This July, two peer educators from the Seriously Talking About Responsible Sex (S.T.A.R.S.) program in Columbia County attended the 2009 Youth Organizing & Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. They were accompanied throughout the three-day conference by Columbia County S.T.A.R.S Peer Education Facilitator, Nicole Dallas.Their attendance was sponsored by a scholarship from Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
In keeping with PPFA's strategic plan to engage an active community of young leaders, the conference brought around 200 teens and young people 15-24 years of age to Washington, DC from July 15 to 17, 2009. Participants had opportunities to meet and network with youth leaders of high school and college age beyond their home affiliates and campuses, and to participate in the broader reproductive justice movement. The conference focussed on organizing and advocacy skills and included a lobby day where students joined with Planned Parenhood adult activists to lobby Congress on issues related to health care reform. Conference organizers believe this was "a great opportunity to build and develop leadership skills to become the next generation of Planned Parenthood movers and shakers."
Those who attended on scholarship have also received assignments to take back to their communities. Over the summer, they will be expected to reach out to other youth and adults in their community about health care reform and engage more activists in the effort to ensure that affordable, quality reproductive health services remain a critical part of any new health care plan. Check back later this summer to hear our peer educators' reports on their local assignments!
Pictured above: Representative Scott Murphy with Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood and Planned Parenthood Mohawk Hudson educators, peer-educators and staff in Washington, D.C.
