Providers: residential partners can drive
‘Day at the Capitol’ participation

By Heidi Smith, Chair of the MOHR Grassroots Committee, Executive Director of Winona ORC

Advocacy can be challenging. Finding time to educate our stakeholders about the important issues and deciding which issues you should focus on can be frustrating.

One of the most difficult hurdles may be getting the individuals we serve to the Day at the Capitol in March, especially if the program you serve is in rural Minnesota.

However, despite these many valid reasons to throw in the towel, I have a couple great ideas to help you overcome these barriers and get the message of your organization to our legislators.

At Winona ORC Industries, we have been blessed with a wonderful relationship with the major residential program in Winona, Home and Community Options (HCO). Because of our shared vision for those we serve, we work together to get both of our messages to the legislators who represent Winona. We have met with our legislators together here at home and at the Capitol.

But the greatest synergy is HCO taking our individuals to the Day at the Capitol in a coach bus! They apply for a grant to make this special event happen.  We are so grateful to partner with them for this special day.

This may not be your story. You may not have a close relationship with your local residential program. You may feel you are too far away to come to the Day at the Capitol. But let me create a challenge for you. Whether you can make it happen this year or next year, you should find a way to make your presence known at the Day at the Capitol.  Build a relationship with your local residential program.  Get a coach bus with another provider. Find a way to make it work!  You got this!