Advocacy/Education
WHY WE LEND OUR VOICES
FACAA relies on community leaders who comprise a group known as the Community Action Councils (CAC) to support the messages and services of the organization. Made up of concerned citizens and residents who face economic problems themselves, they are passionate and willing to advocate on the most pressing issues affecting low-income communities. These issues include assuring healthcare programs and equal access; livable minimum wages, the provision of affordable housing, eradication or control on the practices of pay-day loans, and funding for Grady hospital. The CAC has been active in the Fulton County Commission, Atlanta City Council and the State Legislature since the organization was founded. These members are always focusing attention on the needs of low-income communities and adding their voice where needed.
Why Advocacy is Important.
Putting action into advocacy can be best exemplified in the manner in which FACAA works to help people.
Many examples of advocacy exist and continue to be of concern today. The advocacy and impact of the Grady Coalition, of which FACAA belongs, helped hundreds of thousands of Georgia citizens who would have suffered unnecessarily or died because they could not afford the rising costs of prescribed medicine. Controversial lending practices are exposed as poor citizens from other advocacy groups and FACAA's CACs (led by sincere local elected officials), expose predatory lending practices that cause them to lose their homes. Even still, many more thousands of Georgians would suffer with no heat during the winter had it not been for the courageous advocacy of the Fair Energy Committee which has advocated for lower energy costs, fair billing and sensitivity to the needs of poor seniors and low-income families.
Hundreds of families each year, would be homeless had it not been for the direct services of FACAA and its services and advocacy to prevent eviction.
Empower. Encourage. Engage.
FACAA understands how important it is to give low-income citizens a voice. When we educate the community about laws, policies and changes in systems, they speak out on behalf of others in need. This way, FACAA encourages and engages the community.