By Kathy Bell
On February 11th, an additional few inches of snow and slush did not deter over sixty residents and staff of 2Life Communities’ seven campuses from venturing to the Golden Dome to take part in the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program Cookie Day (MRVP).
This annual advocacy event presents an important and festive opportunity to raise awareness for MRVP’s impact on some of the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable residents. It’s also a great way to bring a human element to policy conversations by connecting supportive legislators with the very residents they are championing. Here’s a look back on this exciting and successful Cookie Day.
Upon arrival, the participants immediately brought a sense of extra life and spirit to the State House. Although it’s a place that many residents and staff have visited to advocate on many issues, on February 11th, supporting the $300 million MRVP was at the forefront. Although some were once intimidated to visit the State House, the majestic building is now a familiar place. They were excited to reconnect with their local legislators, whom they now see as friends and allies.
The 2Life team took over seven tables in the mighty Great Hall to cheer on the Big Cookie Award recipient, Chairman Aaron Michlewitz, and the House Chair of the Joint Committee on Housing, Representative Rich Haggery. The Big Cookie Award is doled out to MRVP’s biggest champion, and Rep. Michlewitz has fiercely supported affordable housing and housing security initiatives over the last decade in his various committees and Chairmanships. The enthusiastic 2Life residents also waved their poms continuously for the staff of Representative Adrian Madaro and Senator Joan Lovely (sponsors of H.1547, An Act Codifying the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program, and S.2826, An Act Relative to the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program, respectively).
Then it was time for two amazing 2Life residents to take center stage to passionately speak about what the MRVP vouchers have meant to them. Rita Gibbons from the Leland House and Alice Schwinger from the Shirley Meadows House delivered heart-felt speeches sharing their personal stories, noting the sense of relief and security the MRVP program has provided.
“Quite frankly, I was so impressed on how smart and engaged the Legislators and their staffs are. We were listened to, they were generous with their time, we were looked at and they cared. I relayed my thoughts with so many residents at the Shillman House and my family. I was so impressed by it all. The day was beyond my expectations.” Anne, resident of Shillman House
After lunch, five groups of 2Life residents and staff traveled the building to visit House and Senate leadership, their local Representatives and Senators, and other housing champions to voice their support for funding the MRVP program, as well as the passage of S.2826 and H.1547. Beyond the scheduled meetings, 2Life’s presence and energy lifted the spirits of so many legislators and staff who passed by – a testament to the positive impact of the in-person advocacy day.
It was a great day all around, and IMG was thrilled to be part of it! The 2Life residents had a blast, and the weeks of planning and preparation made for a smooth and effective event. We are grateful to all of the incredible legislators and their staff who made 2Life’s residents feel welcome under the Golden Dome once again.
“There is no one I trust more to help us pull off a meaningful and impactful advocacy day than IMG. Picture it: 60 seniors making their way to the State House from 8 different campuses, more than 20 meetings and dozens more drops carefully coordinated into schedules, and unbelievable energy carried throughout the day. They are superstars and help us account for every detail- and never forget to help ensure we all have fun! “ Emily Levine, Chief of Advocacy, 2Life Communities