WASHINGTON, D.C. – Alamosa Mayor Pro Tem Ty Coleman, a Save the Children Action Network community advocate, traveled to Washington, D.C. from March 26 - 28 to participate in the annual Invest In Kids Advocacy Summit, hosted by Save the Children and Save the Children Action Network (SCAN).

He joined hundreds of advocates from across the country to attend in-depth advocacy trainings and urge lawmakers from both parties to make key investments in early childhood education in the U.S. and maternal, newborn and child survival programs overseas. Specifically, attendees asked lawmakers to oppose deep budget cuts to foreign aid and domestic early childhood education programs such as Head Start that will have disastrous impacts on the health, education and safety of mothers and children at home and abroad.

“I am so thankful for the chance to go to Washington and advocate for kids,” said Coleman. “This was a great opportunity to meet with other leaders from across the country, as well as our members of Congress and explain to them why we are so passionate about making sure every child in the U.S. has access to a high-quality early learning program and every child around the world lives to see their fifth birthday and beyond. No matter where they live, every kid deserves the chance to survive and thrive.”

During the 2017 Advocacy Summit, more than 200 advocates – including 70 high school and college students – from more than 30 states met with more than 130 lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

Advocates from Colorado met with Rep. Diana DeGette, as well as staff from the offices of Sen. Michael Bennet, Sen. Cory Gardner, Rep. Scott Tipton and Rep. Ed Perlmutter.

Summit participants heard from powerful change-leaders and elected officials, including Save the Children Board Chair Dr. Jill Biden, who gave keynote remarks, Congressman James E. Clyburn, D-S.C., Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Rep. Ed Royce, R-Calif., Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., Washington Post opinion writer Jonathan Capehart, Save the Children President & CEO Carolyn Miles and SCAN President Mark Shriver.

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Ty Coleman, left, traveled to Washington, D.C. from March 26-28 to participate in the Invest In Kids Advocacy Summit, hosted by Save the Children and Save the Children Action Network. Coleman met with members of Congress to urge them to invest in early childhood education and global maternal and child health.