At 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, snow blanketing the still-quiet streets, about 75 volunteers had braved the weather to gather in Olympia. They planned to speak with legislators about why post-secondary basic needs should be a valued piece of the state’s budget.

Before diving into potential debates, however, volunteers heard from speakers who also champion this work. Nancy Canales, the Executive Director of the Washington Student Association, which represents students’ voices in the legislative process, addressed the volunteers.

“Each person in this room is worth about $156,000 to Washington’s economy; we are worth investing in,” said Canales. “Education is the backbone of our economy.”

Although education is a proven pathway out of poverty, many students in Washington struggle to complete educational programs because they cannot meet their basic needs for food, healthcare, childcare, and housing. Food insecurity should not jeopardize a student’s education, argues the Post Secondary Basic Needs Coalition.

United Way of King County worked with the coalition to organize Lobby Day and ensure that students’ voices reached the ears of those representing them.

Canales worked with United Way of King County’s Public Policy and Systems Change team (pictured above) to help volunteers prepare to speak with their representatives in 15-minute meetings scheduled throughout the day.

Kiara Daniels, the Deputy Mayor of Tacoma, helped lead the morning’s advocacy training (pictured below).

Over the next seven hours, groups made their way to the Capitol building where they met with the legislators who represented their districts. One volunteer, Scott Meden, spoke to Rep. Julia Reed specifically about the value of funding FTEs on college campuses that can help students access food pantries and funding opportunities.

“It was inspiring to see people come together, despite distance or weather or inconvenience, to advocate for a future where more students graduate and break cycles of poverty right here in our state,” said Elsa Young, one of the volunteers.

For more information regarding United Way of King County’s work to increase access to education and college completion, check out our webpage.