What is Capitol Hill Day?
Participating in the Alliance’s annual Capitol Hill Day is one of the most important ways to help end homelessness. Through face-to-face meetings with Members of Congress and their staffs, you have an opportunity to establish and build relationships with congressional offices; educate elected officials on success and progress at home; and encourage them to work in support of policy initiatives to eliminate homelessness. This year’s event will focus on asking for continued federal investments in ending homelessness and educating Congress on the progress we’ve made toward that goal.
Is Capitol Hill Day for Me?
You don’t need any special skills in policy or advocacy to participate in Capitol Hill Day. You just need to share your perspective on the work you do each day. The Alliance and designated “State Captains” from your area will provide you with resources and talking points to help you get ready for a great meeting. Your State Captain and the Alliance will schedule your visit and make sure you know where to go to participate in Capitol Hill Day.
How Does It Work?
The Alliance provides Capitol Hill Day participants with a number of opportunities to get prepared, comfortable, and excited for their time on The Hill.
- On Monday, July 23, the Alliance will host a pre-conference session entitled Advocacy and Policy: Making Your Voice Heard on Capitol Hill Day and Every Day, to provide information on advocacy basics, Hill Day policy priorities, and tips and techniques for taking your advocacy back home. Staff will review these policy priorities to ensure that participants and other interested advocates have all of the information necessary for successful Hill visits. They will also address key logistical questions regarding participation.
- The Alliance will also have a Capitol Hill Day and Advocacy Table at the conference, where you can pick up resources and connect with members of the Alliance’s Advocacy team.
- “State Captains” will hold prep sessions to prepare for the congressional meetings. You can find the state prep session times and locations listed on the conference app or posted near the Capitol Hill Day table. For questions about your state prep session and meetings, you can reach out to your State Captain(s) directly or stop by the Capitol Hill Day table.
Last year, hundreds of advocates from dozens of states attended meetings. We are hoping for another successful year this year, and can’t ensure the issue of homelessness is on Congress’s radar without YOUR help!
Remember to check this page regularly, as resources will be added above in the lead up to the event!