WCA eBulletin #7 – Project 2020: Speak Up! Speak Out! was a success!

On July 21st, WCA hosted a youth-led virtual event focused on civic engagement and community change called “Project 2020: Speak Up! Speak Out!” Sponsored in part by the Westchester Community Foundation, this event was an opportunity for youth ages 15 to 21 to make their concerns and efforts for change known, respond to current social and racial injustices, and advance WCA’s Project 2020 initiative to involve young people in community decision making.  Over 70 young people attended the event on Zoom with the support of representatives of partner organizations and elected officials.  We successfully provided a forum for youth speakers to make their voices heard and had youth leaders facilitate the event’s smaller breakout room discussions.

Youth speakers were able to meet and talk directly to County Executive George L. Latimer, Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins, and Chairman of Board of Legislators Benjamin Boykin II.  They all joined in at the end of the event to answer youth questions directly, listen to their concerns, and share how they will support their priorities such as race equity and police brutality. The elected officials encouraged young people to work with them to be specific about their goals, develop concrete actions, and translate speaking up directly to community change.

Following the event, many young people shared that they felt empowered, informed, and eager to collaborate directly with Westchester and community leaders through our post-event survey. In fact, 82% of participants felt that ‘Project 2020: Speak Up! Speak Out!’ helped them learn advocacy and speaking to their communities. We are excited to continue to provide spaces and support to young people across Westchester and offer resources from the event below.

 

 

 

 

Stay tuned for more information and opportunities by

Project 2020 Toolkits

WCA has Toolkits for more detail on:

Register or Pre-Register to Vote

If you are 18, you can register to vote. Encourage your friends and family to register as well. Use the “Registering to Vote” Toolkit for help.

If you have a Department of Motor Vehicles license, permit, or ID you can register online with this form: https://dmv.ny.gov/more-info/electronic-voter-registration-application. More options through the Board of Elections: https://www.elections.ny.gov/VotingRegister.html

If you are 16 or 17, you may pre-register using the same options so that you are automatically registered once you turn 18.

Election Calendar

See more key election dates here.

VOTER REGISTRATION

*Register to vote online at any time.

October 4: First day for local in-person voter registration

October 9: Last day to mail voter registration or register to vote in person

ABSENTEE VOTING

*Complete an absentee ballot application and email it to  to receive an absentee ballot if you are unable to vote in person.

October 27 – Last day to mail for an absentee ballot application

November 2 –  Last day to apply in person for an absentee ballot

November 3 –  Last day to mail or deliver election ballot in person to Board of Elections

U.S. Census

Conducted only once every 10 years, the U.S. Census determines funding for schools, programs serving communities, and legislative representation, which also shapes your ability to change laws and policies. Make sure your household, friends, neighbors, and community members take time to complete the Census. There are many options and languages available, and online is available as well. For support, visit the Contact Us page.

 

 

 

 

 

Read more WCA eBulletin #7 articles: