NY CAT

Introducing UNICEF Congressional Action Teams

Since July, CAT members in Chicago, Miami, Nashville and New York have had 10 meetings with Congressional offices.

by Jennifer Chan, Advocacy and Engagement Manager

Over the last six months, teams of UNICEF supporters have come together to form Congressional Action Teams--CATs for short--in several cities across the country. Each month, CAT members learn something new about UNICEF’s work on issues affecting children around the world, and then receive training on, and support in engaging their legislators on these issues. Pictured above are New York UNICEF Congressional Action Team members putting children first at Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney's office.

Since July, CAT members in Chicago, Miami, Nashville and New York have had 10 meetings with Congressional offices. For many, this was the first time they interacted personally with their elected officials. Overcoming jitters and persevering through many a scheduling challenge, they’ve done an incredible job letting their legislators know that there’s strong support for UNICEF in their Districts and states. Pictured below, Miami CAT members meet with Senator Rubio's staff in Miami.

Miami CAT

Together, CAT members have urged their Representatives and Senators to maintain the U.S. government contribution to UNICEF, support the Girls Count Act, protect runaway and homeless youth from trafficking, and most recently, to ensure that the most vulnerable people on the planet are not forgotten as the Sustainable Development Goals are adopted later in September.

Want to make a real difference for the world’s children? Join a UNICEF Congressional Action Team OR a monthly advocacy call, and learn to be an effective advocate wherever you are! Email volunteer@unicefusa.org to sign up.