Whats Up WofA – Week of 06.29.2025
Note: These emails are sent weekly and include timely information and links, which may expire over time.
Tuesday, July 1st
Camp WofA – Summer Camp Kick Off Happy Hour 5:30 (Virtual)
Grab a cold beverage and jump on the call to see what WOFA has planned all summer long and how you can participate in our Bridge Brigades, Protests, John Lewis Day, and Postcards! Zoom HERE
Tuesday, July 1st – October 7th (Ongoing)
Voter Registration Drive Training
https://www.elections.virginia.gov/registration/registration-drives
Saturday, July 5th 10:00am – 12:00pm
Postcards in the Parlor with WofA!
We’ll be meeting in the White Parlor at Clarendon Presbyterian Church on Saturday 10am-12pm, to write postcards. We’ll be writing postcards for Nicole Cole, who’s running in District 66, Spotsylvania & Caroline Counties. It’s BYO beverage & perhaps something to share
Thursday, July 10th 1:00pm (ET) 4:00pm (PT)
The Joy of Talking Politics with Strangers – Workshop I
The first minute of a conversation: how to keep a voter engaged and answer easy informational questionsDo you want to have more satisfying, effective conversations with voters while phone banking, canvassing, or visiting the grocery store? This series of interactive, one-hour workshops will help you build your toolkit and strengthen your sense of community. It will be led by Elizabeth Chur, author of The Joy of Talking Politics with Strangers, in collaboration with Commit to Democracy trainer Carol Blaney (additional workshops below) RSVP Here
Thursday, July 10th, 7:00pm
Emergency Federal Budget Briefing: The Impact of the Republican House Budget Resolution on Virginia
The Republicans are trying to use the budget process to radically restructure our government. This briefing will describe the Republican plans for taxes, Medicaid, education, nutrition, and the Federal workforce. It will provide the information you need to explain the impact of Republican budget proposals as you campaign and have conversations with friends and neighbors.
Thursday, July 17th 7:30am – 9:00am and 4:30pm – 6:00pm
WofA Celebrates John Lewis with some Good Trouble at Arlington Metro Stations!
Let’s honor John Lewis by getting into some Good Trouble at Arlington metro stations! Our goal is to make people aware that Virginia has very important elections in November and that if already registered, to check their current registration or to register now. Currently, we plan on being present at Rosslyn, Courthouse, Clarendon, Virginia Square and Ballston metro stations and will expand our reach as needed We will have Voter Registration Posters and cards with QR codes that bring the person to VA department of elections
Additionally, there will be some WofA activists registering voters on site. If you would like to do this, please see certification at: Voter Reg Certification. You will be responsible for materials and submission of completed forms.
Disregard the “address” shown on the mobilize RSVP – once signed up, you will be assigned to a specific metro with address (apologies, for any confusion – our Indivisible Mobilize link has made it difficult to update and make changes and we need to provide an address – thus the Ballston Metro address)
We will be contacting you within a week or so – once we have a better gauge on RSVPs and which metros need coverage RSVP Here to Get in Some Good Trouble at Arlington Metro Stations
Thursday, July 17th (Morning and Evening Shifts)
Let’s Make Some Good Trouble with WofA’s Bridge Brigade!
Join WofA on Thursday, July 17th as we honor the late, great John Lewis by taking to the bridges and making some Good Trouble! Sign up for a morning shift or evening shift! After signing up, our fabulous Bridge Captains will reach out a few days before with everything you need to know. Let’s show up loud, proud, and ready to inspire – just like Congressman Lewis would have wanted.
