Category: News
January 29th, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media contacts:
Shaleeka Powell, shaleeka@endpovertyinca.org, (916) 907-4456
Andrew Cheyne, andrewcheyne@grace-inc.org, (651) 246-4738
Proposed Federal Freeze on Aid Puts Millions of Working Families and Vulnerable Populations at Risk: California Anti-Poverty Nonprofits Stand United
California anti-poverty organizations call for immediate reversal of aid freeze, warning of devastating impacts on low-income families, children, and seniors.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Today, a coalition of leading California nonprofits, including End Poverty in California (EPIC), GRACE/End Child Poverty California, SEIU California and SEIU United Service Workers’ West, County Welfare Directors Association of California, California Budget & Policy Center, Golden State Opportunity, PICO California, United Ways of California, and Western Center on Law & Poverty are joining forces to denounce the Trump administration’s proposal to freeze federal grants and loans to states and pledge to work together to protect vulnerable families. While there has been much confusion about which programs would be affected, this freeze would jeopardize the well-being of communities across the nation, particularly in California, where the cost of living and economic inequities are among the highest in the country.
The situation remains extremely fluid but as of mid-day January 29th, the White House Press Secretary has confirmed that documents published do not pull back the attacks on programs and in fact are meant to evade the court order issuing a temporary injunction. We continue to call on the Administration to permanently abandon this assault on children, families, and workers, and instead support the vital public programs that help families afford their basic needs as the public has so clearly called on them to do.
“The proposed freeze was a direct attack on working families, children, and seniors who rely on these programs to survive,” said Devon Gray, President of End Poverty in California. “These resources aren’t handouts—they’re a lifeline, helping people keep a roof over their heads, food on the table, and hope for a better future. That’s why organizations across California will continue to be vigilant in protecting our constituents.”
The majority of Americans will turn to the safety net during their lives, and 60% will spend at least 1 year in poverty, according to Dr. Mark Rank, professor of social welfare at Washington University in St. Louis. This action threatens to disrupt essential services and programs that rely on federal funding, including education, healthcare, and disaster relief efforts.
Now more than ever, California must double down on its commitment to innovative programs like Guaranteed Income, Baby Bonds, and other programs that fortify the safety net for its residents. Additionally, we must find new ways to work with allies within California and across the nation–with focus, vigilance, strength, and creativity.
“The Trump administration has made it clear that they are coming for safety net programs that families in every state, of every race, living in both urban and rural areas, and including Republicans and Democrats, rely on,” said Gray. “Their actions this week have purposefully sowed confusion among the public, government agencies, and non-profit organizations, and it is incumbent upon anti-poverty advocates to remain focused on the ongoing threat posed by this administration.”
“It is not too much to say that the so-called federal funding “freeze” has shattered communities and driven deep fears into families across California,” said Shimica Gaskins, President and CEO of GRACE/End Child Poverty California. “Families are asking existential questions like, “Will my child’s school open tomorrow?” Child care providers are contemplating “Will I have to close my doors to my beloved students, and lay off staff?” Federal employees are worrying, “Will I still have a job?” To attempt to wholesale defund and deprive communities of programs passed by Congress is nothing more than the dismantling of our democracy and the fundamental premise of co-equal branches of government,” said Gaskins. “We are grateful to Attorney General Bonta and other leaders for challenging this unconstitutional, illegal action which has now been temporarily blocked. And we are clear on the path forward: renewed love and solidarity between Black, Latine, Immigrant, Indigenous, AAPI, and other communities building power together toward a liberated future for all our children.”
“The safety net programs that our members administer every day are a key lever to lifting people out of poverty and into the middle class,” said Carlos Marquez, Executive Director of County Welfare Directors Association of California. “President Trump ran on bringing more people into the middle class, but instead, the Administration is erecting every barrier imaginable to alleviating generational poverty through this federal funding directive.”
“Our diverse faith and spiritual traditions invite us into care, compassion, and mutuality. Those values that ensure the dignity and humanity of all people are under duress,” Joseph Tomas Mckellar, Executive Director of PICO California. “And while the unconstitutional freeze of federal dollars has been temporarily rescinded it is no less alarming to frontline communities and working families who are struggling on the margins. We stand firmly with our partners at EPIC and across the state with the millions of Californians living in or near poverty in the face of these federal attacks today and those to come.”
