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YOUNG ADVOCATES BOARD

Looking to make a difference in New Orleans to affect change in communities that need it most?

Want to gain experience on a board as a young professional?

Families and Friends of Louisiana’s Incarcerated Children (FFLIC) is launching the Young Advocates Board (YAB) this fall!

YAB is a group made up of professional young Louisianans committed to assisting FFLIC as it works towards creating a better life for Louisiana’s youth, especially those involved in or targeted by the juvenile justice system.

Throughout the course of FFLIC’s nearly eighteen year-long history, the organization has worked to close some of the state’s most brutal juvenile detention facilities and fought to change discriminatory, harsh, and overused school disciplinary procedures that systematically push students out of school and into prison. For FFLIC, kids should be allowed to be kids, and we endeavor to build coalitions between our youth, schools, and families that fully support the child and his/her intellectual, emotional, and physical growth. Additionally, FFLIC does courtroom outreach, doorknocking, and tabling events to provide information about our organization and services, and we offer leadership development to parents, youth, and community members so that they are better equipped to advocate for themselves and their neighbors.

The YAB offers crucial assistance to FFLIC as the organization works to implement critical local and statewide reforms. In addition to assisting with fundraising, YAB members will also learn about the education, economic, and criminal justice systems in Louisiana, volunteer for FFLIC projects, and help galvanize their friends and communities to get involved. We look forward to building a Young Advocates Board comprised of individuals from diverse professions, experiences, and backgrounds, so that we may also learn from you and your perspective on these issues.

The YAB will be comprised of two membership levels: YAB Executive Members and YAB At-Large Members.

YAB Executive Members will:

  • Serve as enthusiastic ambassadors for FFLIC;
  • Attend one FFLIC general chapter meeting annually, as well as a day trip to the Capitol to learn about FFLIC’s advocacy work and statewide impact;
  • Strive to recruit at least three new FFLIC members and/or YAB members each year;
  • Raise $500 a year, including YAB Executive Member dues of $100 annually (100% tax-deductible);
  • Buy one ticket to FFLIC’s annual gala, held each year in/around September, and sell at least five additional tickets; and
  • Volunteer for FFLIC fundraisers and events

YAB At-Large Members will:

  • Serve as enthusiastic ambassadors for FFLIC;
  • Attend one FFLIC general chapter meeting annually, as well as a day trip to the Capitol to learn about FFLIC’s advocacy work and statewide impact;
  • Pay YAB At-Large Dues of $50 annually (100% tax-deductible);
  • Buy one ticket to FFLIC’s annual gala, held each year in/around September, and sell at least one additional ticket; and
  • Volunteer for FFLIC fundraisers and events

If you are interested in learning more or in getting involved, please email Jessica Womack at jwomack@fflic.org. To join, please complete the YAB application and return to Jessica Womack at jwomack@fflic.org.