affect their everyday lives.
Why Your Voice Matters
Legislators, whether at the local, state, or federal level, make decisions based on the needs and concerns they hear from the people they serve. When community members call, email, or share their stories, it helps leaders understand what’s working, what isn’t, and where change is needed. Your perspective carries weight.
How to Reach Out to Your Legislators
You don’t need special training or complicated language. A simple message can make a big difference. Here’s how to get started:
1. Find out who represents you.
Search your address on your state’s legislature website or on your local government page to see the names of your elected officials and their contact information.
2. Choose how you want to contact them.
You can call their office, send an email, or submit a message through their website. All of these methods are valid.
3. Share what matters to you.
Be brief and clear:
- Introduce yourself and say you’re a constituent.
- Explain the issue you care about.
- Share how it affects you, your family, or your community.
- Ask them to support solutions that address the concern.
What Happens When You Call or Email
Reaching out might feel intimidating, but here’s what actually happens:
- Phone calls: You may speak with an aide. Their job is to listen, take notes, and pass your message to the legislator. Your call is logged, counted, and shared during internal briefings.
- Emails: Your message is reviewed by staff, grouped with similar messages, and summarized for the legislator. Personal stories are especially helpful because they show real impact.
- Your message becomes part of a larger picture. Staff track how many people are reaching out about each issue. This helps guide the legislator’s priorities.
Change starts with action
Reach out to your elected officials about the issues that matter to you. Use the resources below to find your representatives and share your voice. We are here to support you, answer questions, and provide resources so you can speak up confidently about what matters most to you.
