Advocacy

Reston Interfaith works with and for those affected by poverty or who struggle with accessing the tools to reach self-sufficiency, to educate and develop consensus for change that begins at the community level. Even with our comprehensive programs and services supported by our supporters and partners, there are system-wide challenges to addressing inequities and poverty that threatens the vitality of all who live and work in our community.

RI staff, board members, and citizens can lend their voice to influence change in the state legislature, Congress, local governing bodies, faith groups, corporate board rooms, and general community. We regularly participate in public hearings on key human service issues, particularly those focused on Fairfax County priorities for human services. Our general efforts include representing clients in applications for assistance and housing; educating our greater community about the issues of concern to people in need of shelter, affordable housing, food, child care, and other human services, as members of community and government advisory boards, commissions, and task forces; and helping our clients’ tell their stories to parishioners, businesses, neighbors, media, and elected officials.

Below are examples of Reston Interfaith's recent advocacy work:

• RI established the statewide Save Our Child Care campaign to restore federal funding and increase state and local funding for Virginia’s child care fee subsidy program, participated on the Fairfax County Board-appointed committee that recommended the Penny Fund for Housing Preservation that preserved more than 2,000 homes.

• Reston Interfaith and its CEO have played a lead role, as a member of the Executive Committee on the implementation of the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness in Fairfax.

• We are a founding member of Nonprofit NoVA, an affiliate of the Nonprofit Roundtable of Greater Washington, to enhance the voice and value of the nonprofit sector.

• Reston Interfaith’s CEO serves on the Board of Directors of the Nonprofit Roundtable, the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, the Meyer Foundation, the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, and the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce.