BRUU is an active member of Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement (VOICE).

VOICE is a broad-based, strictly non-partisan citizens’ power organization taking action on issues that affect the most vulnerable families and communities in Northern Virginia. Founded in 2008, VOICE draws together residents of Prince William, Fairfax, and Arlington counties as well as the City of Alexandria.

This multi-racial, multi-faith organization includes nearly 50 member institutions representing over 125,000 persons. Top issues of concern to VOICE are housing and homelessness, English as a Second Language programs for immigrants in particular, and meeting the dental needs of low-income adults in Northern Virginia.

Recent successes include tackling the housing foreclosure crisis in Prince William County.  By seeking commitments from the three major lenders for mortgage adjustments, VOICE has ensured funding for 5 new, non-profit housing counselors and up to $60 million in adjustments of loans for “underwater” homeowners.

VOICE pressured the lenders who made inappropriate loans to step up and implement solutions – and a Washington Post article shows how VOICE has praised the financial institutions that responded to the challenge. Most recently, VOICE shaped the General Assembly decision in 2013 to allocate funding from the Foreclosure Fraud Settlement  (for “robo-signing” of foreclosure documents)

Actions brewing for 2013:
– Foreclosure Campaign
– Affordable Housing Strategy in Alexandria, Fairfax, and Arlington
– Western Fairfax Dental Campaign
– Education & Youth Issues in Rt. 1 Corridor;
– Proposal to Expand Immigration Organizing & 2013 Organized Money Campaign