Morning Shift 7:00 AM – 8:30 AM
Ohio St. Bridge (details upon RSVP) RSVP Here
Evening Shift 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Potomac St. Bridge (details upon RSVP) RSVP Here
Thursday, July 17th 1:00pm (ET) 4:00pm (PT)
The Joy of Talking Politics with Strangers – Workshop II
How to Connect With the 34% of Eligible Voters Who Say “I Don’t Vote”
Friday, July 18th, 12:00pm
Power Lunch
Monday, July 21st 6:45 – 7:45
WofA Membership Meeting – Zoom
WofA & Friends welcome you to our summer meeting. This is an informal Zoom call to discuss the activities we have planned for the summer and how you can get involved! We will discuss the WOFA Visibility Brigade, Postcards, our Power Pack of candidates we are supporting, protests, and GOTV! We will have a special guest, Reid McCollum, the genius behind Hands Across Chigagoland and Program Outreach Director of the Progressive Turnout Project.
Sunday, July 27th 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Kimberly Pope-Adams in Arlington – Hosted by Black Caucuses of NoVA
Join Kimberly Pope Adams in Arlington as she builds her campaign to flip Virginia’s 82nd district Back to Blue. Show your support of her 2025 rematch to unseat the Republican incumbent. RSVP/Info
Thursday, July 31st 1:00pm (ET) 4:00pm (PT)
The Joy of Talking Politics with Strangers – Workshop III
How To Have Respectful, Productive Conversations With Voters Whose Party or Perspectives May Differ From Yours. RSVP Here
Saturday, August 2nd – North Arlington 7:00pm – 11:00pm
WofA 80’sDance Party – “Don’t Stop Believin”
Put on your legwarmers and tie up those side ponies! Let’s show we’re not just “Livin’ on a Prayer”, we are …of Action! You are invited to an evening of joy, connection, and 80s dancing at a beautiful setting in North Arlington. This is a dance protest – we may enjoy 80s dancing, but we are NOT going back! Expect music, laughter, delicious dinner bites and a fully stocked bar.
Save the Date!
Monday, September 8th 6:45pm – 7:45pm
WofA Membership Meeting – In Person!
Details to follow….
Clarendon Presbyterian Church, 1305 N Jackson St, Arlington.
The meeting will take place in “The Sanctuary” (main/upper level) – enter through the rainbow ramp door off of the parking lot. Clarendon Metro (.3 miles – 7 minute walk). You can park in the lot (GPS address next door to 1308 North Irving Street Arlington VA 22201) or on the street
October 3rd – 5th in Virginia Beach
Weekend of Action with COVA
Save the Date!
LAWS GOING INTO EFFECT JULY 1st
You can read through a more detailed list from the Division of Legislative Services here.
Reproductive and Sexual Health Data Protected: Companies can now be held accountable if they sell or share Virginians’ reproductive or sexual health data, including data contained on period-tracking and fertility apps. This protection will ensure that individuals’ very personal data will be kept private, and consumers will be granted the right to sue if companies do not honor this obligation.
Addressing the Nursing Shortage: A group of stakeholders, including the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), will create a common nursing curriculum so students enrolled in licensed practical nurse (LPN) programs at a community college can automatically transfer credits for completed course work into associate registered nurse (RN) degree programs. Through a common curriculum, the Commonwealth will shorten degree time and get more nurses in the workforce sooner.
Federal Benefits for Foster Youth: Youth in foster care aged 12 and over are now required to be notified of the federal benefits, such as Social Security and Disability Income or veteran family benefits, for which they may be eligible. This disclosure requirement is an important step towards ensuring that federal payments are retained in a trust fund for the eligible foster youth and not used to offset the state-required monthly maintenance payments to foster families.
Mobile Health Clinics: The Department of Housing and Community Development will include broadband access services for mobile health clinics as a priority in the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program. Mobile clinics often have difficulties operating in remote areas where their services are most needed because of challenges connecting to broadband.
Mental Health in Schools: The Department of Education is going to evaluate mental health services in schools through surveying local educational agencies (LEAs). This will also improve LEAs’ ability to connect students and families with resources in their community. We must prioritize mental health services in schools to ensure that all students have access to mental health services, regardless of their zip code.
Mail Theft as a Felony: This new law makes it a class 6 felony to intentionally take, damage, hide or obtain someone’s mail through fraud. It also covers destruction of mail boxes and the theft/use of mail keys, strengthening protection against identity theft, fraud, and privacy violations.
