Determined To Make A Difference: Rain Or Shine!

July 2014

#Selfie might have been the word of the year in 2013, but #selfless should be a front-runner for 2014, at least in terms of IJM advocates. On June 9 – 10, I was incredibly inspired by the time I spent with the people who flew in for the IJM Advocacy Summit. Giving of their personal time and resources to come and speak up for some of the most vulnerable people in our world, almost 300 men and women gathered in Washington, DC, and headed to Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress and their staff.

Lobby Day 2014 was rough in terms of weather: we started with rain, went to blazing sunshine, and had scorching temperatures throughout. But that didn’t stop our advocates. They tirelessly endured the rain and beat the heat, because they were dedicated to spreading the word about the problem of slavery and how we can fight to end it.

Clutching an array of rain gear, IJM folders, and water bottles, residents of almost all 50 states met with their representatives and senators. They asked their members of Congress to help in the fight against child slavery by supporting a Dear Colleague letter, requesting that the U.S. partner with the Philippines and Ghana through the Child Protection Compact Act. Each IJM advocate bravely shared their stories and reasons for being involved in the abolitionist movement, and their convictions about ending modern day slavery. The message was amplified by the hundreds of people who called their members of Congress on the same day about the same issue.

And their voices – your voices – were heard! The Dear Colleague letter has now closed, with strong support from both sides of the Congressional aisle. Because of you, there is a real chance that the game could be changed in favor of vulnerable children in the Philippines and Ghana. If you were a part of Lobby Day or Call-In Day, thank you. Thank you for stepping forward and raising your voice on behalf of others. Thank you for being a true force for freedom.

Final Listing of members of Congress who support the Dear Colleague letter