John began working with a Duman Opportunity Center employment specialist to help him get a full-time warehouse position. While John has experience working in a warehouse, he is unable to read and write, which limits his ability to perform most tasks in a work setting.

John worked with his employment specialist to determine how he would explain his disability and what tools and accommodations he needed to be successful on the job. After several months and over 15 interviews, John secured a full-time warehouse position, but he needed to pass a written test.

John’s employment specialist worked with the employer to provide him with accommodations to take the test – he passed the test and is now working.

Without his employment specialist’s consistent support, John would not have had the resources he needed to help him get the job he wanted. If federal funding for these services is reduced, people like John would have a significantly harder time getting a job.

The Duman Opportunity Center’s Business Services Representatives (BSRs) have developed outstanding relationships with employers throughout the Chicagoland area. One partner, Lettuce Entertain You (LEYE), has been a wonderful partner to JCFS Chicago and the Duman Opportunity Center for several years.

LEYE has employed many of Duman clients, including Steve, who was hired for a customized role in one of its restaurants. Steve was looking for a janitorial position but needed a shorter shift and clearly defined tasks that were consistent. Our partners at LEYE worked with our BSRs to create a position for Steve based on his unique skills and interests.

Without the essential funding for our BSRs, finding employment opportunities for people like Steve would be challenging.

Shoshana is an 11-year-old with social anxiety who receives weekly counseling at school through Title 1 services (Dept of Education). She comes from a large family where both her parents work and there is significant financial stress, making it challenging to consistently take her to an office for therapy after school.

Receiving school counseling through these funds allows Shoshana to conveniently access support for her mental health needs within her school environment and enables her to be available for learning. However, she is at risk of losing this vital support - both through possible changes to education and support funding, as well as from potential cuts to Medicaid, as she and her siblings are currently covered by it.  

Diane and Richard are foster parents to two siblings who had been removed from their biological parents’ care. The couple is in the process of adopting the children, ages 2 and 3, who currently receive individual therapy and family therapy funded by the children’s Medicaid insurance coverage.

This essential therapy plays a crucial role in helping the children recover from trauma and in strengthening their relationships with their foster parents. Therapy has made a tremendous difference in their behavior at home and their ability to find security in their lives after their early years of neglect. 

This significant progress would be interrupted or even halted if federal funding for their therapy is decreased or cut entirely.

Medicaid insurance makes it possible for 15-year-old Steve to receive therapy services he depends on for his mental health well-being. He regularly speaks with his counselor about his concerns related to his identity, as well as his feelings of not being supported by his family.

Steve walks to his therapy office after school and independently engages in services because his parents don’t value the importance of his expressed need for mental health support. His therapist has provided him with resources for crisis support and they regularly engage in safety planning and building Steve’s support network at school.

Steve has shared with his therapist that their continued relationship is what is “keeping him going” in life. His overall mental health would be greatly affected if his Medicaid coverage were to be eliminated or even reduced.

Phone Script for funding human services:

Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I’m calling to urge [Legislator’s Name] to take action against recent executive orders that reduce federal funding for critical human services that threaten the well-being of the communities that JCFS Chicago serves.

The loss of funding puts essential programs at risk, including support for people with disabilities and their families, special education, refugees and immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community, and many others who rely on these services. Without adequate federal support, these programs will face significant challenges, leaving people without the resources they need and placing strain on service providers like JCFS Chicago.

I am asking [your Legislator’s Name] to advocate for the reversal of these harmful executive orders and to champion policies that protect funding for essential social services. I hope I can count on your support to oppose these funding cuts.

Thank you for your time and for considering the impact this will have on the Chicago community. I appreciate your leadership and look forward to hearing from your staff soon. Here is my contact information:

Calling about Medicaid

Hands Off Medicaid Hotline: 866.426.2631

You will be asked to enter your ZIP code, press #, and then you will be connected to your Representative’s office.

Phone Script:

Hello, my name is [Your Name] and I live in [Town/City].

I’m calling because I’m a constituent and I’m deeply concerned about potential cuts to Medicaid and the impact that will have on essential programs like support for people with disabilities and their families, mental health services, early intervention for families with young children and many others.

In Illinois, Medicaid helps 3.4 million people—including children, seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families—access the care they need.

Please vote NO on Medicaid cuts to protect your constituents. I will be following up on this call. I can be reached at [Phone Number].

Medicaid is important to me because… [add your own example]

I urge [your Legislator’s Name] to commit to voting NO on cuts to Medicaid and other essential health programs.

Phone Script for funding Refugee Services:

Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I’m calling to urge [Legislator’s Name] to take action against the recent stop work order that halted reimbursement for vital refugee resettlement services. This decision directly impacts adults and children who are already lawfully in the U.S., cutting off essential support they need to successfully integrate into our community.

These funding cuts severely impact the critical services JCFS Chicago provides during a refugee’s first 90 days in the country. Without federal support, they cannot continue to help children enroll in school, connect people to employment opportunities, or assist with acculturation. This decision threatens the well-being of both the refugee and the wider Chicago community.

I urge [your Legislator’s Name] to advocate for the reversal of these harmful funding cuts and champion policies that protect refugee resettlement services. I hope I can count on your support to oppose these funding cuts.

Thank you for your time and for considering the impact this will have on vulnerable newcomers in our community. I appreciate your leadership and look forward to hearing from your staff soon. Here is my contact information:
 

Email template about funding for human services:

Dear [enter your Legislator’s Name],

I am reaching out to urge you to take action against recent executive orders that reduce federal funding for the critical human services and the well-being of the communities JCFS Chicago serves. These funding cuts threaten the essential support for people with disabilities and their families, special education, refugees and immigrants, support for the LGBTQ+ community, and other vital programs.

I am deeply concerned about the impact these mandates will have on the Chicago community. Without adequate federal support, many of these critical programs face significant challenges—leaving countless individuals without access to the services they rely on and placing strain on service providers like JCFS Chicago.

I am advocating for the reversal of these harmful executive orders and asking you to champion policies that protect funding for social services.

Thank you for taking this into consideration. I look forward to hearing from your staff soon.

Email template specifically about Medicaid

Go to this link: citizenaction-il.org/medicaid

Fill out your info in the “TAKE ACTION” box on the right side, then click “START WRITING.”

Select your prefix (Mr., Ms., etc.) from the drop-down menu and choose "Medicare and Medicaid" under Letter Topics (if applicable)

Your letter is ready to go!

• The subject and message are already filled in.
• You can send it as is or add a personal story if you’d like.

Click the red “SEND LETTER” button to submit!

That’s it! Your letter is sent. Thank you for taking action!

Email template specifically about refugee services:

I am reaching out to urge you to take action against the recent stop work order that halted reimbursement for vital refugee resettlement services, affecting adults and children already lawfully in the U.S. These funding cuts threaten the essential support JCFS Chicago provides for newcomers in their first 90 days in the country, leaving countless individuals without access to the services they rely on.

I am deeply concerned about the impact these mandates will have on the refugee and wider Chicago community. Without adequate federal support, JCFS Chicago can’t continue to help enroll children in school, link people to employment and assist with acculturation.

I am advocating for the reversal of these harmful executive orders and asking you to champion policies that protect funding for social services.

Thank you for taking this into consideration. I look forward to hearing from your staff soon.