Friendship Place Advocacy & Community Organizer Lynn Amano on her advocacy work with City leaders.
Friendship Place believes that advocacy is the most effective way of gaining the support needed to access the required resources for preventing and ending chronic homelessness. Strategic advocacy by staff, board, supporters and participants, propels Friendship Place to work at the systemic level, advancing our vision of a region in which every person has a place to call “home.”
Our advocacy at the city and federal level has led to increased funding for programs that are successfully reducing homelessness. Our work is also encouraging changes to policies that affect veterans, families, and individuals experiencing homelessness.
At the local level, we have succeeded in mobilizing our community to speak out against proposed cuts to homeless services. Our advocate teams testify at every relevant DC Council hearing each year, urging our elected officials to direct resources to proven, rapid solutions like homelessness prevention, rehousing and job placement, while investing sufficient funds in supportive housing to end homelessness for those who are more vulnerable and need longer-term help.
As a result, we have seen the DC Council increase funding in the District budget for permanent supportive housing, as well as new funding for rapid rehousing.
We welcome anyone – individuals, service providers, campaigns, and coalitions who share our passion to end homelessness to join our (Friendship Action Network) FAN group.
Please contact Lynn Amano at 202.290.4318 or lamano@friendshipplace.org.