Youth Advocacy Day 2018

System Reform
Asia Ruff

January 26th was Youth Advocacy Day, or YAD! It’s the culminating event of Mockingbird’s advocacy cycle. Every year, people from all corners of the state gather in Olympia for YAD because it’s a great chance to meet likeminded people, talk to your legislator, and take a stand for young people across the state — and this year was no different.

When the doors of the United Churches of Olympia down the street from the Capitol campus opened, it wasn’t five minutes before participants began to arrive, more than 300 this year. Folks were greeted with Mockingbird’s signature orange scarves, nametags, warmth, and directions to breakfast and hot coffee downstairs. After that was the opening program. MC’ed this year by Network Representatives Johnathan and Sierra, the program included speeches and skits to orient the whole, huge group to the purpose of YAD. Yakima Chapter Leader, Jade, talked about the importance of expanding the Passport to College Promise Scholarship; Olympia Chapter Leader, Bri, used her story to take a stand against the use of detention for status offenses; Angel, now a Network Representative, illustrated the need to strengthen Extended Foster Care.

To wrap up the opening program a group of Network Reps preformed a skit that laid out how to plan and execute a meeting with a policymaker. It was short and sweet because there was no time to waste! Then, it was time for the groups to convene and roll into the next part of YAD — the meetings themselves.

Policy Leads lined the walls in numerical order and, in a five-minute storm, participants scrambled across the church

Youth rally and march around the State Capitol advocating

for changes to the foster and homeless systems

Rallying on the steps of the State Capitol	Marching and chanting for legislative change
Marching and chanting for legislative change	Meeting with policy makers

sanctuary to find their groups. Once together, groups have only two things between them and their policymaker: preparing for the meeting and making it to the meeting location. With the skit from the opening ceremony, tools provided in a packet and their passion; preparing is easier than it sounds. Jim Theofelis, Mockingbird’s founder, has a motto that is always reinforced at YAD: “If you work hard, prepare, and speak from the heart, it will be perfect today.”

50 legislative meetings took place. Young people with lived experience, their friends, family and community partners put a face to issues that plague those experiencing foster care and youth homelessness. After the meetings, we had our traditional rally on the steps of the Legislative Building.

Representative Kilduff and Representative Pettigrew spoke at our rally about the importance and impact of youth voice. Inspired, the group took off from the steps and marched around the Capitol campus. “Give us attention, not detention!” The group chanted through campus, getting the attention of folks in blue and grey pantsuits. “Education for every nation!” Cars honked from the street in support. “Let us be in EFC!” The rain was pouring, but our fire could not be extinguished. We ended the day with dance, music from the Bridge Program, Johnathan and Sierra’s closing words and our traditional Meconi’s subs, with a side of great conversation.

All in all, YAD 2018 proved to be another successful demonstration of youth-led advocacy. Our success is in the sauce and our sauce is every one of you. Yes, you! It’s your partnership, your passion for youth and your voice that makes the change Mockingbird strives for, possible. Thank you for making YAD great, once again!

[All YAD Photos: Michael B. Maine]	(Right) Jade Tillequots shares her experience of needing financial and social supports in seeking a post-secondary degree       (Left) Long time supporters, YouthCare, show up strong to support YAD 2018