Addressing the Fentanyl Crisis: Individuals who knowingly make, sell, or distribute a drug containing fentanyl that unintentionally causes someone’s death will now be eligible to be charged with involuntary manslaughter. If the individual distributing shared the drug without intending to profit or cause harm they could potentially face a class 6 felony, a lesser charge.
Removing Financial Barriers from Early Detection: Health insurance companies will now be prohibited from charging cost-sharing fees for important follow-up tests like diagnostic mammograms, breast MRIs, and ultrasounds. It is important to note that while this law goes into effect on July 1, insurance coverage will begin on and after January 1, 2026.
No Fees for Documents for Homeless Youth: When a homeless youth seeks to access copies of vital records, such as a birth certificate, learner’s permit, driver’s license, special identification card, or identification privilege card or permit, there will now be no charge. These documents are critical to obtain housing, education, and employment for vulnerable young people.
Seatbelts for Everyone: All adult passengers in a moving vehicle on public highways in Virginia will now be required to wear a seatbelt in every seat of the car. Previously, this law only applied to passengers in the front seat, but this new law will help keep everyone safer on the road.
ONGOING
Tuesday, July 1st – October 7th
Voter Registration Drive Training – VA Department of Elections
https://www.elections.virginia.gov/registration/registration-drives
Join WofA’s Visibility Brigade – Wednesdays and Sundays
Join the Rush Hour Resistance! Come join us WEDs 5:00-6:30 and SUNs 5:00-6:30 on an overpass near you to assemble oversized “scrabble” letters made of foam board to create inspiring messages for the passing motorists below. Visibility Brigades is part of a nationwide movement to show everyday people that they are not alone in these unprecedented times. Please email Maria to join the fun at [email protected]
Tesla Tuesday! Arlington, VA
Tuesdays 4:00pm – 6:00pm 2710 S Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA
What’s the Plan – Indivisible – Thursdays 3:00pm
Join Indivisible co-founders Leah Greenberg and Ezra Levin each week, as we carve out an hour to discuss what’s happening and – more importantly – what’s the plan. RSVP HERE
Lobby Days with Senator Warner’s Office (Monthly Zoom)
RSVP HERE
ELECTIONS SECTION
All Things Virginia Elections: From Primaries thru November 4th Election!
Virginia Deadlines, Voter Registration and Updating; In Person Early Voting; and more can be found HERE
Follow WofA’s Power Pack – find more about these candidates and their districts HERE
Canvass for Abigail Spanberger, Stacey Carroll and Josh Cole in Fredericksburg
Canvass for Delegate Josh Cole and Abigail Spanberger
PROTESTS, RALLIES, EVENTS and MORE
Spreadsheet of Current and Future Local Actions
Indivisible’s website has specific messages for you to communicate with your Senators and Representatives offices, and includes scripts and a form that will automatically connect your phone with their offices.
CALLS TO ACTION
Wednesdays in July and August
One Million Rising — Learn how to lead in this moment! A national effort to train one million people to help lead in this moment and gain the skills to lead others. This is how we build people power that can’t be ignored. You’re invited to join us – and lead. More info and Sign Up Here
Wednesdays/Thursdays in June
Indivisible Calls Every Wednesday and Thursday in June, join Indivisible for a phonebank where we’ll be calling voters and connecting them directly to their Senator. Together, we’ll urge Republicans to oppose the Trump Tax Scam—a reckless GOP tax plan that prioritizes billionaires like Elon Musk while selling out working families. Join HERE
Choose your Action at: 5Calls.org
OTHER
Immigration
Federal Workers and Contractors
We recognize the importance of supporting federal workers who are essential to our democracy. Learn how to stand up for the rights of federal employees, access resources for advocacy, and find out how you can get involved in the fight against harmful policies impacting this vital workforce.
Federal Workers
National WhistleBlower Center – Know Your Rights
Apply for UCFE (Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees)
Partnership for Public Service
TRUSTED NEWS SOURCES
The Grassroots Connector (substack)