“Trump’s funding freeze is creating chaos for frontline organizations, local and state governments, and cutting-edge researchers, disrupting essential services for Californians with low and middle incomes and stalling innovation that benefits communities across California and the nation,” said Chris Hoene, Executive Director of California Budget & Policy Center. “This unnecessary uncertainty upends vital programs, making it harder to deliver aid to those in need, destabilizing the economy, and hurting families who rely on these lifelines.”
“Trump’s proposed funding freeze has created chaos and fear in the hearts of families who are struggling to get by — and that’s exactly what he intended to do. Rather than making rent, eggs, cereal, transportation, child care, and diapers more affordable, Trump has focused his first week on scare tactics targeted at the families struggling to feed their children, all to justify tax cuts for billionaires,” said David Huerta, President of SEIU California and SEIU United Service Workers’ West. “Working people have seen this fear-mongering playbook before. We fought Trump’s cruel attacks on healthcare for children, the sick, and the poor during his first administration and won. We’ll keep fighting to protect the vital public services — from food assistance to child care to healthcare — that working class families care about and rely upon.”
“This careless pursuit of political headlines has real-world consequences, leaving vulnerable individuals and families in jeopardy is not ok. It is mean and irresponsible. Too many people are already struggling to meet the rising cost of living. We can and must do better to protect those who depend on these vital services,” said Amy Everitt, President of Golden State Opportunity. “These disruptions threaten the immediate well-being of vulnerable people and undermine efforts to break the cycle of poverty. This Mean New Deal needs to end.”
“The presidential administration’s order via the OMB to unjustly pause federal investments, which were duly authorized and appropriated by Congress, is an unconstitutional violation of the separation of powers,” said Pete Manzo, President & CEO of United Ways of California. “Moreover, it would severely hurt marginalized California communities, abruptly cutting off access to food, health care, housing support, and other vital services for millions of Californians. A government that truly seeks to serve the best interests of its people must prioritize the well-being of every household, and that starts with ensuring support for our most vulnerable neighbors is not recklessly interrupted.”
“The Trump Administration continues to overstep the bounds of their power and attack our most vulnerable communities with cruel and confusing orders. By holding back billions of dollars in Congressionally approved funding, this administration intends to sow chaos in the vital systems the American people depend on; Jeopardizing our essential infrastructure, healthcare, childcare, food access, housing assistance, lifesaving research, emergency assistance and much more,” said Keely O’Brien, Policy Advocate of Western Center on Law & Poverty. “This funding freeze is a targeted attack against working families, people of color, and people experiencing poverty. This Administration poses a serious threat to the nationwide network of programs and supportive services that protect our basic rights.”
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About End Poverty in California (EPIC):
Led by former Mayor of Stockton, California, Michael Tubbs, End Poverty in California (EPIC) is a nonprofit organization that serves as a hub to bring together local leaders, advocates, policymakers, funders, cultural influencers, and communities to reduce the number of Californians in poverty and to level the economic playing field. Through narrative change, bold policy innovation, and unique partnerships with key stakeholders and influencers, EPIC is working to create new systems that promote economic mobility for all, with dignity at the center. To learn more, please visit endpovertyinca.org and follow us on Instagram, X, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
About End Child Poverty CA (ECPCA) powered by GRACE
GRACE (Gather, Respect, Advocate, Change, Engage) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization working to make a positive difference in the lives of low-income families and their children. GRACE was founded by the Daughters of Charity, who have been engaged in anti-poverty work in California since 1852. GRACE dares to imagine a liberated future, free from systemic racism and poverty, in which all children experience a childhood of abundance, love, dignity, and opportunities to thrive. To achieve this vision, GRACE is building a joyful movement by centering communities, building authentic partnerships, and advancing public investments that create transformative intergenerational change. End Child Poverty California (ECPCA) is a campaign jointly sponsored by GRACE End Child Poverty Institute and GRACE to support public policy, partnerships, and community efforts to dramatically reduce child poverty in California. GRACE End Child Poverty Institute, a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization, was founded to further GRACE’s mission, with the realization that political advocacy and government action are crucial for pushing for real change. To learn more, please visit endchildpovertyca.org, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.