OCA-Greater Houston and Mi Familia Vota - Education Fund Partner to Host the 2023 Youth Advocacy Summit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 27, 2023 

Contacts: Trisha Morales  trisha.morales@ocahouston.org

   Lisa Cheng  lisa.cheng@ocahouston.org

OCA-Greater Houston and Mi Familia Vota - Education Fund Partner to Host the 2023 Youth Advocacy Summit

Houston, TX - OCA-Greater Houston and Mi Familia Vota - Education Fund are proud to announce their continuing partnership in organizing the highly anticipated 2023 Youth Advocacy Summit. This annual youth leadership program aims to educate and empower over 100 Houston-area high school students, fostering their growth as community advocates. With a focus on learning about critical issues, developing leadership and organizing skills, and engaging with elected officials at all levels of government, the Youth Advocacy Summit equips students with the necessary tools to effect positive change in their communities.

Themed "Seeds of Change," this year's Youth Advocacy Summit symbolizes the beauty and unique challenges that arise from diverse backgrounds. It highlights the growth of emerging leaders, aspiring advocates, and inspired organizers who break cycles and utilize generational wisdom to build a better future. Past participants of the summit have achieved remarkable milestones, including testifying at City Council meetings, leading voter engagement campaigns, delivering speeches at press conferences held at the Texas Capitol, and representing their communities through various impactful actions.

From June 28th to June 30th, the Youth Advocacy Summit will host a series of workshops and panels, providing students with opportunities to interact with elected officials, advocacy leaders, nonprofits, and other organizations dedicated to the betterment of the Houston community. The summit activities will take place from 10 AM to 3 PM each day at United Way (50 Waugh Dr, Houston, TX 77007). By facilitating these engagements, the summit aims to inspire and equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to actively engage in civic life. It is important to note that the Youth Advocacy Summit is open to ALL high school and early college youth who wish to participate in civic engagement.  The summit prides itself on nurturing bright leaders and scholars, with past attendees being involved in esteemed programs such as the Mayoral Leadership Council, gaining admission to top universities nationwide, and ultimately becoming catalysts for positive global change.

"The Youth Advocacy Summit provides a transformative platform for young individuals to explore their passion for civic engagement and social justice," said Lisa Cheng, Sr. Youth Organizer of OCA-Greater Houston. "By equipping them with the tools, knowledge, and networks necessary to navigate the complexities of advocacy, we believe that these emerging leaders have the potential to create lasting impact and shape a better future for themselves and their communities."

Pam Gallardo, Youth Organizer for Mi Familia Vota - Education Fund, added, "We are thrilled to collaborate with OCA-Greater Houston in organizing the 2023 Youth Advocacy Summit. By bringing together diverse perspectives and fostering dialogue, we hope to empower young individuals and provide them with a platform to amplify their voices and advocate for the issues that matter most to them."

For more information about the 2023 Youth Advocacy Summit and to register, please visit https://bit.ly/43XVGWG

OCA-Greater Houston is a volunteer-driven organization of community advocates that strives to meet the current and evolving needs of a diverse population through a comprehensive continuum of programs targeting different life stages of AAPIs with a focus on developing advocacy, leadership, and civic engagement participation of AAPIs.

Mi Familia Vota - Education Fund is a national civic engagement organization that unites Latino, immigrant, and allied communities to promote social and economic justice through citizenship workshops, voter registration, and voter participation. Mi Familia Vota has operations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, and Texas.