Last week, United Way leaders from across the country gathered in Washington, D.C. for United Way World Wide’s annual Advocacy Forum, Capitol Hill Day. Among them were Jen Jabas, Executive Director of United Way serving Douglas, Otter Tail, Pope, Todd, and Wadena counties, and Stephannie L. Lewis, Associate Vice President of Advocacy and Community Impact at Greater Twin Cities United Way.
Together, they joined nearly 400 United Way advocates to meet with members of Congress and champion policies that make a direct impact on the people and communities they serve.
Jen brought a vital rural perspective, elevating the challenges faced by ALICE families (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) in Greater Minnesota. From limited access to affordable childcare and transportation to ongoing gaps in digital infrastructure and housing resources, Jen ensured that the voices of rural families were heard in national policy conversations.
Key areas of focus included:
Strengthening 211, a 24/7 helpline that connects people to essential local services. Jen shared the importance of this resource in rural counties and urged support for federal investment to sustain it.
The ALICE framework, which gives lawmakers a clearer picture of working families who are financially strained despite being employed.
United Way’s advocacy work is rooted in local knowledge and driven by community needs. These conversations on Capitol Hill reflect a shared commitment: to ensure every person, in every zip code in Minnesota, has the resources and opportunities to thrive.
As national policies continue to take shape, United Way remains at the forefront - representing the voices, challenges, and strengths of our rural communities. We’ll continue to advocate for solutions that reflect what our region needs most.
“Across the United Way network, we don’t wait for change to happen—we show up. We bring local voices, real data, and the lived experiences of our communities to the tables where decisions are made. Advocacy isn’t an extra effort. It’s a core part of how we ensure that families, especially in rural communities, aren’t left behind as policy takes shape.”
— Angela F. Williams, President and CEO, United Way Worldwide
United Is The Way - we advocate for our community.
