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Let Us Get to Work

The number of issues we face may seem overwhelming, and often it feels as though there is nothing we can do. But luckily there are lots of things we can each do to make a big difference.

Part of the strategy we are up against is called “flood the zone”, where the goal is to start so many fires that we are overwhelmed by where to start and end up giving up. But we aren’t giving up. Pick your meme/inspirational quote – but any action we take anywhere makes a difference. It shows that we are not giving up. By taking action you also inspire others to create change.

Take Action!

Learn how to combat Mis and Dis Information

Things feel quite scary right now for a lot of us. We feel threatened by political upheaval. And it is because we do not agree, we do not see the same things.

But things can be a lot better. The people who don’t agree could be coming together. Deep down we share a common core of values. We could be bringing everyone along with us on a path or growth and learning. And it is imperative that we do so.

Misinformation isn’t just about blatantly false claims, but often mixes bits of truth with emotional appeals and repeated exposure to create a “sticky” narrative.

Combating misinformation requires not only fact-checking but also building strong, inclusive communities where diverse perspectives are respected, and honest dialogue is prioritized.

Learn More Here

Learn to Advocate

Learn to advocate!

Check out our advocacy guide (and videos).

Write a letter to your legislator

Learn all about writing your legislator here. 

Remember:

  1. Clear.
  2. Concise.
  3. Respectful.
  4. One issue at a time.
  5. Sign it with your address.

Sample:

Dear Rep X,

I am Vicky Voter, and I live in your district.

I ask you to support <X>. This is important because <Y>

<Tell a personal story as to why this is important.>

Thank you for your time,

Sincerely,
Vicky Voter
123 Main St, Your Town, State
vivky@fakeemailaddress

Feed Someone

Find a foodbank near you. 

Over 1.5 million Georgians benefit from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). That’s nearly 15 percent of people living in our state! Recent cuts to this federal program will put the most vulnerable Georgians at risk and shift the cost of assistance to our state government.

The biggest change is to ‘work requirements’ via the elimination of these key exemptions:

  1. Before, it only applied to adults 18 to 54. Now it is 18-65.
  2. Before, parents who were responsible for a dependent under the age of 18. Now, it is under the age of 14.
  3. Before, veterans, homeless individuals, and young adults transitioning out of foster care. Now, all these groups need to meet the work requirements.

The end of the government shutdown means that millions of Georgians will finally get their SNAP benefits hopefully soon. However, this is the month that the One Big Beautiful Bill enacts the above changes. Starting with the 2028 fiscal year, states with an error rate of higher than 6% will start losing federal funding for the program. As of Nov. 1, as the implementation grace period ends, every mistake will be counted.

Learn more here. 

Stay Informed!

Stay up to date on current happenings – from the overall impact of losses, to the War on Services and Data, to missing Health Services.

Also – learn about some positive wins! Because successes fuel our optimism.

War on Services and Data

From missing FEMA aid, to budget cuts, to lack of funding for food programs – indiscriminate cuts are having a major impact on Georgians.

Death by 1000 Papercuts

Impacts on Health Services

We’ve gutted our public health infrastructure.

We are the home to an amazing university system, the CDC, and a thriving biotech industry. The very things that could be saving our health – have less money than ever to combat today’s health problems and prevent future one.

Our Health is Our Wealth

“An Associated Press investigation found more than 420 bills attacking longstanding public health protections such as vaccines, milk safety and fluoride in most states. More than two dozen have already been enacted or adopted.”

Takeaways from AP’s report on anti-science bills in US statehouses | AP News | 21 Oct, 2025

Location of Funding Cuts

The Impact Map shows where, and what type, of cuts have been made. But what does this mean? What are the consequences? What effects on your life and your community?

Workers Locked out of the Centers for Disease Control (many in Atlanta)

  • ~1,600 Impacted by the Reduction in Force (reduced from nearly 2,400 initially)
  • 500+ Retirements Processed (April 1 – May 31), including:
    • 350+ Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA)
    • 180+ Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments (VSIP)
  • 400+ Deferred Resignation Program (DRP)
  • 400+ Probationary Employees
  • Hiring Freeze Until July 15

USAID closing impacts the CDC as well. For example, the divisions working on diseases in other countries (where, for example, many diseases start – COVID, Ebola, etc), are funded in large part through USAID. Because USAID funds are going away those international staff are coming home and funding for them vanishes at the end of this fiscal year.

The Cost of Cutting American Science

Our friends at Partnership for Public Service have created The Cost of Cutting American Science.

To quote their email announcing the toolkit:

This interactive tool highlights the federal government’s leadership in safeguarding U.S. health and science since World War II, demonstrating the risk of hollowing out federal science agencies.

Why it matters: While most Americans agree that the federal government should fund basic scientific research, indiscriminate cuts to the vital work and personnel of federal science, health and environment agencies harm the public.

  • Federal cuts weaken food safety, disrupt health-alert systems, slow medical advancements, and delay, pause or end projects to improve communities’ disaster-risk or conservation work.

  • With the loss of over 117,000 civil servants, everything from the water we drink to innovative medical treatments to our national parks is threatened.

By the numbers: Here’s a glimpse of what has happened in public science to date:

  • A 24% decrease in project grant funding from science agencies between 2024 and 2025

  • Major federal workforce decreases at agencies related to national parks and public lands (over 27%), scientific discovery and technological innovation (over 23%), and food and agriculture (nearly 23%)

  • A decrease in project grant and research and development funding from science agencies in most states, with large project decreases in Mississippi and Colorado and large R&D decreases in Arkansas, Rhode Island, West Virginia and Kansas.

Learn about Positive Impacts of Science

“A degree from one of USG’s 26 public colleges and universities is a million-dollar deal for graduates and a billion-dollar boost for Georgia,” USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue said. “Students see real returns through higher earnings and better opportunities. Meanwhile, our institutions power Georgia’s economy and help local communities thrive.”

Some good news! ‘It is astonishing’: Congress rebuffs Trump push to slash $33B from health, human services • Georgia Recorder | 6 Feb, 2026

Georgia Tech Climbs to No. 2 University in Federally Sponsored Research Expenditures – Metro Atlanta CEO | 9 Jan, 2026

University System of Georgia’s Economic Impact Increases to $23.1 Billion | Communications | University System of Georgia – 12 Aug, 2025.

The evolution of universities as engines of innovation | Stanford Report – 15 Aug, 2025

Ag Extension and Peach Growers working to better transport Georgia’s peaches for sale: Farmers experiment with turning up the temperature on Georgia peaches – Savannah Morning News | 4 Sept, 2025

How Uruguay ditched fossil fuels for renewables – The Washington Post – 20 Sept, 2025

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