E-Advocates #11
Why You Should Join Emmaus At The Capitol!
January 29, 2024 | Guest Blog By Nancy Droesch, Emmaus Board Member and Advocate
5 Emmaus Advocates pose in front of the Missouri State Capitol. Each is holding an Emmaus folder and smiling. Nancy Doresch is the woman in the center. Among the group is former State Senator Chuck Gross and one of our Emmaus Direct Support Professionals!
I’m inviting you to attend one of Emmaus’s legislative days in Jefferson City. I was new to this form of advocacy, and here’s what I gained from the experience:
- Strength in Numbers: Coming together with like-minded individuals amplified our voices and gave me new perspectives and ways to approach our concerns, making me a better advocate.
- Direct Influence on Decision-Making: Engaging directly with legislators helped me see them as individuals versus the caricatures I read about in the news. Likewise, we become real people with real concerns to them, making it harder for the decision-makers to ignore our needs.
- Educational Experience: The experience gave me a firsthand look at the legislative process. I gained an understanding of how the state budget is developed, debated, and ultimately approved.
- Sense of Civic Duty and Empowerment: The legislative day was a way for me to exercise my rights and contribute to the betterment of society, knowing I did what I could to create positive change.
Having a regular presence at the state capital will keep the needs of Emmaus, our clients, and our staff top of mind for legislators. Try it!
Want to join Emmaus at the Capitol? Sign up on the form below for Emmaus Advocacy Days that go from now through May, and/or join us at Disability Rights Legislative Day on March 13 at the Capitol, look out for the form below.
Nancy Droesch sits next to Representative Travis Wilson to discuss why funding Medicaid services for providers like Emmaus is so critical.