West Virginia Moms Launch National Campaign to Save the Child Tax Credit
With the last of the enhanced Child Tax Credits disbursed, West Virginian moms bring 500 teddy bears to the US Capitol, calling on lawmakers to reinstate CTC for children—those most impacted by the policy.
WASHINGTON, DC – On Wednesday, February 2, a grassroots movement of West Virginia moms, in an effort to save the expanded Child Tax Credit, traveled to the US Capitol and brought with them over 500 “loved on” teddy bears to demonstrate that life for families is unbearable without the CTC. These self proclaimed “WV Mama Bears” have started the Unbearable Campaign to call on U.S. lawmakers to take action and make the enhanced Child Tax Credit (CTC) permanent.
Each teddy bear represents 100 West Virginia children who, without the CTC, are being pushed back into poverty, totaling 50,000 kids. The WV Mama Bears’ Unbearable Campaign is supported by a coalition of West Virginia child advocates who have been championing the critical importance of the CTC for helping families afford basic needs and after school care.
“We should not have to stand here at our Nation’s capital and expose our children and our families weaknesses and vulnerabilities in order to prove that our children are worth an investment.” said West Virginian Mom, Amy Jo Hutchison, one organizer of the #Unbearable event. “Their stories are just a few among so many. In West Virginia alone, 50,000 children have been pushed back into poverty since the enhanced CTC expired in December.”
“I’m going to Washington D.C. to turn my pain into power,” said Stormy Johnson, West Virginian Mom, “Our voices have been ignored until now, and it’s not acceptable for our elected representatives to ignore us, and our children.”
“The Child Tax Credit has had an incredible impact on low income families in our state - including mine.” said Meghan Hullinger, West Virginian Mom, “My children are part of the 93% of children in West Virginia who qualify for the CTC.”
Press Photos of Launch Event: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/uhc1iwjhy7f4v7b/AACmFFanprb9tCr1iSXqWtRea?dl=0
Facebook Live: https://facebook.com/teamforWestVirginiaChildren/
Through this campaign, West Virginia mothers seek to spark a nationwide movement of action and solidarity to prioritize children and to make life more bearable for children and families.
