In February, two young adult initiatives gained experience advocating to NYS elected officials.
On February 4, St. Nicks Alliance brought fourteen students from Williamsburg High School of Art and Technology to Albany. The students met with New York State legislators to advocate for a state education budget that prioritizes the needs of all New York City youth. Prior to this trip, they had completed a multi-day training with the Coalition for Equitable Education Funding (CEEF).
Later that month, North Brooklyn YouthBuild sent three representatives from their Youth Policy Council to meet with NYS Assembly Member Emily Gallagher. They led a discussion on the barriers they are currently facing in their communities and how YouthBuild has been instrumental in helping them navigate these challenges. Several key issues included the need for increased youth resources within shelters, expanded access to mental health services, and the creation of more safe and supportive community spaces for young people. Gallagher expressed a strong interest in advancing these concerns and identifying opportunities to escalate them at the policy level.
The Greenline 