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Advocacy
What can citizens do to influence key legislation?
Each year DenUM chooses to follow local and national legislation that will directly impact its clients.
Click on any of the topic areas below for recent news, citizen action opportunities and legislative updates on DenUM's watch-list. Or skip to a quick list of the legislation and actions in which DenUM has participated this year.
Click here if you would like to be updated on advocacy efforts via email.
Core Values of Advocacy - Topic Areas
Employment opportunities should be available and accessible to anyone who is able to work. Those working full time should earn enough to support themselves and their families. *ACTION ITEM*
Families should be supported in raising healthy children and caring for elderly or disabled dependents.
Health Care is a basic human need. It should be accessible, adequate, and affordable.
Homelessness is avoidable. Housing should be accessible, safe and affordable.
Hunger is inexcusable in our community. All should be able to provide their families with nutritious food.
Incarceration is often an ineffective solution to community problems. Families and communities are strengthened through policies that promote rehabilitation and the successful reintegration of the formerly incarcerated.
Immigrants -- both citizen and non-citizen -- deserve to be treated with dignity and deserve to have their basic human needs met.
National and Local Issues
Policy decisions that impact the lives of low-income people affect the quality of life for us all.
Who else is involved?
Communications and Outreach
DenUM maintains a communication network with more than 100 faith communities in the Denver metro area. These congregations educate their members on issues of social justice via bulletin announcements that include statistics and information related to hunger, homelessness and poverty. DenUM also provides speakers and educational forums upon request. Congregations and adult groups participate in letter writing campaigns and legislative advocacy.
Collaboration
DenUM seeks collaborations with experts in areas that serve low-income populations. Often, DenUM staff are asked to take leadership positions in these groups. Executive Director Tammy Mulligan is an appointee to the Weatherization Policy Advisory Committee of the Governor's Office of Energy Management and Conservation, and is Past President of the Colorado Anti-hunger Network. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Western Arapahoe County Homeless Alliance. Community Relations Director Belinda Lanyk serves on the boards of Capitol Hill United Neighbors and Capitol Hill United Ministries. Additionally, DenUM relies on a group of community experts to inform its stand on public policy.
Through involvement with coalitions, taskforces, and agencies, DenUM can track broad socio-economic trends and work for solutions. Working with coalitions and other advocacy groups maximizes the power to influence social outcomes. Click here for a list of the groups and task forces of which DenUM is a member.