McDermott and World Vision

In 2009, the Seattle YEP delegates met with Congressman Jim McDermott to express their support for the Youth Promise Act, World Vision’s endorsed legislation that addresses the issue of youth violence prevention. With some 2,500 proposals before the House of representatives, McDermott had not heard of the bill until his meeting with the YEP delegates. After listening to their pitch, he was so impressed that he investigated the bill and co-signed it the very next day. The Youth Promise Act passed by a 17 to 14 vote in the House Judiciary Committee. Unfortunately, the bill expired in the Senate and has to be re-introduced.

In 2009, Chicago delegates met with a legislative aide for Congressman Bobby Rush, who shared information with them on the “Can Do Act.” This youth violence prevention legislation addresses the same issues these YEP delegates shared in their policy recommendation; increased job opportunities for youth, better after-school opportunities and tighter gun laws. Congressman Rush invited the Chicago YEP delegates to assist with advocating the bill at the local level.

And in 2008, New York delegates impressed Congressman Jose Serrano with their recommendation that would require teen parents to take parenting classes in an effort to reduce violence and improve home life of young people in their community. New York YEP delegates continued to follow up with Serrano’s district office to further develop their proposals. In 2009 and 2010, these youth turned their focus on the issue of teen pregnancy, launching a successful advocacy campaign designed to educate the public on teen pregnancy.