The Purple Postcard Campaign

Everywoman Opportunity Center's
Displaced Homemaker Program
Needs Your Help!

Help Us Get the NYS Displaced Homemaker Program
Restored to New York State's Budget

TOGETHER
We CAN Make a Difference

Everywoman Opportunity Center's largest program - the Displaced Homemaker Program - is NOT in the Governor's proposed budget. This would have a significant impact not only on our 5 centers in WNY, but also the other 17 Displaced Homemaker Centers across New York State. We need your help.

The Displaced Homemaker Program has been assisting women in obtaining and maintaining employment in WNY for over 30 years. Remember - this program returns money to the state via taxes on earnings of individuals helped into viable jobs and it is the ONLY safety net for women in transition in the state. Please see the talking points below for more crucial information.

The Governor's budget has cut ALL funding for these vital services.

Consequently, Everywoman and the other Displaced Homemaker Centers across New York are reaching out with their Purple Postcard campaign and asking its supporters to send these cards directly to: the Majority Leader of the New York State Senate, Pedro Espada Jr; the Speaker of the New York State Assembly, Sheldon Silver; and the Governor of New York State.

There are three options available to take part in the Purple Postcard campaign:

1. Drop by your local EWOC center to pick up purple post cards.

2. Phone or email EWOC at the contact information supplied below requesting purple postcards and they will be mailed to you immediately.

Gloria Wilson
Office Manager
Everywoman Opportunity Center, Inc.
237 Main Street, Suite 330
Buffalo, NY 14203
716-847-1120
716-847-1550 fax
gwilson @ everywoman.org

3. Click on the email links below to indicate your support of the Displaced Homemaker Program.

Speaker: Sheldon Silver
Majority Leader: Pedro Espada Jr

4. Please write or call directly to any or all of the following New York State officials at the addresses below:

Pedro Espada, Jr
Majority Leader
Capitol Building Room 420
Albany, NY 12247
Tel: 518-455-3395
Fax: 518-426-6858

The Hon. Sheldon Silver
Speaker
New York State Assembly
LOB Room 932
Albany, NY 12248
Tel: 518-455-3791

While postcards definitely make a statement, a letter makes an even greater one. Please consider writing a letter and whenever possible please send us a copy of your letter. Feel free to use our sample letter below. If you are a past participant or an employer who has benefitted from your involvement with EWOC and the Displaced Homemaker Program you are especially encouraged to write and share your experiences.

Sample Letter (Can be saved and printed with Micosoft Word)

Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns and thank you for your help.

Talking Points:

• Restore funding for New York State's Displaced Homemaker Program.
• The Displaced Homemaker Program is the ONLY statewide Women's Program.
• Because the program provides wraparound services, it enhances the work of the State's One Stop System.
• The Program focuses on long term economic stability and self sufficiency.
• The Program returns money to the state via taxes on earnings of individuals helped into viable jobs.
• It is the only safety net for women in transition in the state.