I hope all of our Alabama readers are aware of the hard work done by Alabama Arise, a Montgomery-based organization, over the past several years. Now that the legislative session is over and summer is settling in, I would encourage our Alabama readers to support Arise. This group works extremely hard to protect the interests of the “poor” in Alabama and they try to make Alabama a better place for all Alabamians. The folks at Arise are smart, dedicated, hard-working and passionate about their work and the folks they work for.

The annual meeting of Arise will take place on Sept. 15th in Montgomery. Now is a great time for folks to join Arise. Arise members are integral to the work they do. Arise relies on members to be informed on the issues, spread the word to their community, and help advocate for needed legislation. Arise has to rely on members to inform them on needs in our state and which policy issues most need to be addressed. Arise needs your help if they are to make significant policy change in Alabama.

By becoming an Arise member, you not only support the work that they do, but you become part of the Arise process. Newsletters and fact sheets are available to help members stay informed and up to date. Members also help select issue priorities at Arise’s annual meeting. You can become a new member for only $15, and if you join before June 30th, you can participate in the annual meeting.

Arise has a “sister” organization, Arise Citizens’ Policy Project, (ACPP), which was founded in 1994. It’s a statewide nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition of 150 congregations and community groups and some 1,400 individuals united in their belief that low-income people are suffering because of state policy decisions. Go to www.arisecitizen.org for more information or you can call them at (334) 832-9060