During this 2022 Holiday Season, SALT wishes to thank all advocates and legislators that have been in solidarity with the impoverished, oppressed, and those suffering from human cruelty, especially our brothers and sister in Ukraine. We encourage all working for justice to take to heart the ancient message of the Prophet Isaiah: "...(L)earn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow" (Isaiah 1.17).

Also, not to be forgotten are members of the press that have shined a light on and documented the cruelty suffered by many of the incarcerated in Virginia prisons. SALT is most grateful for their work. 

The work of justice and mercy continues, so we ask that you keep in mind the people of Ukraine, especially the children.

• An estimated 6.6 million people are displaced within Ukraine, having fled their towns to safer cities. More than half of Ukraine’s children have been displaced and more than 6,300 civilian deaths have been reported. This displacement crisis is the fastest exodus in Europe since World War II. To read more about the work Caritas and Catholic Relief Services are doing in Ukraine, click here. You can also support their work by clicking on Help Ukrainian Families.

• In addition, we also can help families and children here in our own country. In 2021, the American Rescue Plan included a provision that expanded the Child Tax Credit and made the full credit available to families with the lowest incomes for the first time in its history. As a result, child poverty fell by 46% in 2021, with Black and Hispanic child poverty falling by 6.3 percentage points in each community, impacting 716,000 Black children and 1.2 million Hispanic children.

• Whatever gains were made during the expansion in 2021 have since eroded. Renewing the expanded monthly Child Tax Credit is not only the morally right thing to do, but it’s politically popular. 85% of parents with babies and toddlers want Congress to take swift action in passing the expanded Child Tax Credit. 94% of Democrats and 77% of Republicans believe passing the expanded Child Tax Credit is a legislative priority.

• To support the expanded Child Tax Credit, you can send a letter to those that represent you in Congress by clicking here.

In 2023, may we continue working to advance the public good and for a more compassionate Virginia, so all may flourish!

For some Holiday music that will lift your spirits, click on Ode to Joy -- Beethoven Symphony No.9 (be sure to click on "skip ads" in the lower right corner of the video).