Ready, Set, March!

A SOCIAL MOVEMENT HAS BEGUN

The STUCK tour has created the beginning of a social movement to promote adoption as a solution for at-risk children living outside of parental care. While on tour, we amassed over 800 volunteers, over 14,500 Facebook likes, meaningful university speaking engagements, leadership lunches, podcasts, radio and television interviews, print articles, bloggers and one-on-one conversations. The outpouring of support was phenomenal as I had the privilege to meet countless people who care about making things that are wrong, right.

The tour succeeded in establishing and organizing the front-line leadership for the UNSTUCK movement. This team will now begin to work together to mobilize the broader population to influence governing bodies to make a child's human right to a family a priority.

We make the greatest impact in the shortest period of time if we can force our government to take a leadership role to transform the system of international adoption. Senator Mary Landrieu has taken a first critical step and will be introducing new legislation addressing the United States' role in international adoption to help more orphans get into permanent families.

This tangible step forward will be showcased and discussed by Senator Landrieu as she will be leading a town hall meeting after the May 16th screening at the AMC Georgetown 14 Theater.

All movements have an initiating event. The week of May 13-17 represents the UNSTUCK movement's initiating event and I certainly hope you can participate in all or some of the activities. Your involvement demonstrates your concern and compassion for children living outside of parental care.

NEXT WEEK'S AGENDA

Ongoing

• Make appointments with representatives for when you are in Washington, D.C.
  Please note: business attire suggested for meeting with your representatives.
• Sign the petition and ask 5 friends to do the same
• Continue sharing about STUCK and Both Ends Burning via Social Media

Monday, May 13th

• National Call-In Day
  Pick up the phone, call your Senators and Congressional Representatives and let them know that this issue is important to you. You will find a sample phone script here.

Thursday, May 16th

• Washington, D.C. STUCK Screening
  Join us at 7:00 PM at the AMC Georgetown 14 Theater, with a town hall meeting following hosted by Senator Mary Landrieu. Purchase tickets here.

Friday, May 17th

• The Step Forward for Orphans March
  Meet at the Washington Monument – the march begins at 1:00 PM. Red march t-shirts will be available for $10.00 at march headquarters. If you prefer to wear your own shirt, please wear red. Full march details can be found here.

The tour has succeeded in exposing the issue and we have created a solid foundation that can form the social and political will to change the status quo. The activities next week can continue to build momentum and force leaders to make these kids lives a priority. If all of us put an extraordinary amount of effort to support these activities, we will have taken a big STEP FORWARD.

I look forward to shaking your hand and thanking you in person next week in Washington, D.C.

Craig Juntunen
Founder, Both Ends Burning