Los Angeles,CA – On Saturday, February 18, 2017, CAUSE participated in the Arsalyn Youth Forum’s Mini-Conference: “Let’s Stop Running FROM Office” at the University of Southern California. The event was was organized by Student Advocates for Voter Empowerment (SAVE). This student group encourages youth to engage in politics and is managed by Arsalyn Program of Ludwick Family Foundation. Every year, the SAVE students organize this civic engagement conference to inspire the next generation of political leaders to get involved at an early age and to encourage their peers to understand the importance of political participation.
Over 100 youth from a variety of backgrounds participated in the conference. Students represented high schools ranging from cities such as Arcadia, Bell Gardens, El Monte, Rosemead and South El Monte. CAUSE hosted the “How to Run for Local Politics” workshop, which gave students the tools to get involved in local politics at an early age and to prepare to run for office in the future. The workshops were led by Joshua Alegado and Tanya Edmilao, Program Coordinators of CAUSE. The students shared their top issue priorities, including protecting the environment, increasing funds for public education, and achieving gender and racial equality.
Students participated in a civic engagement exercise that helped them identify which parts of government could address their concerns. Most importantly, the students completed a political career simulation game. In this game, participants learned about various ways to get politically involved during their high school, college and early career stages. Participants were inspired to take initiative by either volunteering for political campaigns, interning at a legislative office, or by getting involved in political clubs and student organizations. Students were encouraged to start at the local levels of government to gain the experience and key networks of community support necessary to political leadership.
“I had a great time participating in this workshop!
I am definitely encouraged to pursue a career in politics.”
–Participant, Arsalyn Youth Forum’s Mini-Conference: “Let’s Stop Running FROM Office”