Nandi Kumondan, a system-impacted youth, turned her challenging experiences into advocacy for young people facing similar struggles. After her mother’s accident and subsequent passing, Nandi navigated legal obstacles without support. Through initiatives like Connected Youth Initiative, she now advocates for foster youth rights, ensuring they receive essential resources and support.
“It could have been us.” Powerful words spoken by a young advocate during Legislative Days, capturing the real-life stakes behind the bills debated at this year’s event. Designed to educate young people on the legislative and policymaking process, the event gives youth leaders a platform to push for meaningful change. Hosted by Connected Youth Initiative (CYI), an initiative of Nebraska Children and Families Foundation (Nebraska Children), Legislative Days emphasizes civic engagement as a tool for personal growth and community betterment. For many participants, this event marks the beginning of their advocacy journey, setting them on paths to future leadership roles.
The voices of Nebraska’s youth proved to be a powerful force, swaying Governor Jim Pillen to support crucial legislation impacting food security for 150,000 children in Nebraska. The young advocates, representing communities across Nebraska, presented compelling arguments at Legislative Days, ultimately influencing the governor’s decision. Their success highlights the transformative impact of youth advocacy in shaping policy.
“Sit down for just one minute and listen to me. That is what I would want to see changed; not, ‘You go here or here, or if you do this, we will put you here.’ As a kid, you don’t need to be threatened with a placement.”
Young leader Jacob Mckirdy is talking about the foster care system and the needs of children and youth who experienced this complicated entity. Read how he and other young leaders participate in Lincoln Legislative Days to make their voices heard about their passions.
This year’s Youth Legislative Days took place over Zoom. From Feb. 6-8, young people from all over Nebraska had the opportunity to make their voices heard, network, and learn about our legislative system. This year’s event featured a mix of young leaders from the Governor’s Youth Advisory Council (GYAC) as well as participants of Nebraska Children’s Connected Youth Initiative (CYI). Read more.
More than 50 young people from across the state gathered for the Nebraska Children’s annual Legislative Days at Camp Carol Joy Holling in February to learn about the legislative process and voice their opinions on bills before the legislature. The…
Written by GYAC members Ina Bhoopalam and Jennifer Wang On Friday, February 3, members of the Governor’s Youth Advisory Council (GYAC) arrived in Ashland, Nebraska, to participate in an immersive experience about government and leadership. What is Legislative Day? Legislative…
Written with GYAC members Tanya Wasson and Ina Bhoopalam Each year, members of the Governor’s Youth Advisory Council, or GYAC, come together for Legislative Days – a collaborative weekend gathering for GYAC and Connected Youth Initiative members to come together…
Proposed 2018-19 Federal Budget eliminates funding for afterschool President Trump recently released his first federal budget proposal, in which he proposed elimination of the only dedicated source of federal funding for afterschool and summer programs, the 21st Century Community Learning Center Program.…
This month’s CYI roundup brings lots of Learn and Earn to Achieve Potential (LEAP) activity, site visits, and a renewed youth interest in legislation. Read on to see what we’ve been up to over the past month. National LEAP partners…
Growing the Good Life 