Stories of Families Hurt by Unemployment Benefits Expiration to be Shared at “Voices” Events

As the number of people cut off from emergency unemployment benefits approaches 3 million Americans, the Center for Effective Government and our partners the Coalition on Human Needs (CHN), the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC), and the National Employment Law Project (NELP) are launching a new push for extending unemployment benefits to hard-working Americans who are facing a still-rough jobs market. In the past, both Republicans and Democrats have helped the unemployed get back on their feet. It's time for us to come together again and support our friends and neighbors.

On seven Wednesdays this summer, members of Congress, as well as leaders from labor, the faith community, the nonprofit sector, and the small business community, will gather near the Capitol Building in Washington, DC to read aloud the stories of the unemployed. The series, Witness Wednesdays: Voices of the Unemployed, will highlight some of the nearly 2,000 stories submitted by readers of this blog and will demand an extension of unemployment insurance.

The events will be held at the House Triangle on the following dates:

  • Wednesday, June 11
  • Wednesday, June 18
  • Wednesday, June 25
  • Wednesday, July 9
  • Wednesday, July 16
  • Wednesday, July 23
  • Wednesday, July 30

We will be live-streaming the first event on June 11. Check back next Tuesday for further details on the Witness Wednesdays launch and the link for the live-stream coverage.

For more information on the event series or to share your story, please click on the image below or visit www.witnesswednesdays.org.

For Further Reading

Stories of Americans Cut Off of Emergency Unemployment CompensationGovernment Matters, April 22, 2014

Emergency Unemployment Extension Expected to Take Back Seat to Tax ExtendersThe Fine Printblog, April 25, 2014

Technically Speaking: Making Sense of Discharge Petitions, Cloture and FilibustersThe Fine Print blog, May 5, 2014

Unemployed Americans Kicked Out of Capitol, Forced to Share Their Stories OutsideThe Fine Printblog, May 10, 2014

Six Months after Emergency Unemployment Benefits Expired, 2.8 Million Americans Left BehindThe Fine Print blog, May 21, 2014

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Thank you Ms. Schieder!
Thank you Jessica and CFEG for your continued support! Great article!
Hello everyone make sure to sign this petition for EUC
I still don't know wtah going I have all my life am 58 yr old and I looked all around me and see the government helping people they have not worked a day in the life with Social Security benefits just to stay high on
This is such a tragedy for our country. How many stories does one need to hear to fully understand the impact of having no income? It's everything and anything you can possibly imagine. How do you spend your money? Well, it's no different if you out of work. I'm one of the unfortunate people that lost my unemployment INSURANCE at the end of December. I'm back to work, but that didn't take place until the last week in April after three interviews. Four months with no money! Do the math; it's pretty simple. Why is the only thing I can ask at this juncture. Why are they making innocent people and their family and friends suffer? We let big business get away with every financial tactic in book, and we treat our citizens this way. Pathetic.
Jessica, Thank You for being our voice. We, the long term unemployed who have not yet found a job, truly appreciate all of your support. God bless you!
Sign the petition on White House.gov. Don't say it doesn't matter sign it, it only takes a few minutes!!!
I find it sad that at age, 48, after working my entire life, putting myself through paralegal school and working full time my entire life at law firms as paralegal, legal assistant and finally an office manager, I am now only working part time and making half of what I was making and working half the hours. In September 2012 I was diagnosed with breast cancer, worked through all treatment, including a mastectomy and chemo and then lost my job in July, 2013. I immediately started looking and found a part time job in Septemer, where I am still working, part time, making a fraction of what I earned the past 15-20 years. I am entitled to partial benefits were this to be passed. Does Boehner at all care about people such as myself. My father same thing, worked all his life, retired went back to work and than got laid off and he is suffering too. I have 4 children, 5 grandchildren. My husband and I have lived with our children in our home of 17 years which we are about to lose now. I had to sell all my jewelry to pay bills the past few months. Our daughter getting married in 4 weeks and we cannot even afford to help with her wedding. It is sickening to me that ONE man has the authority to stop a vote that would help millions. There aer people out there that are not just sitting arounc and who are trying their best to find work. Give them their pride back, help them out. This is ridiculous!
I got evicted monday 6/3/14 cause scumbags in congress won't pass it the extension.I'm just another homeless person in this screwed up country.how many more gotta go homeless before u pass the bill.
It's sad to hear the endless stories of those devastated by this insanity. I am long term unemployed at 59 yrs. old and after working hard my entire life I've lost everything I've gained in a few short months. This is a total failure by both parties as well as the President to get this done. They all should be real proud of what they have accomplished here. With the exception of a few they simply don't care as there is no political gain to be had. One must simply care enough to care before anything can get done. THEY DON'T CARE!!!