New Deal for Youth Online Action Hub
November Week of Action
Our Time Is Now! How to Put Youth in Power
Take Action with Us!
Here are four ways you can take action virtually:
Step 1: SEND A LETTER TO CONGRESS
Co-Sponsor the Young Adult Tax Credit Act. The Young Adult Tax Credit Act would create a universal $500 monthly payment for all 18-24-year-olds in the United States.
As part of our ND4Y demands, we envision a world where the economy is designed to uplift all young people and abolish structural barriers; race, gender, ability, or citizenship status does not determine access to opportunities; and policies support young people and their families in times of scarcity, whether that’s through food, housing, or financial assistance. Policy items like the Young Adult Tax Credit Act can help us create a future where young people are financially supported. Changemakers provided feedback on this bill that was incorporated into the text!
Co-Sponsor the Green New Deals in Schools Act. Rep. Bowman’s office consulted multiple youth-led organizations, including ND4Y, when developing this legislation! It would revitalize the K-12 education system, upgrade every public school building in the country, and reduce hazardous pollution. As part of our ND4Y demands, we demand access to healing-centered, culturally responsive physical and mental health care that responds to the health impacts of climate change, ensuring that new policies don’t create or exacerbate health inequities. We also demand an end to the criminalization of students of color and push out policies, and better schools with the resources they need to achieve educational equity. Policies like the Green New Deal in Schools Act can help us create a future rooted in environmental justice, where all students can thrive in their schools.
Co-Sponsor the Connecting Youth to Jobs Act. This bill would fund subsidized employment programs by directly connecting young people to jobs and support services. The Connecting Youth to Jobs Act (CYJA) also prioritizes youth and young adults who have been systematically excluded from economic opportunity. As part of our ND4Y prioritizes an economy where youth have access to paid and meaningful workforce opportunities and wraparound services. One way the federal government can achieve this is through the creation of paid subsidized employment opportunities for youth. CYJA would establish a $10 billion competitive grant for community organizations to provide wraparound services to youth employment program participants. Our New Deal for Youth Changemakers provided direct feedback on this bill and were included throughout the legislative process.
Check out our Legislative Advocacy strategies here, then submit a pre-written email to your congressional representative to support the bill:
Step 2: SEND AN EMAIL TO THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Join us in asking the Office of the President to increase accountability across the federal government to young people with lived experience or who will be directly impacted by policies and programs by requiring consultation with youth leaders as proposals are developed and implemented, in addition to other administrative asks through the White House Contact form. Click on the link below and copy and personalize the following message in the “What would you like to say?” section.
Dear President Biden,
A New Deal for Youth (ND4Y) is a youth-led, youth-centered effort advocating for the creation of new systems, policies, investments, and structures that reimagine life for young people in America. Through defining and advancing a transformational and holistic agenda that addresses the urgent challenges young people are facing due to COVID-19, the economic downturn, and structural racism, A New Deal for Youth Changemakers, partners, and allies are developing visionary policy proposals and community solutions that help shape public discourse and that decision-makers at the federal, state, and local levels and in the private sector can implement to address this crisis.
ND4Y works across six issue areas: economic justice and opportunity, healing and well-being, justice and safe communities, democracy and civic engagement, environmental justice, and immigration justice.
I am writing to you on behalf of the New Deal for Youth initiative to take action and sign onto our New Deal for Youth Demands:
- Increase accountability across the federal government to young people with lived experience or who will be directly impacted by policies and programs by requiring consultation with youth leaders as proposals are developed and implemented.
- The Administration should build a pipeline for young people to be directly involved in policy making – such as through targeted, paid internships, fellowships, and leadership summits. Sustained investments help to avoid tokenism.
Work with us to address our top asks that can be found below and on our website, https://newdealforyouth.org/our-strategies/#administrative, under “Federal Administrative Advocacy.”
Step 3: DONATE FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE ATLANTA SOLIDARITY FUND
The City of Atlanta is attempting to build the largest police training facility in the U.S. by destroying a local forest that offers critical environmental benefits for the city. The plans include military-grade training facilities, a mock city to practice urban warfare, dozens of shooting ranges, and a Black Hawk helicopter landing pad. Local activists who have led the fight to #STOPCOPCITY have faced political persecution from state and local leaders, including criminal indictments and voter suppression tactics. It is critically important to ensure that these activists have the resources to continue to resist the City’s efforts to expand its carceral footprint. We believe that national change starts locally.
As part of our ND4Y demands, we believe we must re-envision what safety and justice is with the abolition of oppressive systems, including harmful tactics like Cop City, at the center. Join us in supporting this effort.
Step 4: SIGN ON TO OUR ND4Y DEMANDS
For more than two years, A New Deal for Youth Changemakers from across the country have been working to develop policy ideas and solutions around the issues that most impact their lives. We’ve developed thirty-six demands across our six core areas: economic justice and opportunity, healing and well-being, justice and safe communities, democracy and civic engagement, environmental justice, and immigration justice.
Now we need your support so that we can continue the work to create new systems, policies, investments, and structures that reimagine life for young people in America.
JOIN US
- Administrative Advocacy Day (join us online)
- Mural Painting (join us in person)
- Block Party & Open Mic (join us in person)
Legislative Advocacy: Hill Day
Changemakers & Partners Only
Thursday, October 6 from 12:00 to 5:00 pm ET, our New Deal for Youth Changemaker delegation will be advocating for our legislative agenda with members of Congress. The Hill visits will be both virtual and in-person in Washington, D.C. The Hill Day will include a morning training session and an evening happy hour reception networking event.
Location: United States Capitol Office Buildings and Virtual
Register Here (Changemakers & Partners Only).
Administrative Advocacy: Summit
Open to all
Join us online on Friday, October 7 from 10am to 1pm ET for an Administrative Advocacy Summit where we will be sharing our priorities with members of the Biden-Harris Administration and learn how the Biden-Harris Administration can positively impact the future of young people.
Location: Virtual
Register Here
Attend our D.C. Block Party
Open to all
Join us on Saturday, October 8 from 11am to 3pm ET for our in-person Block Party and open mic in D.C. This family friendly event will include live music, games, youth-led organizations, vendors, donation drive, open mic, and more.
Location: D.C., Venue address will be updated soon.
Register Here
Paint a Mural on MLK
Open to all
Join us on Sunday, October 9th from 9am to 12pm ET as we finalize our second ND4Y mural. Music, storytelling workshop, and #artforchange! No previous mural experience necessary.
Location: One DC 2500 MLK Jr. Ave SE Washington, DC 20020
Register Here