Impact Hub
Individuals Mobilizing for Policy, Advocacy, and Community Transformation
Join Us to Create Change!
Welcome to ECNV’s Impact Hub—a place built for you to step into advocacy with clarity and confidence. We know it can feel overwhelming to figure out where to start, but you’re not alone. Too often, decisions about our lives and the services we rely on are made without us in the room. Advocacy is how we change that—by making sure our perspectives are included, our stories are shared, and our experiences help shape the outcome.
Here in the Impact Hub, you’ll find clear tools and resources to guide your journey: the latest news and action alerts, explanations of different types of advocacy, opportunities to serve on local boards and commissions, a lookup tool to connect with your elected officials, and easy-to-follow guides to help you speak up effectively. This is your space to get involved, make your perspective count, and create real change for yourself and your community.
Things to learn:
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Advocacy
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Local Boards & Commissions
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Who Are My Elected Officials?
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Advocacy Guides
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Other Helpful Resources
Recent News
Advocacy Update: Federal Government Shutdown
Update on SNAP Benefits and Virginia’s Response
ECNV’s Laura Kim Featured on National Landing: Advancing Disability Employment Awareness
Browse our archive of Action Alerts and newsletters for updates on advocacy, policy, and organizational news. ECNV’s Be in the Know series highlights key developments and programs in our region and beyond. Find the latest edition and past issues in our newsletter archive page.
Sign Up for ECNV’s Newsletters
You can find the form to sign up today for news and updates on our Home Page.
Interested in Policy Updates? Join the IMPACT email list!
Sign up to join our community of advocates for our Action Alert email list to get time-sensitive policy updates and opportunities to act right away, so you won’t miss the chance to take action when it matters most. Email Laura Kim, Policy & Advocacy Coordinator at LauraK@ecnv.org to be added.
Webinar Series
The Power of Advocacy: Building Skills to Create change
The Power of Advocacy is a multi-part webinar series designed to help you build confidence and practical skills to create positive change in your community. Through interactive sessions, you’ll learn how to share your story, connect with decision-makers, and use a range of advocacy tools—from individual action to shaping public policy. The series will conclude with an opportunity to put these skills into action during our advocacy trip to Richmond in January.
Register today! One brief registration signs you up for the entire advocacy series.
Review ECNV Calendar for dates.
Webinar Series:
Webinar 1
Date: Thursday, September 25, 2025
Title: The Power of Advocacy 101: Creating Real Impact
Description:
This webinar introduces the fundamentals of advocacy—what it is, why it matters, and how you can make an impact. We’ll explore advocacy in everyday life as well as its power to drive systemic change. Participants will also learn how advocacy creates pathways for change at the personal, community, and policy levels.
Webinar 2
Date: Thursday, November 6, 2025 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Title: The Power of Advocacy 102: Tools and Tactics for Amplifying Your Voice
Description:
You’ve learned the basics—now it’s time to turn advocacy into action. This interactive session will dive into practical tools and tactics to help you make real impact: from meeting with legislators and writing compelling messages to leveraging social media and mobilizing your community. You’ll also discover how collaboration and storytelling can multiply your influence, and learn about the Pitchfork Approach— a powerful framework for using multiple strategies together to amplify your advocacy and drive change.
Webinar 3
Date: Monday, November 17, 2025 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Title: The Power of Advocacy 103: Turning Experience into Impact
Description:
Advocacy doesn’t happen in isolation. In fact, it is most powerful when it’s personal. This session explores how to turn lived experience into meaningful impact through storytelling. Participants will learn how to identify the key elements of an effective advocacy story, shape personal experiences into compelling messages for different audiences, and build trust and connection through authentic communication. We’ll also discuss how storytelling strengthens relationships with decision-makers, allies, and the broader disability community—demonstrating how, by coming together, we can go further.
In this session, we’ll be joined by two outstanding guest speakers, Jennifer Marshall and Lucy Beadnell, who will share their expertise and insights on how storytelling can create real change.
Guest Speakers:
Jennifer Marshall: With over a decade of experience in mental health advocacy and nonprofit leadership, Jennifer is passionate about creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered. She co-founded and led This Is My Brave and now serves as Executive Director of Wellness Loudoun.
Lucy Beadnell: As Director of Advocacy at The Arc of Northern Virginia, Lucy leads efforts to advance disability rights, inclusion, and accessibility. She works with individuals, families, and policymakers to strengthen advocacy networks and ensure people with disabilities have a voice in shaping the systems that impact their lives.
Webinar 4
Date: Thursday, December 18, 2025 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Title: The Power of Advocacy 104: From Learning to Leading in Legislative Advocacy
Description:
Get ready to bring your advocacy to the next level. We will be joined by Richard Cerros, Community Relations Coordinator at the district office of Congressman Don Beyer. This session will walk you through what to expect when meeting with lawmakers and their staff, how to share your story in a compelling and memorable way, and practical strategies to stay organized and confident. Legislative advocacy is an important part of systems change. Your relationships with elected officials and their staff could be the key to passing a new law that could benefit disabled people, or preventing a law that could harm us.
Webinar 5
Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Title: The Power of Advocacy 105: Preparing for IL Day!
Description:
You’ve built your advocacy skills—now it’s time to put them into action at the State Capitol! This session will help you prepare for IL Day by walking through what to expect when meeting with legislators in person and how to make the most of your time at the Capitol. We’ll also cover important logistics, including where to meet, how to plan your day, and practical tips for staying comfortable and organized—like packing medications, assistive devices, and other essentials. Join us to feel fully prepared and confident for a successful day of advocacy at Richmond!