By Andrea Bodine
It’s hard to believe that August is nearly here, and with it, the last push for Summer of Action! As we enter the final month of this new initiative, I find it helpful to take stock of the work we have done so far to drive us forward in the coming weeks.
Thanks to Alliance members and their network partners, we have commitments for engagement with 48 Members of Congress in their states or districts around the country. These efforts spearheaded by 16 community lead organizations in more than 20 states showcase the breadth and depth of the international exchange community, while also building awareness and fostering connections with policymakers whose constituencies directly benefit from these programs and their impact.
Please see below three fantastic examples of recent Summer of Action activities:
- Staff from Sen. Susan Collins (D-ME) joined 55 Work and Travel participants for a Cultural Homestay International J-1 Welcome Orientation in Old Orchard Beach, Maine.
- The World Affairs Council of New Hampshire hosted Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) for a moderated conversation on the outcomes of the 2024 NATO summit.
- AuPairCare staff and three Maryland au pair host families met with staff from Rep. John Sarbanes’ (D-MD, 3) office in Columbia.
Local advocacy is a critical component of the Alliance’s work. This is especially true as threats to exchange programs continue to emerge, most recently with last month’s House amendments. Building relationships with local communities and congressional staff through efforts like Summer of Action helps to reinforce the our work in DC and ensures these threats are handily defeated with bipartisan support.
If you are interested in participating in Summer of Action and have not already committed, there is still time to get involved! Check out our list of key communities to see if there are areas where your organization would like to lead a Summer of Action effort ahead of Labor Day. Members of Congress in communities where we don’t yet have a lead organization include Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA, 14), among others. For more general information on Summer of Action, please visit our website page or reach out to me at abodine@alliance-exchange.org.