Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy

10/24/2026

For people of faith, voting is one way we love our neighbors and care for our communities. Our board chair, Rev. Kelly Bayer Derrick, shares why showing up at the polls matters.

Early voting ends October 31, so make your plan today. Find your early voting options and polling place at elections.virginia.gov.

10/23/2026

Students, save the date!
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Student Day of Action 2027 hits Richmond on February 2nd! Meet other students and connections from across Virginia and help push for change. ⁠
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Don’t miss it. Registration info is coming soon! 💛💙💚

10/23/2026

Join our executive director, Rev. Dr. LaKeisha Cook, as we ride around town spotting the 100% Voting banners that congregations have displayed outside their doors. Every banner is a promise to show up for our neighbors and our communities.

⏰ TODAY, October 23, is the last day to register to vote. Not sure if you’re registered? Check your status today at Elections.virginia.gov then tag a friend and make sure they’re ready too.

10/22/2026

Our James River Chapter hosted Guns to Gardens event at Williamsburg United Methodist Church. Neighbors brought unwanted fi****ms, and together we began forging them into garden tools, turning something that can cause pain into something that helps things grow.

Thank you to everyone who came out, to the volunteers, and the wonderful hosts at Williamsburg UMC.

10/21/2026

Join us for Interfaith Souls to the Polls at three locations across the Richmond and Chesterfield region! Come cast your vote, share a meal with neighbors of every faith, and stand together for the Virginia we believe in. Every vote is a prayer for our community’s future.

And yes, there’s a FREE FISH FRY!

📅 Sunday, October 25, 2026

📍 Location 1: Hickory Hill Community Center
3000 East Belt Blvd., Richmond, VA 23234
🕛 12:00 – 4:00 PM

📍 Location 2: Richmond City Hall
900 E Broad St., Richmond, VA 23219
🕛 12:00 – 4:00 PM

📍 Location 3: Union Grove Baptist Church
19111 Church Road, South Chesterfield, VA
🕧 12:30 – 4:30 PM

Bring your family, your congregation, and your friends. Come as you are and vote with purpose!

10/20/2026

Yesterday, VICPP joined fellow organizations at the State Capitol for the Virginia United Compact Ceremony, hosted by Secretary of Health and Human Resources Marvin Figueroa and his staff in Governor Spanberger’s administration.

The Compact recognizes organizations committed to helping the Commonwealth respond to the Medicaid and SNAP changes under H.R. 1 and to protecting Virginians from coverage loss. The gathering gave signers an opportunity to hear what HHR has accomplished so far and what work lies ahead.

We were proud to sign the Compact, and we’re grateful to Secretary Figueroa and his team for their leadership and partnership. This is an all-hands-on-deck moment, and we’re committed to helping the communities we serve navigate the H.R. 1 rules.

We’re also excited to share that JD DeLeon has joined the VICPP team as our faith community network coordinator, helping community members with the H.R. 1 rollout. Pictured with Secretary Figueroa, Deputy Secretary Lauryn Walker, and Deputy Secretary Toni Blue, JD and Rev. Dr. LaKeisha Cook represented our team at the ceremony. Welcome, JD!

10/20/2026

The new episode of Faith, Policy, and Purpose is LIVE! 🎙️🗳️

Is voting a faith issue? Rev. Dr. Ponder says “yes and yes.” In this conversation with our communications director, Roberta Oster, he explains why civic engagement is ethical, moral, and a faith-based responsibility, and what role the church plays in making sure every voice is heard.

“It’s all about the voice.”

Listen now and share with someone who needs to hear it.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/09TgWgbCxUNyJenMEzafcE?si=wVz872IARmSsHBy_73FKRw

YouTube: https://youtu.be/rinC5a217_A

10/19/2026

“Our vote is our voice.” 🗳️

Whether it’s a major election or just the dog catcher, Rev. Dr. Ponder’s congregation shows up. In this clip from Faith, Policy, and Purpose, he explains why participation matters most in underserved communities, and why every voice counts, especially when people say yours doesn’t.

Hear the full conversation when the new episode drops tomorrow, October 20, at 12:00 PM.

10/19/2026

The clock is ticking! With less than two weeks of early voting left, Unitarian Universalist Church of Charlottesville is proudly displaying their 100% Voting banner this election season.

Need some information about voting early? Check out Elections.virginia.gov

10/15/2026

Outstanding article in Cardinal News by Emily Schabacker about
our new educational campaign that addresses misconceptions about midwifery care and promotes the model as a way to expand access to healthcare. Cardinal News is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan newspaper serving Southside and Southwest Virginia. We appreciate independent journalism!

The new grant-funded campaign aims to address misconceptions about midwifery and promote the model as one way to expand access to healthcare.