Terri Hamrick Kessel, MNM
Executive Director
Survivors, Inc.
Post Office Box 3572
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-0589 Extension 22
Facsimile (717) 334-3576
EMail: Terri@...

Mission Statement
Survivors supports those who experience domestic violence or sexual assault
and strives to create a world in which violence against women and children
is unthinkable.



-----Original Message-----
From: policy@... [mailto:policy@...] On Behalf Of
Nicole A. Lindemyer
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 1:48 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: TUESDAY 3/18 CALL-IN DAY FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BUDGET ADVOCACY

This message is from the PCADV Policy Contacts List

PLEASE FORWARD FREELY & DISTRIBUTE WIDELY!

ACTION ALERT

On Tuesday, March 18, there will be a statewide call-in day to tell our
state legislators that domestic violence programs need an increase in this
year's budget!

Domestic violence programs are in a funding crisis. Combined state and
federal funding for statewide domestic violence services has increased only
1.43 percent (that's just $401,207) since 2002! At the same time, costs are
staggering--food, fuel, utilities, insurance, rents have increased
dramatically.

Funding shortfalls are having a devastating impact on local programs'
ability to serve victims. Programs have had to lay off staff and cut back
on their services, including community education, school programs, and
children's advocacy. These shortfalls mean critical opportunities to reach
victims
and their children are being lost.

What can you do to help? A LOT!!! Join us March 18 for a statewide call-in
day to your state representatives and senators!

1. Call your state representatives and senators on Tuesday, March 18. To
find their names and contact info, go to the PA General Assembly Website at
[ http://www.legis.state.pa.us/ ]www.legis.state.pa.us. In the top right
corner of the screen, there is a section called "Find Members By." Enter
your zip code or county. The search will pull up a list of all the
legislators for your area. Click on the member's name to go to her or his
individual page, which lists further the contact info.

2. Tell them: "I am a constituent from (your town) and a supporter of our
local domestic violence program (program name)."

3. Tell them:
- "In order to help victims find safety from abuse, domestic
violence programs need adequate funding. Programs are in a crisis, with
skyrocketing costs forcing them to lay off staff and cut back on services."

- "Please increase the budget line item for domestic violence services by
$2.2 million. This is the minimum amount needed to stave off further
reductions and sustain services, and include necessary Cost of Living
Allowances."

- "Please tell caucus leaders that funding for statewide domestic violence
services needs to be a priority in the 2008-09 budget!"

4. If the legislator wants additional information, please let the Executive
Director of your local domestic violence program know so that we can follow
up.

Please recruit your colleagues, friends, neighbors, and others you know who
care about domestic violence victims to also call their legislators on March
18! EACH AND EVERY CALL IS CRITICAL and MAKES A DIFFERENCE!!! Victims of
domestic violence and the programs that help them are counting on
their communities to tell our legislature that domestic violence funding
must be a priority. The safety of our families and communities depends on
our ability to help victims in crisis, for which programs desperately need
increased funding.

On behalf of all domestic violence victims and programs in Pennsylvania,
THANK YOU for doing your part to make sure every home is a safe one!

Nicole A. Lindemyer, Esq.
Policy & Special Projects Manager
Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV)
6400 Flank Drive, Suite 1300
Harrisburg, PA 17112
(717) 545-6400, ext. 205
nal@...

This list provided as a service of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against
Domestic Violence.