FRIDAY, JULY 19, 9:30 AM, BREAKFAST BRIEFING ON WELFARE REFORM

WITH WELFARE RECIPIENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN

OUTCOME OF THIS MONTH'S SENATE DEBATE

WILL DEEPLY IMPACT LA COUNTY

LOS ANGELES--As the national economy weakens and unemployment rises, the U.S. Senate takes up welfare reform at the end of July; Los Angeles County welfare recipients will speak about the proposed legislation and their experiences with the welfare system.

"The Senate will decide whether to support substantial additional child care funding - the outcome will deeply impact LA's children," said Veita Jones, welfare recipient and local member of ACORN. "Los Angeles County alone has more welfare recipients than any other STATE in the nation except for New York and the state of California itself."

"Will be watching the Senate debate very closely," said Bob Erlenbusch, Executive Director, LA Coalition to End Hunger and Homelessness. "It is our understanding from Los Angeles County welfare officials is that 39,000 people are scheduled to be pushed off the welfare rolls next January."

WHAT: Welfare reform is being reauthorized by

Congress this year for the first time since 1996, when

welfare was "reformed" by President Bill Clinton. The Bush

administration is expected to sign bills authorizing further cuts. The

House of Representatives passed its new welfare reform

bill in May, and the Senate will debate welfare the end of July.

Please join us for a breakfast press briefing on welfare

reform that will provide an overview of the various

welfare reform proposals and personal testimonials by

welfare recipients some with their children,

about whether or not welfare "reform"

has worked for them.

This briefing should help journalists put their

reporting on national welfare legislation into the

context of how the legislation will affect low-income

parents, particularly in the LA County area.

WHEN: Friday, July 19, 9:30 AM –11:00 AM

WHERE: ACORN at Mercado la Paloma

3655 S. Grand Avenue, 2nd floor (at 37th Street)

BREAKFAST CATERED BY: Union de Vecinos

COST: FREE

WHO: This press breakfast briefing is sponsored by

the National Campaign for Jobs and

Income Support, LA Chapter: ACORN,

Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of LA

(CHIRLA), LA Coalition to End Hunger &

Homelessness (LACEHH), Children's Defense

Fund-CA, Parents Organized for Westside

Renewal (POWER)

RSVP: We would appreciate it if you would RSVP to

Shane Goldsmith at 213 743-3940 x 42

but we also welcome drop-ins.

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