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 Young people sometimes feel they are left without choices.
For foster youth served by Peace4Kids in South Los Angeles – moved from home to home throughout their young lives –are often left feeling that they have no voice and no choice. No voice or choice about where they live, about what they do, or about their future.
Peace4Kids is dedicated to helping youth discover both their voice and choice. On Saturday, October 4, Democracy Day at Peace4Kids was just one step toward the maturation of our youth into future leaders in our community.
Peace4Kids empowered youth and teens to explore their greatest right as American citizens: making their voice heard through voting, regardless of their familial situations. Peace4Kids used this important occasion to honor Former California State Senator John Burton – who actively represented children during his time in Sacramento, and continues to help them through the John Burton Foundation – with the Peace in Service Award.
The day’s activities included a healthy, All-American lunch, sponsored by the wonderful people at Whole Foods, followed by a talk with John Burton on his years of service and a presentation by current campaigners, who taught youth about elements that go into a political campaign. The day was additionally sponsored by UPS and One Giving. Although many of the teens are not old enough to vote, they encouraged many community members to come out and register through a traditional honk-and-wave voter registration rally. The teens got many community members to sign up with the registration volunteers that were on hand, including a 57 year old woman who had never voted in any election before!
In addition to the educational programs and registration rally, there was a short performance by one of Peace4Kids’ young poets, and performers from the Peapod Academy, which is a program created and sponsored by the Black Eyed Peas, and run by Peace4Kids.
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