The Trump administration’s deeply troubling policy of separating migrant children from their families at the border shook the conscious of many Americans, including right here in Ohio. As a result of the administration’s cruel family separation policy, thousands of children have been torn from their families.

In response to the Trump administration’s family separation policy, Ohioans demanded their representatives in Congress act to keep immigrant families together, and to reunite families who have been separated by the “zero-tolerance” policy. Concerned Ohioans have rallied in cities throughout the state — including in Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Toledo, Athens, and Lima — to speak out against the separation of children from families, and to stand in solidarity with immigrants and their families.

Here are some ways For Our Future Ohio joined Ohioans in the fight to keep families together:

Speaking out against the Trump administration’s family separation policy:

Source: NBC News

Holding public officials accountable for their stance on Trump’s family separation policy:

A group of Ohio moms were arrested at Ohio Senator Rob Portman’s Columbus office after peacefully protesting against Trump’s family separation policy.

Statement from For Our Future Ohio State Director Antonia Webb responding to Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine declining to call on President Trump to end the administration’s family separation policy.

Calling for an end to the Trump administration’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy that breaks up families:

Standing in solidarity with immigrant families and communities impacted by mass workplace immigration raids:

The Toledo Immigrant Alliance and Rapid Response Network hosts a press conference in response to a massive workplace immigration raid at a Sandusky-area business.

Want to get involved? Want to share your story? Contact us here.

Every hardworking Ohioan, regardless of their zip code, deserves the opportunity to build a better future for themselves and their families — which is exactly why For Our Future Ohio is fighting to protect unions and the workers they serve.

Unions play a vital role in growing and strengthening the middle class. Whether fighting for better wages and workplace protections, advancing the cause of social and racial justice, or advocating on behalf of workers and their families, unions make sure that our economy works for everyone, not just those at the very top.

Unfortunately, unions and workers are under attack. Wealthy special interests and anti-worker lawmakers are pushing an agenda to gut unions and significantly weaken workers’ collective voice. In the face of such attacks, For Our Future Ohio stands in solidarity with unions, and is standing up to those who seek to strip workers of their dignity and rights.

Here are some highlights of the work For Our Future Ohio has done in the fight to protect unions and workers’ rights:

Standing in solidarity with unions and workers at the Working People’s Day of Action:

Thousands gather at the Ohio Statehouse to show support for unions, workers

Calling on lawmakers to give workers a much-needed raise:

Op-ed by For Our Future Ohio Director Antonia Webb

Partnering with community leaders and faith-based organizations in support of a living wage:

Want to get involved? Want to share your story? Contact us here.

College has become unaffordable for many Ohio families. In fact, Ohio now ranks worst in the nation when it comes to student debt, and 45th in the nation when it comes to college affordability. The exploding cost of college presents a real burden for Ohio students and their families, often forcing individuals to take on tens of thousands of dollars of students debt. In 2016, college graduates in Ohio graduated with an average $30,000 of student debt.

One player in Ohio’s worsening student debt crisis is Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, who enabled private debt collectors to profit off of Ohioans struggling to pay off their students loans. These private firms profited by charging struggling borrowers outrageous fees that often surpassed 40% of the original debt. In some cases, former students were wrongfully sued or didn’t know they were being sued.

An investigation by The Columbus Dispatch revealed just how abusive these student loan collection practices could be: In one case, a $76 balance grew to $1,767. In another case, a $6,600 loan nearly doubled to to $12,000. When former students sued Mike DeWine’s office for its abusive debt collection practices, Mike DeWine stood with the firms profiting off of Ohioans with student loan debt.

To hold Mike DeWine accountable, For Our Future Ohio partnered with current and former college students throughout Ohio to call out Mike DeWine for his failure to clean up abusive student debt collection practices.

Current and former students host a press conference at Cleveland State University to highlight how Mike DeWine has worsened the student debt crisis:

Northwest Ohioans speak out on Mike DeWine’s failure to clean up abusive student debt collection practices:

Ohio University students speak out against Mike DeWine’s siding with private debt collectors over Ohioans struggling to pay off their students loans:

Want to get involved? Want to share your story? Contact us here.

The soul of the Ohio GOP is being tried, and so far it is failing wretchedly. —The Columbus Dispatch editorial board, 5/27/18

After more than 7 years of one-party rule in Columbus, Ohio Republicans’ culture of corruption has wreaked havoc on Ohio — and Ohio workers, families, and communities are paying the price.

In the past few months alone, several Ohio Republicans have resigned due to scandals, the FBI has opened an investigation against former Republican House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger, and Republican infighting in the Statehouse has brought lawmaking to a standstill. Meanwhile, under Ohio Republicans’ watch, Ohio taxpayers were defrauded at least $80 million by the now-shuttered Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow.

This is unacceptable. The Ohio GOP is putting politics before people by allowing their corruption, infighting, and dysfunction to interfere with the important work of serving Ohioans.

Ohio deserves leaders who will fight to build a better future for our state, not scandal-plagued politicians who waste time and taxpayer money fighting among themselves.

Add your name to send a clear message to Ohio Republicans: Ohio deserves leaders who will fight to build a better future for our state, not scandal-plagued politicians who waste time and taxpayer money fighting among themselves.

Demand Rep. Jim Renacci hold a public town hall!

After the 2016 election, Republicans quickly got to work devising their plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act. However, what Republicans didn’t anticipate — and what ultimately fended off their attempts to strip health care from millions of Americans — was the enormous groundswell of local activism opposing Republican efforts to repeal the health care law. Through phone calls, letters, rallies, and town halls, Ohioans sent a clear message to Washington that we will hold lawmakers accountable for partisan attacks on our health care.

Together with local activists and organizations, community leaders, and other Ohioans concerned about the future of our health care, For Ohio’s Future helped organize and elevate the voices of countless Ohioans who believe in protecting and strengthening — not destroying — the Affordable Care Act.

Your stories and actions are making the difference. And although Republicans in the Statehouse, Congress, and the White House continue to try to sabotage the health care law, For Ohio’s Future will continue to stand up for every Ohioan’s right to have quality, affordable health coverage.

Here’s a snapshot of how For Ohio’s Future is working to protect health care:

Helped elevate the stories of Ohioans who would be personally impacted by the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, whether directly through their own care or the care of a loved one.

Ohioans across the state share their stories, stand together to stop the Republican plans to repeal health care.

“I’m here because I’m a recovering addict. This health bill just passed by the House would put thousands of people like me across Ohio at risk by making insurance unaffordable and out of reach.” – OSU junior Jacob Carruthers.

Community conversation on health care in Youngstown

Medicaid recipient shares her personal story with WCPO in Cincinnati

Supported rallies and town halls throughout the state urging lawmakers to protect, not destroy, the Affordable Care Act.

Protesters at The Ohio State University rally against the GOP health care repeal

Cincinnatians rally against ACA repeal at Sen. Rob Portman’s office

Columbus was one of the locations across the state with “Stop Playing Games with Health Care” events

Chillicothe Gazette: Town hall examines health care worries

At town hall in Toledo, the interfaith community and Rep. Marcy Kaptur call on the GOP to protect affordable health care

In Youngstown, protesters outside of a Trump event highlight health care

“Our Lives on the Line” rally in Dayton

“Drive For Our Lives” bus tour stop in Cincinnati with former Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius

Helped organize and elevate petition deliveries and office visits urging Ohio lawmakers to protect Ohioans’ access to affordable health care.

Bus leaves Columbus for Washington, D.C. to press Sen. Rob Portman on health care

Faith leader letter delivery and vigil in Cincinnati

Held Ohio lawmakers accountable for their vote on health care repeal, reminding them that Ohioans’ will remember whether or not their representative fought to defend their health care.

Want to get involved? Want to share your story? Contact us here.

After failing to deliver on their plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act and strip health care away from millions of Americans, Republicans in Washington moved onto their next priority: giving massive tax breaks to millionaires, billionaires, and wealthy corporations, at the expense of the middle class. And just like the fight for our health care, Ohioans once again rallied together to call on their representatives to oppose the Republican tax plan.

Through phone calls, letters, rallies, and other actions, Ohioans made clear that we want a fair tax code that invests in middle-class families and our communities. Unfortunately, Republicans threw their support behind a plan that dramatically increases the federal deficit and raises taxes on millions of working- and middle-class families. For Our Future Ohio will continue to hold our representatives accountable for their votes on the Republican tax plan and continues to work with Ohioans to protect programs that are threatened by the bill, including Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and public education.

Here are some highlights of the work For Our Future Ohio has done in the fight for tax fairness:

Elevated voices and supported rallies throughout the state urging lawmakers to reject tax breaks for millionaires, billionaires, and wealthy corporations at the expense of middle-class Ohioans.

Carols of Protest in Columbus on the GOP Tax Scam

“Music video” highlighting carolers across Ohio rising up in opposition to the GOP tax scam

Rally outside of Rep. Steve Chabot’s office urging him to vote no on the GOP tax plan.

Not One Penny Tax Reform Rally in Cincinnati

Exposing the truth of the GOP tax plan outside of a Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin event in Columbus

Want to get involved? Want to share your story? Contact us.

It’s the scariest bill that you’ve never heard of: The Regulatory Accountability Act. And we’re committed to making sure the bill — sponsored by Senator Rob Portman — doesn’t become law. Senator Portman’s bill could severely jeopardize the health and safety of every single Ohioan and American.

