The coalition traveled across 7 key states, stopping in 9 different cities over the course of 6 days.
Washington DC – The Care Can’t Wait coalition, led by Caring Across Generations, is thrilled to share the resounding success of its nationwide bus tour, traveling across seven states and nine cities over the course of six days. The tour galvanized elected and public support for the CARE agenda and drew attention to the urgent need to prioritize solutions for affordable, accessible aging and disability care in the home and community, high-quality child care, paid leave, and good jobs for care workers.
The “Our Economy Runs on Care” bus tour kicked off in Chicago last Monday, just days after the Democratic Convention wrapped up a week of energy and enthusiasm surrounding the new Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris. The launch of the tour was followed by a stop in Milwaukee, the same city where the Republican National Convention was held just a few weeks prior.
“We are deeply grateful for the overwhelming support and engagement we experienced during this tour,” said Ai-jen Poo, Executive Director of Caring Across Generations and President of the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA). “The enthusiasm and commitment of the communities we visited have reinforced our resolve to push for meaningful reforms. This tour has proven that the demand for a comprehensive care agenda is both urgent and widespread.”
Throughout the journey, the coalition engaged with thousands of residents, local leaders, and advocates, sparking meaningful conversations and forging new partnerships. Each city hosted vibrant events, including rallies and press conferences, where care workers and recipients of care shared personal stories and discussed the critical need for comprehensive care policies.
In Chicago, IL, organizers were joined by acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski.
Later that same day, the bus tour traveled to Milwaukee, WI, and organizers were joined by Assembly Assistant Minority Leader Kalan R. Haywood II and Former Wisconsin Lt. Gov Mandela Barnes.
The bus tour continued its journey to Grand Rapids and Detroit, Michigan where they were joined by Michigan State Rep. Kristian Grant, Representative Debbie Dingell, and State Senator Sylvia Santana.
The following day, the bus tour made its way to Philadelphia, PA where local electeds shared a few words in support. A few electeds include State Senator Nikil Saval, State Representative Mary Jo Daley, and Philadelphia Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke.
The bus then traveled to Syracuse, NY later that day where they held a rally with NY State Senator John Mannion and State Senator Rachel May. The following morning the bus made its way to New York, NY where they were joined by Congresswoman Yvette Clarke.
On its second to the last stop, the bus stopped in Apex, NC, where organizers were joined by several local electeds including State Senators Lisa Grafstein and Mike Woodard, State Representatives Alan Buansi, Maria Cervania, Rosa Gill, Renée Price, and Julie von Haefen, and Apex Mayor Jacques Gilbert.
The tour came to a close with an energizing stop in Atlanta, GA where Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) and State Representative Sam Park (HD-107) gave a few remarks.
For more details on the tour, please visit caringacross.org/care-on-tour/.
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CARE CAN’T WAIT is a coalition of organizations, stakeholders and advocates committed to building a comprehensive, 21st century care infrastructure — that means robust investments to expand access to childcare, paid family and medical leave (PFML), and home- and community-based services (HCBS), and ensure good jobs for the care workforce. The coalition is led by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO); American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD); Be A Hero; Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy; Caring Across Generations; Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP); Child Care for Every Family Network; Coalition on Human Needs; Community Change; Family Values @ Work; Institute for Women’s Policy Research; MomsRising; National Domestic Workers Alliance; National Partnership for Women & Families; National Women’s Law Center; Paid Leave for All; Service Employees International Union (SEIU); The Arc; and ZERO TO THREE.