Dear Coalition for a DSP Living Wage:

With the June 30 FY20 budget deadline fast approaching, it’s critical Governor Murphy, Senate President Sweeney and Speaker Coughlin see the faces and hear the voices of the thousands of people like you across New Jersey who support raising wages for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). We are asking Coalition members to participate in a picture campaign to tell lawmakers that #WeCan’tWait for #PayFair4DirectCare -- $54 million is needed in FY2020 to secure competitive wages for DSPs.

Here’s what to do:

1). Print template: Print and sign your name to the bottom of the message. CLICK HERE for the template.

2). Take picture: Have someone take a picture of you holding the template. Take a close up, so the wording on the sign is legible.

3). Upload and post: Post the picture on your social media pages with the message below. Twitter is preferred, but Facebook will also work:

#WeCantWait for #PayFair4DirectCare – @GovMurphy @NJSenatePres @SpeakerCoughlin $54million is needed in FY20 to raise DSP wages! @NJDSPCoalition

Feel free to write your own post, but please be sure to use #PayFair4DirectCare and tag @GovMurphy @NJSenatePres @SpeakerCoughlin and the @NJDSPCoalition in your message, so that we can track and share.

4). Share with friends: Share the picture template with your colleagues, friends and family and encourage them to participate, tagging @GovMurphy @NJSenatePres @SpeakerCoughlin and using #PayFair4DirectCare. The more faces online, the stronger our message to lawmakers!

Don’t have Twitter or Facebook? No problem, you can still participate!

You can still participate if you don’t have Twitter or Facebook. Just email your picture to [email protected] or text it to 609-577-1993 and your post will be shared on the Coalition for a DSP Living Wage Twitter & Facebook pages.

June 13th Advocacy Day at the Statehouse         

Look forward to seeing many of you on Thursday, June 13 from 10:30am—12:00pm at the NJ State House to ask legislators, “Can we count on you?” We’re meeting at 10:30am in the State House Cafeteria and will be taking to the halls for the State House to take our message to #PayFair4DirectCare. If you have any questions, please email [email protected]

Thank you for your advocacy!

Sincerely,

Valerie Sellers
Chairperson of the Coalition for a DSP Living Wage