Advocacy

Please continue to advocate for the rights of the disadvantaged in this city. I know I will! – Carl S., C.A.R.E. member and former SOME client

Carl testifying at Fair Budget Coalition hearing

Our Advocacy Program focuses on public policy solutions to the problems of homelessness and poverty in Washington D.C. Our work is informed by the direct experiences of SOME’s clients and staff.

We partner with direct service providers, other advocacy groups, and individual community members to identify issues that need attention. Working with them, we develop recommendations for local and national funding, policy, and law.  We also testify and meet directly with D.C. government officials to share SOME's experience and policy recommendations.

We know that government officials attend, above all, to the will of the community, so we seek to engage SOME’s clients and staff in communicating with policymakers. We also seek to inform and engage all concerned citizens as partners in our Advocacy Network. Sign up to get our action alerts and updates on new developments.

We are currently focusing on the following major issue areas:

• Affordable Housing
• Access to Health Care
• Mental Health & Substance Abuse
• Employment
• Wages & Income Support
• Access to Nutritious Food
• Homelessness & Homeless Services

Please visit these sections to learn more about what we and our partners are advocating and why. Then visit our collection of advocacy resources to help you shape public policy.