FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 03, 2023
Contact: Emma Bittner
(972) 510-3395 | Emma.Bittner@younginvincibles.org
Young Invincibles’s Young Advocates Educate Lawmakers in Springfield on Key Issues Impacting Young Adults in Illinois
(Springfield, IL) – On Wednesday and Thursday, Young Invincibles’s Midwest office traveled with their Young Advocates Program (YAP) cohort to the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield to advocate for the needs of young adults in Illinois.
Advocates, ages 18-34 from across Illinois, met with their legislators to share their stories on how higher education, health care, and workforce-related policies actually impact their lives. Additionally, four Advocates testified in front of the Illinois House Higher Education-Appropriations Committee, detailing how underfunding the Monetary Award Program denied them financial aid, and how their mental health struggles strain their ability to complete college. They were met with a rare round of applause from legislators, who expressed their enthusiasm for having the Advocates speak out. They asked all legislators to learn about the issues outlined in YI Midwest’s 2023 Policy Priorities.
The two-day event allowed the Advocates to apply the legislative advocacy, leadership, and research skills they have learned through YAP. YI’s hallmark program provides a paid opportunity for 10-15 young adults in Illinois to spend 12 weeks learning how to become strong leaders in their communities by sharpening their advocacy, research, and organizing skills. YI Midwest has run YAP since the fall of 2019.
In response, Lily Rocha, Midwest Regional Director for Young Invincibles said:
“Our Advocates were nothing short of amazing. Young Illinoisans traveled to Springfield to connect directly with their elected officials and speak passionately about their concerns. Margarita, Toni, Khushbu, and Nayeli bravely testified in front of legislators, vulnerability opening up about the struggles students face–and the funding solutions that legislators must enact. Uplifting the voices of young adults is YI’s mission, and our Advocates went to Springfield to show everyone just how powerful they really are.”
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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