John,

People incarcerated are fighting for their lives. A generation of kids faces a broadband gap that could set them behind for life. And millions face eviction, utility shutoffs, or the risk of contracting a deadly virus just by taking the bus to work. 

Right now, leaders in Washington are stuck in tense negotiations over the next round of recovery stimulus. We need to push for a recovery bill that delivers real help to our communities — from safe, green transit, to broadband for all and urgent assistance for people who are currently and formerly incarcerated. Unfortunately, there are worrying reports that current proposals fall significantly short.  

Negotiations are moving fast, and every day counts. We are uniting state and local groups with media and influencer partners to make sure Congressional leadership knows what they should prioritize. Can you help by sending a message to your senators and representative right now?

Tell Congress: We need a COVID-19 stimulus that meets the needs of Black, Brown, and low-income communities.

Disadvantaged communities are suffering disproportionately from the pandemic and the economic fallout. Here's what we need out of a new federal package to make sure America emerges from this pandemic better than before:

• People in overcrowded prisons and jails are fighting for their lives, their loved ones are worried sick, and those formerly imprisoned can't get loans to keep their businesses afloat because of their past. So we need real help for people currently and formerly incarcerated and their families. Help means access to PPP loans, grants to help safely release those most at-risk, and increased testing and treatment for people who remain incarcerated during the pandemic.

• People everywhere are worried about how they'll get to work with transit cuts and fearful of getting sick if they do use the bus or train. Most of all, they are worried about keeping a roof over their heads. So we need safe, green transit and a moratorium on evictions and utility shutoffs. Only then, can people live and work safely and securely without facing hardship or the risk of contracting COVID-19.

• Millions in at-risk populations are struggling in a suddenly virtual-first economy without adequate access to devices or high-speed internet. So we need funding and new policies to expand access to broadband internet, reduce disparities, and ensure we're not permanently locking people out of the high-tech economy of the future.

Some of these are already priorities for Congressional leadership — but help for people impacted by our broken criminal justice system appears to be far too low on the list. Congressional leaders check in with their membership to get a sense of priorities during negotiations like these. The key to influencing the final bill is making as much noise as possible as early as possible. Can you help?

Tell Congress: We need a COVID-19 stimulus that meets the needs of Black, Brown, and low-income communities.

Our three programs — Dream Corps #cut50, Dream Corps Green For All, and Dream Corps TECH — are united in closing prison doors and opening doors of opportunity. Dream Corps is connecting people with big dreams and clear solutions to create real change. We are promoting federal legislation, pushing for state and local reforms, and forging corporate partnerships to diversify the tech sectors.

Thank you for standing with us,
— the Dream Corps team