FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 09, 2024
Contact: Emma Bittner
(972) 510-3395 | Emma.Bittner@younginvincibles.org
Young Invincibles Launches Inaugural Policy Shark Tank to Empower Youth-Driven Advocacy in Colorado
(Denver, CO) – On Friday, Young Invincibles’ Rocky Mountain Office held its inaugural Policy Shark Tank, where members of the Fall 2024 Young Advocates cohort pitched innovative policy proposals on pressing issues such as higher education, health care, and workforce development that they researched and developed throughout their internship. Young Advocates presented to a panel of judges, including Representative Julia Marvin, Chris deGruy Kennedy from The Bell Policy Center, Demetria Martinez, Charles Reese Jr. from the Colorado Health Foundation, and Naomi Amaha from the Denver Foundation.
Advocates pitched policies specifically relating to the student loan options under the Colorado Loan Assistance for Students and Scholars (CLASS). This state loan program would provide lower interest rates and flexible repayment options for graduates who work in underserved or high-need areas, promoting equitable healthcare by amending HB24-1153 to require one of the 30 CME credits for medical provider licensing and relicensing to be in implicit bias training; and Medicaid mobility for college students by educating students and making the information readily available online and through FAFSA.
This year’s winning pitch, which will be added to the Young Invincible’s 2025 policy agenda, came from Citlaly Quiroz, Manuel Marquez Avalos, Ashley Garcia Torres, and Stephanie Maldonado, who proposed the Colorado Employment Pathways Support Act. This proposal aimed to create employment pathways for undocumented students after graduation in Colorado.
In response, Melanie Kesner, Rocky Mountain Regional Director at Young Invincibles, said:
“Young adult voices are vital to driving progress, and our inaugural Policy Shark Tank exemplified this perfectly. The event exceeded our expectations as we witnessed our Young Advocates present the research they dedicated themselves to over the past 12 weeks. Their insights and innovative ideas showcased young minds’ power in shaping tomorrow’s policies. We were honored to have a prestigious line-up of judges join us and commend our Young Advocates for their hard work and passion.”
In response, Citlaly Quiroz, Young Advocate and Member of the winning proposal group said:
“The policy recommendation to create employment pathways for undocumented students in Colorado is crucial, especially with the political climate expected in 2025. As national discussions on immigration intensify, there is a risk of policies limiting opportunities for these students, making it essential for Colorado to reinforce its support. While the state has made progress in providing access to higher education for undocumented students through initiatives like in-state tuition for DACA recipients, many still struggle to find employment after graduation.
This process has taught me many valuable skills, but the key takeaway is how crucial it has been to keep advocating for voices that are ignored, such as those of undocumented students, and bring light to these narratives in the places where change is being made. Winning this pitch highlights significant validation and support for a policy that means so much to us individually. It feels like a dream come true. It is inspiring to witness how a small idea can evolve into something impactful with the potential to create lasting change in Colorado—and hopefully, inspire other states to adopt a similar policy proposal like the one we have created.”
In response, Chris deGruy Kennedy, Shark Tank judge, President and CEO of the Bell Policy Center said:
“It was wonderful to experience the energy and ideas from these young advocates. While much about the future is uncertain, I feel hopeful because I know that they will be working hard to change the world.”
In response, Demetria Martinez, Shark Tank judge and YI Board Member said:
“The YI Policy Shark Tank was cup-filling. In a time when politics and policy can be disheartening, frustrating and feel as if they “aren’t for us.” The passion and fire in these young advocates could be felt in the room. They took their lived experiences, personal perspectives and turned them into policy solutions that would help others not experience the same challenges. They strived to increase equity, improve systems within health care and education that would lead to better outcomes. They all believe in the power of their voices, stories and experiences. The Policy Shark Tank was exactly what I needed in the time of transition and uncertainty. These young advocates are on fire and they are destined to have a huge impact.”
In repsonse, Naomi Amaha, Shark Tank judge and Director of Policy and Government Affairs at The Denver Foundation said:
“The Policy Shark Tank is an invaluable experience for young adults to develop a policy intervention to address a challenge facing their community. All the ideas presented reflected timely issues, were well-researched, and incorporated strategies to further equity and promote impact in Colorado.”
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Young Invincibles (YI) is a national advocacy and policy nonprofit organization focused on amplifying the voice of young people in the political process at the local, state, and federal levels. YI focuses on issues impacting young adults ages 18 to 34 in higher education, health care, economic security, and civic engagement. Our offices include Washington, D.C., California, Colorado, Illinois, New York, and Texas. For more information, please contact Emma Bittner at (972) 510-3395 or emma.bittner@younginvincibles.org