Another busy month has passed in the world of GBIO. Several UP members attended last month’s power-building training, where we learned about building relational power together. We also made calls and sent letters to the Governor to support more funds for public housing. Brookline also had local town meeting elections which many of our members were involved in. Thanks to each of you who contributed to these important efforts!
Want to get more involved in this work? Reach out to us at gbio@upbrookline.org if you’d like to meet and learn more about the work of GBIO and specific ways you can support our mission of building community power across the Boston region.
Best,
Connor I. and David R.
United Parish GBIO Liaisons
TAKE ACTION
Donate Furniture for Returning Citizens
GBIO member Justice4Housing is looking for furniture for some houses they use for rapid rehousing for returning citizens. Dressers, sofas, chairs, and kitchen tables, and beds (like mattresses, bed frames) are the most helpful. Reach out to David Rockwell if you have questions or would like to donate furniture.
Tell Friends and Family to Fight for Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act!
GBIO, along with over 100 organizations across the country, is continuing the fight to stop President Trump from cutting $880 billion from Medicaid and the ACA to pay for massive tax cuts for the wealthy.
How can you make a difference? By reaching out to friends and family in other states who have moderate Republican members of Congress and asking them to urge their reps to vote no. We believe we can convince enough of them to vote no, once the terrible impact on their own constituents and providers becomes clear.
Here are the steps:
1. Click here to access a flyer with a link to talking points and a chart with specific districts with these moderate Republican members, so you can see where you might know friends and family that could reach out to them.
2. Please talk with your friends and family about what these cuts would mean to you and to them–that will prepare them for their calls to reps.
3. Once you have reached out to your network, click here to complete the reporting forms and help us track our efforts.
Build Relational Power
In this season of power-building, one of GBIOs main efforts is to promote relational power. The simplest way we do that is to meet up and talk about justice, power, and our own stories! Interested in sitting down over coffee, sharing your story, and learning how you can get connected to the work of GBIO? Send us an email at gbio@upbrookline.org or find David or Connor at church to set up a time to meet.
UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES
In-Person Relational Get Together – Tuesday, May 27, 7:00 PM
Register here! – the form says in-person, but it is virtual!
Are you interested in connecting with other GBIOs members from different congregations? Join us on Tuesday, May 27 on Zoom to do just that. During this call, you’ll be paired with another GBIO member for a one-on-one conversation about how you are living your faith and your values. This is a wonderful chance to make a new connection, learn more about other faith traditions, and broaden GBIOs power through relationship building.
UPDATES
Keeping the Promise – Campaign for Public Housing
Thank you to all who contacted the Governor’s office to voice your support for budgeting $200 million in badly needed capital funds for the state public housing system of more than 40,000 units or around 80,000 residents. Together we generated over 300 letters to Governor Healey’s office and other relevant public officials. GBIO leadership followed up on this action by meeting with Housing Secretary, Ed Augustus, to reiterate our commitment to getting our neighbors in public housing the funds they need. Final decisions on the capital budget should be announced by the end of May, so keep a lookout for more news on that front.