This week, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams and her staff joined the residents of the  Hidden Valley, Bridlewood, and Holiday Hills Alexander Place neighborhoods for this year's National Night Out on August 6th. The events promote stronger collaboration between neighborhoods and local law enforcement and reinforce the importance of keeping communities safe for all residents.  

She also joined FICO to welcome participants of a financial literacy workshop for school-aged children and their parents at the Camino Center in North Charlotte. The program was held in partnership with the London-based Chelsea FC which was in town to play Charlotte's national soccer team. Attendees were treated to the soccer game after the workshop. 

A WIN FOR FARMERS!

This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced changes to the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Farm Loan Programs that will increase opportunities for farmers and ranchers to be financially viable.

The new rule, which takes effect on September 25, 2024, mirrors the goals of Congresswoman Adams' Fair Credit for Farmers Act that was introduced last August. The USDA improvements are part of the Enhancing Program Access and Delivery for Farm Loans rule, and demonstrate the agency's commitment to improving farm profitability through farm loans designed to provide important financing options used by producers to cover operating expenses and purchase land and equipment.  

Congresswoman joined Praise 100.9 host Ron Holland on his  Community Voices broadcast to discuss the recent passage of her Stillbirth Prevention Bill and her work in Congress to increase protections for expectant mothers.

She also joined WFAE 90.7 host Mike Collins on his Charlotte Talks broadcast to share her thoughts on the current Congress, her efforts to secure ongoing funding for Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs), and how she applies a bipartisan approach to gain support for her legislation.  

Today is the last day for our incredible summer interns. Before they leave, we would like to introduce you to Grace Williams, a junior at Duke University from Springfield, Arkansas. Grace is majoring in public policy with a minor in African and African American studies on the pre-law track.

A practicing artist and advocate for diversity in art and education spaces, she aims to pursue a career in public service to enhance opportunities for historically underrepresented groups in education and the visual arts. She plans to leverage her bachelor’s degree and JD to advocate for civil rights issues and immigrants in the courtroom and in her future roles in community organization.

Thank you all of our 2024 summer interns for an outstanding experience!

You are cordially invited to join the Winston-Salem Regional Office of the Department of Veterans Affairs and Mecklenburg County Veterans Services for their largest outreach event in the Charlotte, NC area.

Location:     
Friendship Missionary Baptist Church 
3400 Beatties Ford Road 
Charlotte, NC 28216

Date and Time:
Thursday, August 22, 2024      9 a.m. – 3 p.m. 
Friday, August 23, 2024           9 a.m. – 3 p.m. 
Saturday, August 24, 2024        9 a.m. – 2 p.m. 

Claims processors from the Winston-Salem Regional Office along with Veterans Service Officers will be onsite to help Veterans and their family members file claims, provide updates on pending claims, and answer questions related to your earned benefits.

The Salisbury VA Health Care System will assist with health care enrollment, conduct toxic exposure screenings, assist with mental health and suicide prevention, and answer questions related to Veterans health caregiver benefits.

Other services include:
•    Classroom sessions on VA benefits and services held every hour
•    Veteran Readiness and Employment benefits, VA Life Insurance, Home Loan, and Education information
•    VA Hiring Booth - Bring your resume and learn more about a career with VA
•    Mental health counseling resources offered by the VA Mobile Vet Center
•    Homeless, low-income housing, social, and vocational support services
•    Vendors and services from community partners and much more
•    Lunch will be provided for all attendees free of charge

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Pre-registration is encouraged but not required.

While Congress is out for the August District Work period, I have had the opportunity to speak with many of you as I travel throughout the 12th district. While I could not accept every invitation, I look forward to seeing you at upcoming events in the weeks ahead or hearing from you through our contact page on my website.

Today marks the anniversary of the signing of the PACT Act, which provides compensation to Veterans who were exposed to dangerous toxins during their tours of duty. If you served in our armed forces and may have been impacted, you could qualify for life-changing benefits. Please be sure to read the information we provided above. 

Additionally, there are 110,831 Social Security beneficiaries in North Carolina's 12th Congressional District. 89 years after FDR signed the Social Security Act into law, it’s time for us to enhance the benefits offered and extend the program’s solvency for the Americans who rely on their earned benefits. I remain committed to pursuing this in the 118th Congress. 

Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for immediate updates throughout the week and to see some of my other activity over the past two weeks. 

That's where I will lay my hat this week. 

God Bless,