Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy to honor volunteers, partners

The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy will recognize the hard work and extraordinary contributions of its volunteers and partner organizations during its Annual Celebration and Awards Benefit.

VICPP advocates economic and social justice in Virginia’s policies and practices through education, prayer, and action. This year the organization will celebrate the achievements of our honorees for their work advocating for Medicaid expansion, criminal justice reform, immigrant rights, and wage justice.

Medicaid Expansion

• Jill A. Hanken is an attorney for the Virginia Poverty Law Center and Director of its Enroll Virginia project. She was a statewide leader of the Medicaid expansion effort and the Health Care for All Virginians Coalition.
• Senator Emmett W. Hanger, Jr. a Republican from the 24th district located in the central Shenandoah Valley, was the primary champion of Medicaid expansion in the Senate.
• Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association was a key partner in the fight to expand Medicaid. VHHA is focused on principled, innovative and effective advocacy and works to advance health and economic opportunity for all Virginians.

Immigrant Rights

• Virginia Intercollegiate Immigrant Alliance (VIIA) is a network of students who advocate tuition equity for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) students.

Criminal Justice Reform

• Lillie Branch Kennedy is the Founder and President of RIHD (Resource, Information, Help for the Disadvantaged and Disenfranchised). Ms. Kennedy is one of the leading advocates for criminal justice reform in Virginia. This year the felony threshold was raised from $200 to $500.

Wage Justice

• The Richmond Living Wage Committee, a joint project of the City of Richmond’s Office of Community Wealth Building and the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy. On March 22, Richmond Mayor Stoney announced the launch of the first Living Wage Certification program in Virginia. The committee has already certified more than 20 companies and organizations.
• The Alexandria Living Wage Committee launched the Living Wage Certification Program on July 19, which certifies employers who pay their workers a wage in line with the cost of living in the city.

This year’s benefit will take place on September 26, 6PM-10PM at the Hippodrome Theater, 528 N. 2nd Street in Richmond’s historic Jackson Ward neighborhood. Guests will enjoy an evening of cocktails and dinner, including Salsa dance lessons while learning about the work of the Virginia Interfaith Center and honoring our award recipients. Purchase tickets here.