Jan 21, 2020
8:30am – 2:00pm
University of Richmond Downtown- Lower Level Room Multipurpose Room
626 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Registration is closed.
Over the next few days, the attention of our lawmakers will shift to the protests anticipated for Capitol Grounds on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We suggest avoiding the area on Monday as our staff will be as well. We will monitor the situation and will provide any updates on Monday, especially to our advocacy day participants, who plan to attend the advocacy day Tuesday. Please know that we will keep your best interests in our minds. We prioritize the safety and well-being of our advocates first and will make a decision within those priorities.
Location: University of Richmond Downtown is conveniently located in the heart of the city at 626 E. Broad Street. We will walk to the Pocahontas building for meetings with legislators.
There is a 5-6 block walk between UR Downtown and the GA building.
Parking: A parking deck is located adjacent to the building on 7th Street between Broad and Marshall Streets. Street parking, metered parking, and other parking decks are conveniently located on nearby streets.
Take the Bus: GRTC Transit System has a number of bus stops near UR Downtown, including the GRTC Pulse Government Center station. The University pays the bus fare for full-time students, faculty, and staff to use GRTC. To obtain a bus pass, complete the online request form. The UR Downtown Shuttle also connects campus and UR Downtown on weekdays.
Attire: We encourage advocates to dress warm and in layers as you may be cold when waiting in line to get in the building and through security. However, inside the General Assembly, it may get warm. The coat closets in the GA are limited, and often times, hard to find. Your group may not have time to look for one. We also encourage you to wear comfortable shoes as there will be a lot of walking.
Security: To enter the Capitol Building and the Pocahontas Building, members of the public must pass through metal detectors. The screening line can be long at certain times. It’s a good idea to arrive plenty early to give yourself time to clear security. As you think about personal items to have with you at advocacy day, please consider that the more you have in your pockets or bag, the longer your entry screening might take.
GUNS: Effective January 2020, people are not allowed to bring firearms of any type inside the State Capitol Building and the Pocahontas Building. This ban includes no exception for people with valid concealed carry permits. The firearms ban does not apply to the grounds of Capitol Square. Note: These rules are subject to change at any time by the Joint Committee on Rules.
We hope everyone can attend the full advocacy day. Here are key times to mark on your calendar. Voices has arranged for meetings with your legislators from 9:00- 11:00 AM.
We will begin the day with partners at the University of Richmond Downtown (626 East Broad Street, Multipurpose Room B01) to hear an overview of the latest issues and talking points. There, you will meet your team leader, who will review your meeting schedule, talking points, and answer any questions you have. There will be a light breakfast provided.
If you would like to connect with us to prepare your talking points, please view the webinar below and mark your calendar for Friday, Jan. 17th, 2 pm-4 pm to connect with us directly. Information is at the bottom of this email.
Important note about the morning of: We do not have access to the room until 8:00 am. We do need to begin promptly. We look forward to seeing you and appreciate the great teamwork action to get things going!
Voices for Virginia’s Children is scheduling these meetings for you. Most participants will have meetings in small groups with others from the same district.
Walk to the General Assembly building for appointments scheduled with legislators for advocates who have registered through Voices. Please be prepared to share more about the activities you participate in through your trauma network and to support trauma-informed care.
From 11:00am to 11:30am, we will break and advocates can make their way back to U of R Downtown. Some advocates may have a meeting scheduled at 11:00 am. We thank you for your flexibility.
During this time, Campaign partners will share thoughts on how the policy agenda impacts them. Everyone will have an opportunity to share feedback on meetings with legislators and thoughts on shaping local action to support the Campaign.
A conversation with elders with lived experience of cultural and historical trauma. They will highlight their experiences in living through Jim Crow, segregation, experiencing the assassination of MLK, and more.
Light lunch will be provided.
We are hosting a small post-advocacy reception as an opportunity for Trauma-Informed Community Network Members and other participants to network. After a long morning of advocacy, we think this will be a great opportunity for advocates across the state to meet each other. As a form of rejuvenation, we have artists (who have also been invited to attend the advocacy day) performing pieces that meet the themes peace and resiliency.
We are featuring an array of talent, including writers, musicians, slam poets, motivational speaking, and more. We hope you will stay for the full event in order to witness their talent and the emotions they bring into this form of expression.
View our Campaign for a Trauma-Informed VA Advocacy Day Webinar
