Overview
On Friday, November 22nd, Fall 2024 New York Young Advocates presented their campaigns at the State of Young New York (SOY NY) 2024, our annual policy summit on building a more equitable and effective higher education and health care system in New York.
Throughout the fall semester, Young Advocates built collective power and leadership through research presentations, student stories, and calls to action to leave participants with an understanding of significant issues impacting New York’s young adults, especially those from marginalized communities, promising policy solutions, and how to help foster meaningful progress and change.
Section Videos
- Introductions and Remarks
- College Basic Needs Campaign Group Presentation
- Q&A: College Basic Needs
- Higher Education Access & Equity Campaign Group Presentation
- Q&A: Higher Education Access & Equity Campaign
- Health Care Equity Campaign
- Q&A: Health Care Equity Campaign
Basic Needs Access (#RighttoThrive)
The pandemic exposed and exacerbated disparities in college students’ access to food, housing, and mental health services. With rent prices at historic highs, inflated costs for food and groceries, and numerous barriers to accessing mental health services, thousands of our young adults in college are struggling to meet their most basic human needs. How can we ensure that New York’s leaders adequately address this basic needs crisis?
Download the pdf
Higher Education Access & Equity Campaign Group (#AccessforSuccess)
Today’s students face numerous challenges, from access to completion of an affordable, high-quality higher education. College isn’t necessary for all, but equitable access to it is, especially when the majority of well-paying jobs require a postsecondary degree and students’ with a bachelors earn, on average, a million dollars more throughout their lifetime. College is our best means of promoting economic mobility. CUNY and SUNY are among the nation’s most significant engines for this, yet their enrollment rates have decreased recently. Inflated tuition and non-tuition costs are the top reasons why students avoid attending college. However, there are a variety of promising solutions that can fast-track students’ degree completion while making it more affordable and accessible.
Download the pdf
Health Care Equity (#FlexYourSmile)
Our health care system is a mess. We believe health care is a human right, yet millions of New Yorkers lack access to basic health care due to their immigration status. Medical debt affects millions of young adults and families across New York State. Hospital prices often lack transparency, non-profit hospitals lack accountability for ensuring folks who qualify for financial aid receive it, and accumulating major medical debt is a frequent reason for folks delaying or even forgoing needed treatments and procedures. Debilitating debt should never be a punishment for accessing health care.
Download the pdf
