¡Attención!
SAVE THE DATE!
Training Opportunities:
Post Ike: Youth Services Respond to Crisis
Holly Bell, Amy Dunn, Jack Nowicki
December 16, 2008
Houston
Rethinking Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Frank J. Kros
January 16, 2009
Austin
and
Youth In Action
February 4, 2009
TNOYS & Texans Care for Children partner to hold Youth In Action/Children's
Advocacy Day
For more information click
here
Youth in Action -
Voices for Change Day 2009 (formerly Capitol Day)
February 4, 2009
An opportunity for youth to speak
out about their concerns!
Our state legislators come together every two years to make decisions about programs and services in your community and schools. It's important that our state legislators hear what young people have to say before they make decisions about youth programs, education and safety! Young people have much to say about their communities and also have creative solutions to problems. Voices for Change Day (formerly Capitol Day) is an opportunity for their voices to be heard by those who make the decisions, set the budget and change laws for our state. Youth In Action - Voices for Change Day is held during legislative sessions to expose young people to the advocacy process, giving youth groups the opportunity to see our Texas Legislature at work, and to be a part of shaping elected officials’ opinions about the issues that concern them.
Following the rally, you'll have a chance to visit with legislators and their staff to let them know why supporting children is supporting Texas. Come and make your voice heard!
Youth In Action - Capitol Day -- 2007 Event Overview
 |
 |
 |
||
| Representative Patrick Rose voices his support for children's issues | Over 400 people gathered to rally on the south steps of the Capitol | Thunder Barragan, Youth Keynote Speaker at the rally |
(Click on the pictures for a larger version)
TNOYS was pleased to host Youth In Action-Capitol Day 2007 on February 7th for approximately 205 young people and 65 adult sponsors from communities around the state. It was important to get everyone excited about the day ahead, especially when many needed to be reenergized after traveling that morning from various locations across Texas. Orlando Martinez from TNOYS led the charge. His enthusiasm resulted in cheers, applause, and support from all participants of Youth In Action Day. He continued to remind all attendees that youth voices make a significant difference in Texas, and how Youth In Action Capitol Day is a golden opportunity to speak directly with legislators about the issues that directly affect them. Each group attending the event was given an opportunity to present their ideas, topics, and issues to everyone at the pre-rally meeting. The presentations were unique, ranging from direct information spoken into a microphone, to a skit involving teen situations, to a great song and rap routine by yet another group.
After the morning presentations, our group joined approximately 200 adult advocates who attended Children's Advocacy Day (hosted by Texans Care for Children) for a rally on the Capitol’s south steps. State Representative Patrick Rose along with several other legislators stopped by to voice their support for children’s issues, and to support and encourage the young people to continue to tell their personal stories to decision-makers. Our youth were front and center, holding the Youth In Action banner and waiving signs in support of various initiatives that would improve their lives or the services they utilize.
We were pleased to have Thunder Barragan as our youth keynote speaker for the rally. Thunder is 19 years old and serves as a Youth Representative on the Texas Network of Youth Services board of directors. He attends the University of Texas studying Anthropology and wants to learn more about social justice and social welfare. Originally from Corpus Christi, Texas, Thunder was the President of Health Occupations Students of America. He also was the Vice President of Voices that Care, a community oriented group that promoted youth involvement to promote community improvement. Thunder addressed the importance of youth opinions of Texas and how young people can and should be involved in political decisions despite not having the ability to vote because of their young age. His speech was welcomed and applauded by everyone present. After the rally the groups ate lunch (donated by Central Market) on the Capitol grounds and spent the afternoon meeting with their legislators to ask for their support by passing laws or funding programs that help youth develop into healthy, happy, and productive citizens. We know that those conversations make an impression and help the legislators understand the impact of their decisions.
Our hope is this event will serve as starting point for these groups to become more involved in their communities, or that it provides inspiration and camaraderie for the groups that are already engaged in their neighborhoods and service organizations. We are very thankful to our emcee, Orlando Martinez, for facilitating our morning session, and especially appreciate all of the participants and their adult sponsors for their hard work in preparing for Capitol Day.
Participating Organizations
- AVANCE - Rio Grande Valley
- Baptist Child and Family Services, San Antonio
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston
- Central Texas Community Development Corp.,
- CrossRoads Youth & Family Services,
- Dallas CYD Program
- Department of Family and Protective Services, PAL/Foster Care, Abilene, Austin, Beaumont, Dallas, and El Paso
- DePelchin Children's Center, Houston
- Ed Brune Charter School, Leakey
- Fifth Ward Enrichment Program, Houston
- Harris County Child Protective Services, PAL/Foster Care, Houston
- K’STAR, Kerrville
- LifeWorks Shelter/Casey Family Program, Austin
- Promise House Youth Advisory Board, Dallas