Where I Come From

By Lisa Sieren

As a blogger, they tell us to write from the heart. That works well with the advocate blog, because advocacy at its best is personal. While I have always believed in the advocacy work in which United Way engages, our policy work this legislative session has become more personal to me than ever. I see how it can impact not only the community I now live in, but the community that raised me.

New unemployment rates were recently released. At 4.8%, Iowa’s unemployment rate fares better than the national average, which was 8.1% in February. Central Iowa falls close to the state average with Polk, Dallas and Warren counties having rates of 4.6%, 5.3% and 5.5% respectively. As I often do, I checked in my hometown newspaper to see how my hometown, Ottumwa, is doing in relation to the state. As I read the article on Ottumwa unemployment, my heart dropped.

Ottumwa’s unemployment rate is at 7%, well above the state average. As I absorb this number, I think about my family and friends who still live there and how they are faring in the current economic situation. I think of my parents’ friends and friends’ parents, all who I can honestly say are good, hardworking people. But, unfortunately, tough economic times impact everyone.

So what can I do for the community that raised me? Well, like many others, there are times when I let the economy get me down. But then I come to work and advocate for United Way’s statewide legislative agenda. This legislative session, United Way has been advocating for enhanced access to workforce training programs. One of the specific pieces of legislation we have supported is the extension of unemployment benefits for those in an approved training program. Legislation such as this provides opportunity in the tough economy, opportunity not only for central Iowans and those in my hometown, but for Iowans across the state.

If there is one lesson that I have kept with me since I left home for college, it is this: never forget where you came from. Central Iowa has become home to me and I love living here. But a piece of my heart has always and will always belong to Ottumwa. My hometown has made my advocacy work more personal than ever. I encourage you to look at your life and the lives of those you care about, and think about how your advocacy work can be personal to you.