Shoestring Students Speak Out For Children Worldwide in Washington DC
Media Release – March 8, 2017
Advocacy Day 2017: Jackson, Mississippi, Youth to Speak Out for Children Worldwide in Washington, DC
On March 24, 2017, eight Mississippi high school students will meet with members of Congress on Capitol Hill, at ChildFund International’s Advocacy Day 2017: Mississippi Youth Speak Out for Children Worldwide.
The students are Youth Ambassadors who receive intensive leadership and civic engagement training through a pilot program of Operation Shoestring, a Jackson, Mississippi-based community organization, and ChildFund International in partnership with Jackson Public Schools. P&G is sponsoring the students’ participation in Advocacy Day.
Joining ChildFund staff from around the world, the young people will meet with members of Congress and their staff to advocate for the well-being of children and youth both locally and globally, calling on representatives to protect the U.S. International Affairs budget, to pass the bipartisan Reinforcing Education Accountability in Development (READ) Act, and to end violence against children.
“We have a voice, too,” said Nadeia, 15, one of the Youth Ambassadors. “The way I look at it, just because we’re young doesn’t mean our voice doesn’t matter. We’re the future. Our voice should count.”
“The Youth Ambassadors have been researching and refining their case for weeks, and are looking forward to putting their advocacy training into practice for the benefit of Jackson, Mississippi, and young people around the globe,” said Robert Langford, executive director at Operation Shoestring. “We are delighted to see our students have the chance to exercise the power they have to make a difference in such a clear, compelling way — and on a global scale.”
“At ChildFund, we believe that young people have what it takes to change their world,” said Anne Lynam Goddard, President and CEO of ChildFund International. “These students from Mississippi know their rights, and they are raising their voices at the highest levels. I look forward to joining them on this important day.”
A reception from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill will cap off the day. Speakers will include Youth Ambassador Latoya Washington, ChildFund’s Anne Goddard, President and CEO of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition Liz Schrayer, and Allison Tummon Kamphuis, Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program Leader from P&G.
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About ChildFund International
ChildFund International partners with communities throughout Asia, Africa and the Americas —including the United States — to create lasting, positive change for children. Our programs address the underlying conditions that prevent children and youth from achieving their full potential. Last year, we reached almost 18 million children and family members. Approximately 200,000 Americans support our work by sponsoring individual children or investing in ChildFund programs. We belong to a global network of 11 organizations, ChildFund Alliance, serving children in more than 50 countries. Together, we advocate for the protection and well-being of all children. Find out more at www.childfund.org.
About Operation Shoestring
Founded in 1968, Operation Shoestring educates, inspires, and empowers children and families in our central Jackson community to create holistic community transformation. We do this by providing holistic services in youth development, economic empowerment, and health, both directly and by leveraging the power of community partnerships to offer services outside our core strengths. Our services include afterschool and summer programs for children and teens, leadership training and civic engagement for teens, life-skills workshops for families, and more. We believe that the health and wellbeing of our service community impacts the health and wellbeing of all of Jackson. In other words, We All Rise Together. Find out more at www.operationshoestring.org