Pushing Policy for Youth Advocacy

Learning Objectives

Today’s youth are engaging and influencing politics and policy like never before.  It’s our responsibility to provide a platform where young people can communicate the issues that impact their lives most.

In this one-hour virtual event, you will:

• Hear conversations between  youth and community leaders.
• Learn how state and local leaders can elevate the voices and stories of today’s youth.
• Experience strategies that work to engage youth to bring about meaningful change.

Panelists

Salaam Bhatti
Director at Virginia Hunger Solutions
Salaam Bhatti is the public benefits attorney at the Virginia Poverty Law Center. He worked to get the largest increase in cash assistance to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients in state history and repeal the bans on public benefits for those who have drug felonies.

Cheyenne Estep – Moderator
High School Student in Mount Jackson, VA

Matthew Shapiro
Founder & CEO at 6 Wheels Consulting
As a person with a disability, Matthew Shapiro has spent most of his life motivated to teach those he has met how to better understand the disability community and inclusion. Through this work it has become his life’s mission to educate others regarding disability related issues. With this thought in mind, in December of 2014, he created 6 Wheels Consulting. Working with those in both the private and public sectors he hopes to expand their understanding of disabilities and inclusion to give them the tools they can use in any environment. Matthew has had the privilege of sitting on numerous disability boards and speaking at a variety of conferences both locally and nationally.

C.J. Stermer – Host
Sr Dir of Education at Rescue Agency
C.J. is a community advocate who develops programs to share knowledge within our field and inspire public health organizations to increase access to healthy behaviors for all communities.