The Regulatory Accountability Act (RAA) may sound innocuous, but the RAA threatens the health and safety of our workers, our environment, and our families. Among other things, the RAA grants corporate polluters a License to Pollute, giving big corporations virtually free rein to dump toxins into the air we breathe and the water we drink. The RAA poses a threat to people’s health and safety in other ways as well: the bill could impact everything from food and workplace safety to consumer protections.

For Our Future Ohio is committed to fighting for the health and safety of all Ohioans, and is working with environmental, labor, and community leaders throughout the state to make sure that corporations aren’t granted a license to pollute or given a pass to cheat consumers. Here are a few things For Our Future Ohio has done:

In Columbus, For Our Future Ohio organized a press conference with the Sierra Club, the Communications Workers of America Local ​4320, Columbus City Councilman Shannon Hardin, and others on how the Trump administration’s decision to roll back the Clean Power Plan and Senator Rob Portman’s RAA both threaten the health and safety of Ohio workers, the environment, and families.

In Cincinnati, For Our Future Ohio and NextGen America press conference and delivery of 380,000 petitions in opposition to the RAA.

Cincinnatians rally in support of Paris Agreement, climate action

Press conference outside of the EPA building in Cincinnati, on the importance of the EPA to the region’s economic and environmental health.

Want to get involved? Want to share your story? Contact us.

In September 2017, the Trump administration rescinded the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program. DACA has helped roughly 800,000 young people who have lived in the United States since their childhood — known as Dreamers — to come forward, pass background checks, and live and work legally in the U.S. In Ohio, DACA has changed the lives of thousands of young people, allowing them to live, study, and work in America without fear of deportation.

Ending DACA puts Dreamers at risk of deportation, tearing apart families, creating tremendous disruptions for businesses, and sending shock waves through Ohio’s economy and communities. For Our Future Ohio is committed to defending Dreamers, and urges Congress to pass a clean Dream Act so that these hardworking and talented Ohioans can contribute to the communities that they call home.

For Our Future Ohio is working with faith leaders, Dreamers, community organizers, small business owners, and other Ohio leaders to call on Congress to protect Dreamers by passing a clean, bipartisan Dream Act. Through rallies, sign on letters, petition drops, and phone calls to Ohio representatives, we’re sending a clear message to Washington that Ohioans stand with Dreamers!

Here are just a few ways we’ve been organizing to support Dreamers:

Helped elevate the stories of Dreamers who are impacted by the administration’s decision to end DACA.

Video highlighting the positive impact DACA recipients have had on Ohio communities

DACA recipients speak out, Cincinnati activists gather to show support for DACA

Groups gather to defend DACA, support Dreamers

Hosted community forums to discuss the importance of DACA and Dreamers and in our communities.

“Toledo is for Dreamers” community forum

Helped organize petition deliveries urging Ohio lawmakers to protect Dreamers by passing a clean Dream Act.

DACA petition delivery to Sen. Rob Portman in Cleveland

DACA letter delivery to Portman’s Toledo office

Supported rallies throughout the state urging lawmakers to defend DACA and protect Dreamers.

Cincinnatians rally in support of DACA, call on Sen. Rob Portman to protect dreamers

Toledoans rally to show support for DACA, Dreamers

Hundreds Rally in Columbus to Show Support for Dreamers

Want to get involved? Want to share your story? Contact us.

Hate has no place in Ohio. That’s why in the immediate aftermath of violent protests organized by the so-called alt-right movement in the summer of 2017, For Our Future Ohio helped local groups and community leaders organize peaceful demonstrations conveying that Ohioans unequivocally reject racism and violent extremism.

Here are a few ways For Our Future Ohio has helped combat violent extremism:

Charlottesville solidarity rally at University of Toledo brings in hundreds

Cincinnati community rallies in solidarity with Charlottesville

In the weeks following the attack in Charlottesville, For Our Future Ohio also convened groups of activists and civic leaders for a series of “Resist. Mobilize. Win.” community conversations and trainings. The discussions and trainings — which took place in communities throughout Ohio — focused on protesting for positive change, combating extremism and the alt-right, and transferring grassroots energy into electoral power for 2018.

“Resist. Mobilize. Win.” community discussion in Maumee

“Resist. Mobilize. Win.” community discussion in Columbus

Want to get involved? Want to share your story? Contact us.

Public school funding in Ohio remains far behind where it was for children in school districts during the Great Recession. In all, 395 Ohio districts will get less funding in 2018-2019, adjusted for inflation, than in 2010-2011.

For Our Future Ohio and partners, including Innovation Ohio and ProgressOhio, hosted a series of Citizen Town Halls to bring current issues in the statehouse to the people and to inform them how to positively influence legislation that affects their families and communities. A central focus of the town halls was the Republican state budget’s inadequate funding for education.

Dayton Citizens Town Hall

FOX45Now: Dayton leaders sit down for a conversation about the state’s budget shortfalls

Cincinnati Citizens Town Hall

Mahoning Valley Citizens Town Hall