Good Afternoon Labor Leaders,

I hope this message finds you well and in good spirits as we prepare for the season of giving.

The CWA Human Rights Department, Research Department, and National Legislative and Political Department have long stood with families navigating the challenges of having a loved one incarcerated. As many of us know, incarceration touches far too many households—1 in 2 Americans—often placing heavy emotional and financial burdens on grandparents or other caregivers who step in to raise children. These hardships affect not only families, but the well-being and economic stability of workers across our communities.

For CWA, ensuring that families can stay connected is both a human rights matter and a labor issue. The numbers tell a powerful story: families spend an average of $4,200 a year supporting an incarcerated loved one, and for African American families, that cost can reach $8,000 annually.

This year, the CWA Human Rights Committee Holiday Drive will support justice-impacted families by collecting:

• Blankets
• Gently used and new coats
• School supplies
• Stuffed animals
• Toys for children

The drive will run December 5–19, and donations will be delivered on Saturday, December 20th. After delivery, we will stay on-site to help assemble toys for the children we serve.

We warmly ask each Local to engage your members in contributing these items and in offering volunteer support.