Effectively Engaging Your Elected Officials: Sharing Your Voice From DC to Your Hometown
Engaging with our elected representatives can be an intimidating and oftentimes confusing prospect. Join former Legislative Director to Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, Julie Gutierrez, and youth empowerment activist, Krisken Lewis, as they break down the best ways to communicate with elected officials and share your voice at the local, state and federal levels. Share experiences with one another and brainstorm ideas for the best ways to reach out leading up to the election. Access resources for civic engagement and groups working locally and nationally to increase participation in the political process. Learn how you can get involved and even run for office yourself! We look forward to a rich conversation about amplifying our impact in our neighborhoods, towns and cities!
About Julie
Julie Gutierrez, Vocies of Tomorrow Empowered (VOTE) Program Founder
Julie Gutierrez is a youth advocacy program founder, NYU and Hunter College alumna, former Capitol Hill staffer and Associate Director of Development and Alumni Affairs at Oakwood Friends School. Her combined interests in teen empowerment, political advocacy and arts activism led her to create Voices of Tomorrow Empowered (VOTE), a free, two week summer youth advocacy program for racially diverse, economically disadvantaged teens from the Hudson Valley and NYC. Now in its 17th year, the program empowers young people by teaching them the tools of advocacy through the arts and fostering an early interest in and commitment to civic participation. Julie does this work because she is passionate about connecting young people to opportunities to create positive change in their communities.
When she has (rare!) free time from her two rambunctious, lovable boys, Julie enjoys gardening, cooking with friends and enjoying all that the Hudson Valley has to offer.
About Krisken
Krisken Lewis, Direct Support Care, Alumna and Program Coordinator for Voices of Tomorrow Empowered (VOTE).
Krisken Lewis is currently a full time direct support care professional. She also is an alumna of and Program Coordinator for Voices of Tomorrow Empowered (VOTE) VOTE. Krisken loves working with local youth, mentoring, teaching and encouraging them to be the voice of change in their community and life. She uses life experiences, art, music, poetry and nature to help the young people find their voice and express what they have to say. "In my line of work over the years I have discovered that even when working with different ages and levels of abilities, everyone has something to say. Everyone else has to be patient and open to see/hear the message."
When Krisken isn't working at her full time job or mentoring young people she is enjoying the joys of motherhood. She is a mom to five beautiful children that she strives everyday to positively guide in their journey of independence.