POLICY AND ADVOCACY
FROM STUDENTS TO LAWMAKERS
We Got Us teaches young people that their experiences and ideas belong in the rooms where decisions are made.
FROM COMMUNITY CONCERNS TO PUBLIC POLICY
East Orange students helped develop the peer-to-peer mental health model and a youth-authored policy brief.
Newark students joined through the Be the Changemakers Law Academy, where they studied how government works, how legislation is drafted, and how young people can influence public policy.
Together, approximately 100 students traveled to Washington, D.C., and presented the proposed:
EAST ORANGE
↓
NEWARK
↓
WASHINGTON, D.C.
WE GOT US YOUTH PEER-TO-PEER MENTAL HEALTH AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT ACT
The proposal calls for investments in:
Peer Mental Health Ambassadors
Arts-as-healing programs
Earn-and-learn opportunities
School-based healing circles
Early intervention
Community wellness initiatives
Safe spaces for young people
Youth leadership development
Youth-led events such as We Got Us Day
IMPACT STORIES
YOUNG VOICES IN THE ROOMS WHERE DECISIONS ARE MADE
The students presented their vision to Congresswoman LaMonica McIver and members of Senator Cory Booker’s legislative office.
The movement is now continuing the work of developing proposed statewide legislation for New Jersey.
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