Supporting U.S. Fund for UNICEF Congressional Action Teams

by Amber Stone, National UNICEF Congressional Action Team Leader

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead

My involvement with U.S. Fund for UNICEF began in November 2014 when I joined UNICEF’s Next Generation, a group of young professionals volunteering to support major fundraising events including Ebola Awareness and the annual Hope Gala in Chicago. 

As my passion for the organization’s work grew, I began looking for more ways to get involved. With a background in public policy and advocacy, I was thrilled when I learned about the newly forming  Congressional Action Teams (CATs).  I quickly connected with Jennifer Chan, Manager of Engagement at Advocacy, to join the team in Chicago.

Together with several other leaders we recruited a team of passionate volunteers, provided issue education, and mobilized to engage policymakers. We started by writing and calling our Senators and Representatives--many of us doing this for the first time. Below is a picture taken from a meeting at Congressman Danny Davis' Office last summer.

Since the CATs launched we have learned how to effectively plan for and hold in-person meetings with our Members of Congress . We’re advocating for continued allocation of $132 million to support UNICEF. In addition, we’ve asked Congressional Offices to support legislation impacting the world’s most vulnerable children including the Girls Count Act, Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act, and most recently the Reach Every Mother and Child Act. 

I recently relocated from Chicago to Washington D.C. and my role on the Congressional Action Team has shifted from one of the Chicago team leads to a national team leader. In this new role, I'm working to develop new CATs in cities across the country. CATs are beginning to sprout up in San Francisco, Atlanta, and Denver. If you are interested in making a real impact in the lives of children around the world, please consider joining a Congressional Action Team or starting one in your city. Email jkchan@unicefusa.org to learn more.