Become An Advocate
for our community
Advancing public policy is crucial for our success as a community
Our work doesn’t stop at understanding our community’s needs and connecting individuals and families with the direct services they need to achieve long lasting success. United Way of Summit & Medina advocates at the local, state and national level for policies that advance our Bold Goals for 2028, including the basic needs of our community. Our longstanding community connections and firsthand experience help guide policy makers as they tackle the problems that face Summit & Medina counties.
Public Policy to Help Ohio Thrive
United Way of Summit & Medina delivers direct services to thousands of individuals and families. Through an ecosystem of support, we connect people to critical community resources while helping them build pathways toward long-term self-sufficiency. Our focus is on equipping working families to not just get by but to achieve ongoing stability and thrive.
As a trusted, nonpartisan convener, we provide a platform where our engagement with policymakers drives meaningful, community-informed solutions. Our work puts people at the center of a system of support, giving them personalized help to meet their needs, from necessities like stable housing to ongoing support like financial counseling. Through our 211 service, help is accessible, responsive and always within reach – just a phone call away.
United Way of Summit & Medina’s
2026 Policy Priorities
Self-Sufficiency
Financial Empowerment
We support policies and legislation that address Ohio’s “benefits cliff” and advance pathways to financial independence. This includes removing structural disincentives and barriers to wage progression, and promoting pathways for individuals to obtain stable, gainful employment. We advocate for sustained investment in community programs focused on financial empowerment, such as Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), an extended federal Child Tax Credit (CTC), and refundable state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to help working families build financial stability, increase take-home income and move toward long-term economic mobility.
Closing the Skills Gap
We advocate for policies and legislation that expand access to mid-tech skills training opportunities for incumbent workers and those considered to be un- or underemployed. Prioritizing equitable access for disadvantaged populations, these efforts enable workers to adapt to evolving labor market demands, build in-demand skills, and secure sustainable, upwardly mobile employment.
Stabilizing Families
211
We support maintenance of state funding and appropriation of federal funding to leverage 211 as a key partner of government. With the expansion of 211 to all Ohioans in 2026, 211 can relieve the burden on government by quickly linking individuals with needed resources such as employment, food, housing and mental and behavioral health services. 211 is also a key resource to help in times of disaster.
Housing
We champion increased state and federal funding for programs focused on housing instability. Such policies include property tax policies that allow seniors and veterans to remain in their homes, expansion of eviction mediation programs which minimize the adverse effects of evictions, and development of safe and affordable rental units for low to moderate income households.
Helping Children Succeed
Healthy Babies
We support evidence-based programs that reduce infant mortality across the state and ensure every baby has a healthy start. By investing in initiatives with proven results, Ohio can continue to lower preventable infant deaths, strengthen families, and promote healthier communities.
Early Learning
We believe in the expansion of high-quality childcare and early learning programs, which benefit kindergarten readiness for children and provide support for Ohio’s working families. We emphasize strong standards and measurable outcomes in early education and the value of the Step up to Quality standards in early learning environments.
Cradle-to-Career Continuum
We advocate for policies and funding that support and strengthen the cradle-to career continuum, which helps ensure students are prepared, successful, and acquire the necessary skills to enter the workforce through career technical training or a post-secondary degree.
Be an Advocate For Change
Make Your Voice Heard
There are many ways to be an advocate and to educate yourself, members of the community and local, state and federal legislators. Two simple ways to become involved are ensuring you’re registered to vote and knowing who your elected officials are. Make your voice heard!
Have questions, or are you looking for more ways to advocate for your community? Email us to start the conversation.
Register to Vote
Find Your Elected Official
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Our system puts people at the center. We break down the barriers that prevent our neighbors from getting help by working in, with and for our community to build lasting solutions.