Last month, our staff and youth advocates gathered in Sacramento to meet with legislators at the state capitol. It’s an annual practice, what we call Lobby Day. And while JBAY maintains a singular focus on advocating for foster youth and young people who have experienced homelessness, we’re joined by hundreds of other Californians, fighting for causes ranging from animal welfare to environmental conservation. It’s a hopeful, energizing day.
This was the first Lobby Day for two JBAY Youth Advocates, Izel Casillas and Katrina White, who met with legislators and their staff members and rallied crucial support for this year’s slate of policy and budget priorities.
Here are some reflections Izel and Katrina shared with us afterward:
Izel: It was a really packed back-to-back day. JBAY staff broke out into different groups to work with youth advocates. We each all had our own little missions, going out, scouting different assembly members’ rooms, and talking to legislative staff.
Katrina: It was amazing to see behind the scenes – like how legislators decorate their offices to show the areas of the state they’re representing. I was shocked to see pictures of my city, San Diego, on the walls in Sacramento. I could tell the representatives were really keyed into their purpose to make change all over the state.
Izel: In our meetings, I talked about cost of attendance and how it doesn’t take into account what students coming out of foster care might need. College is actually so much more expensive than it seems. And if you’re a foster youth, you don’t have as much to fall back on. You’re often financially supporting yourself. I had to purchase everything I needed for college and dorm life, including pillows, bed sheets, clothing, a computer, and a bike.
Katrina: Lobby Day expanded my horizons. Growing up, I never really thought about how policies are made. I heard about politics here and there, but I never thought I could be in those offices, meeting with policymakers and helping create change for people in my own community.
Izel: It feels very meaningful, like these aren’t just bills we’re trying to pass. They all relate to something bigger. We saw that sharing about our lives and personal experiences can definitely help get more support for youth who need it.
We are grateful to Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens (D-Silicon Valley), Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles), Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez (D-San Fernando), and Assemblymember Chris Ward (D-San Diego), the authors and champions of the five proposals JBAY is sponsoring this year, for leading the charge in support of foster youth and youth who have experienced homelessness across California.
Letters of support for many of our bills are due this week. If you would like to join us in raising your voice, visit Advocate With Us to find downloadable templates and sign your name.