KYOSA ADVOCACY

Elizabeth and Diala, students from Somerset Independent Schools, may not have known what to expect when they boarded a bus to Washington, D.C. but they knew one thing - they knew that their out-of-school time program was important to them. So important, that they were willing to endure 24+ hours on a bus, 8+ hours of advocacy training, and countless steps around Washington to share their stories and concerns with their legislators.

Like dozens of other out-of-school time advocates from Kentucky, their day of advocacy (April 20, 2010) began early with a meet and greet with Senator Mitch McConnell on the steps of the Senate building. By late afternoon, they had walked miles around the Capitol, met with a number of Kentucky's legislators, and found themselves in the office of one of Kentucky's leading congressmen, Rep. Hal Rogers.

Rep. Rogers learned that the out-of-school time programs in his district keep kids safe, inspire learning, and help working families. Elizabeth and Diala shared their personal experiences with their 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) along with Ms. Alexis Vaughn, Coordinator of Somerset Independent 21st CCLC. "The needs are so great, I have a student who often arrives at school at around 6:40 a.m. for Algebra tutoring," said Ms. Vaughn.

"It was advocacy at its finest - a group of citizens sharing their knowledge and experiences with a Representative who was willing to listen and learn about the concerns of his constituents," said Phyllis Elger, KYOSA Coordinator. "After hearing the stories and the importance of afterschool programs, Rep. Rogers agreed to sign on to the Afterschool for All Caucus. He has always been a strong supporter of youth related issues so we are very pleased to have him as a member of the House caucus."

We just ordered a larger bus! And, though we are packing in children, youth, parents, and chaperones in like sardines, the excitement is mounting as we gear up for our 3rd Annual Afterschool for All Challenge in Washington, D.C. There are so many stories to share with our legislators about the wonderful out-of-school time programs in Kentucky and regrettably, the lack of programs in area of great need. Dozens of youth, out-of-school time providers, and parents want to ensure that Kentucky's Congressional leaders know both the benefits and the importance of before school programs, afterschool programs, and summer learning programs for families across the Commonwealth.

"Advocacy training by the national Afterschool Alliance will be provided for the youth and they will be up front and center when we meet with our Representatives and Senators," said Phyllis Elder, Alliance Coordinator. "We've found that there is nothing more powerful than a young person sharing their personal experience with an out-of-school time program."

Support us from home; simply call your Congressional leader to share your story about the importance of our-of-school time for your family. Visit the KYOSA Resource Map to find county specific information about legislators, their contact information, and out-of-school time programs in your area.

May 2009: Eighteen members of the Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance, including nine youth, traveled to Washington, D.C. April 25-28, 2009 to meet with Congressional leaders and advocate for the support of out-of-school time programs for children and youth in Kentucky. The advocacy efforts were part of the eighth annual Afterschool for All Challenge sponsored by the Afterschool Alliance.

"The Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance has found that some of our most powerful advocacy tools are the stories of individual children and youth. That is why we felt it was critical that Kentucky's Senators and Congressmen heard, firsthand, about the importance of out-of-school time programs from the children themselves," said Phyllis Elder, Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance Coordinator. "Nine youth from across the Commonwealth joined us on the trip to share their personal experiences and learned just how powerful their voices are. For many of the youth, this trip not only helped them to experience civic duty and responsibility, it helped them to recognize that their voice matters and that their congressional leaders care about what they have to say."

The group met with Congressman Brett Guthrie and legislative aides from the offices of Senator Jim Bunning and Congressmen John Yarmuth and Hal Rogers to gain their commitment to sign onto the After School for all Cacus. The group also met with and presented Congressmen Ben Chandler and Ed Whitfield, with the 2009 Kentucky Out-of-School Time Champion Legislative Award because they signed onto the After School for all Caucus during our 2008 visit.

June 2008: "It was amazing. My congressmen took the time to listen to what I had to say and cared enough to help!" Paige Hudman, an 8th grade student and afterschool champion from Lawrenceburg, KY, found herself in an place many advocates can only dream of - in arms reach of some of Kentucky's most powerful and influential congressional leaders.

In honor of the seventh annual Afterschool for All Challenge, Paige along with nine other children from across Kentucky and fourteen adult advocates made a trip to Washington, D.C. in May. The group representing Kentucky Afterschool Network went to educate and inform congressional leaders as to the benefits of afterschool programs and the challenges they face.

Soon after, Paige would learn that her words did make a difference. Not one, but two of Kentucky's Congressman, Representative Ben Chandler and Representative Edward Whitfield signed on to participate in the Afterschool for All Congressional Caucus, a bipartisan group of legislators who have joined forces to build support, raise public awareness and to increase resources for quality afterschool programs.

As part of the advocacy efforts, the group met with numerous legislators including: Senator Mitch McConnell, Representative Ben Chandler, Representative Geoff Davis, Representative Hal Rogers, and Representative Edward Whitfield. We were also able to meet with legislative aides from the offices of Senator Bunning.

Phyllis Elder, Kentucky Afterschool Network Coordinator stated, "We feel honored that Representative Chandler and Representative Whitfield not only took the time to listen to each of our personal stories and experiences, they asked questions and - after all was said and done - they understood the need for a voice representing Kentucky's children in the Afterschool for All Congressional Caucus."

Since its inception in 2008, the Kentucky Afterschool Network has grown to 245 stakeholders - an increase of 400% in a matter of months - and is working to ensure that our state's children and youth have access to quality afterschool programs by creating a sustainable state-wide structure that will influence local, state and national policy. By joining the national caucus, Representative Chandler and Representative Whitfield, will represent over 121,000 students - like Paige - and the working families across Kentucky who depend on afterschool programming. It's a first step - a big step - in what promises to be a long and rewarding journey to help Kentucky's children.

March 2010: How do you get legislators to listen? It was the first question asked of the young participants of the KYOSA Advocacy 101 training. The unexpected answer filled the room with laughter. "Just like you do parents - beg and bug," said Phyllis Elder, Alliance Coordinator. While veteran out-of-school time advocates recognized the humor in such a simple analogy, they also see the validity in the approach. The strategy of begging and bugging has long served advocates well over the years. However, participants of the KYOSA training soon learned there is more to advocacy than being a pest. Phyllis went on to explain that true advocacy is about building a relationship with legislators in order to educate and inform them of the benefits of out-of-school time programs.

KYOSA's Advocacy 101 training invited youth from across the Commonwealth to contact their legislators and were encouraged to share their personal stories with the very men and women who can help to ensure sustainability of out-of-school time programs with state and national funding streams. The training empowered youth to speak out about what matters to them and their families - their out-of-school time program, fun-filled safe environments in which they can learn and build skills for their future. "There can be no doubt that the youth who attended out training found their voice," said Phyllis. "It will be exciting to see who is listening over at the Capitol."