Westchester Children's Association

Let’s prepare the next generation of voters!

WCA’s Project Engage provides resources that prepare youth to vote and advocate within their community.

ANSWER: 41 million

🗳️ When we vote, we count!

WCA works to encouragea community members to advocate and vote on behalf of children in our CFK coalition and Vote for Kids campaign. Now, we also inform youth directly through our Civic Engagement Advocacy trainings and Project Engage resources.

📊Numbers keep a pulse on civic engagement!

Since 2020, NYS has allowed young people to pre-register to vote. Despite this, less than 20% of young people are pre-registered. Early registration prepares youth to be civically engaged. Tell more teens to register now!

💙Youth Well-Being, Voting is the next advocacy area being highlighted while we plan local and state budget and legislative calendars.

💚We tell youth to speak up, speak out, speak the truth. Voting remains an essential tool to advocate for one’s priorities. Let’s continue to get our youth informed and prepared to be civically active!

🌎Today is International Youth Day!

From advocacy for for homelessness prevention policies, to passing youth justice alternatives, expanding mental health resources in schools and ensuring young children access the best developmental resources, WCA continues to support children and families at every point in their life.

⭐️We join other partners and celebrating International Youth Day!

💙We advocate for informed change and support of mental health programs!

WCA’s data, community roundtable discussions, and advocacy breakfasts are only our most recent advances for mental health advocacy.

⭐️Read more on our website: https://wca4kids.org

📊Data- driven advocacy!

As seen in our 2024 Children Behind the Numbers Data Bulletin, there is a significant disproportionate ratio of mental health providers and support workers to students in Westchester County.

See more here: https://wca4kids.org/publications/data-publications/

💚Youth Well-Being, Mental Health is the next highlight of our issue overviews as we plan our local and state budget and legislative calendars.

💙Governor Hochul has committed a large sum of her budget to expanding mental health access over a multi-year period to address the increasing need of recipients and providers. WCA believes accessible, high quality programming is essential for youth development and well-being.

⭐️Read more here: https://wca4kids.org

💚Let’s connect youth to more behavioral health and well-being support opportunities.

The need for stronger and more consistent mental health supports for youth and children is greater than ever.

ANSWER: 49% (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

💚 Register now! WCA’s 2024 Advocacy Breakfast featuring award-winning poet, filmmaker, and speaker Max Stossel.

The mental health crisis is impact our children in significant ways. WCA is proud to bring the community together this year for the Kathryn Wasserman David Child Advocacy Lecture around this important topic.

⭐️Register NOW: tinyurl.com/2024AdvocacyBreakfast

💚Disconnected youth are neither in school nor working. A connection to community support systems can close the gap which disproportionately impacts Black, Hispanic, and Multiracial youth at higher rates than their peers.

ANSWER: 10% ( 2021 US Census Bureau)

📢URGENT: Tell your U.S. Senator: Expand the Child Tax Credit now!

The Senate is voting THIS THURSDAY on the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024, which expands the Child Tax Credit. We need your help to get this vital bill passed so struggling families can benefit. This expansion is key to reducing child poverty and empowering parents to support their families and our economy. Act now to make a difference!

⭐️TAKE ACTION: https://secure.everyaction.com/LDxequdAkkmKy5WEo2w-sw2?emci=7be68412-604f-ef11-86c3-6045bdd9e096&emdi=1e0593e5-6a4f-ef11-86c3-6045bdd9e096&ceid=13973506

💙Advocacy remains an essential community tool that advances the voices of those most impacted.

WCA’s legislative advocacy, data dashboards, and community rallies and stakeholder panels are only our most recent advances for youth justice advocacy.

⭐️Read more on our website: https://wca4kids.org

📊The numbers don’t lie!

As seen in our 2023 Children by the Numbers Data Bulletin, Westchester’s juvenile arrests have declined since the passage of . Policy solutions, funding, and connections to community programs must continue to safeguard young people’s futures.

See more from the data bulletin here: https://wca4kids.org/infographics/data-bulletin/2023databulletin/

💚WCA is continuing to highlight our issue overviews as we plan our local and state budget and legislative calendars.

💙Youth Justice is essential to ensure fair treatment and rehabilitation for young people involved in the justice system. By promoting alternatives to incarceration and addressing disparities, advocacy efforts aim to reduce recidivism and protect the rights of youth.

💚In the past 5 years, Westchester’s market rental rates have increased by an average $500. This rapidly increasing cost of housing makes it a struggle for families to make ends meet.

ANSWER: $2,952 (June 2023 market rent rate)

⭐️Access more data on our website: https://wca4kids.org

💙Advocacy remains an essential community tool that advances the voices of those most impacted!

WCA’s issue reports, homelessness data dashboard, Court Watchers program, and coalition involvement are several recent highlights of our extensive child and youth homelessness advocacy.

⭐️Read more on our website:

Westchester Children's Association. Children's Champions since 1914! Westchester Children's Association improves the lives of Westchester County's young people by advocating to have their needs met.

📊Proof is in the data!

As seen in our recently-launched 2024 Community Snapshots, more than half of Westchester’s households are “rent burdened,” spending a significant percentage of their income on rent.

See more from our Community Snapshots here: https://lnkd.in/emvEZRZY

📰 📫Fresh off the press, and soon to be delivered to a mailbox near you!

WCA’s August 2024 Child Watch Newsletter covers everything from our 110th Anniversary Gala, to our Commissioners Conversation, legislation outcomes, and Court Watchers findings!

⭐️Can’t wait? Access an online copy here: https://wca4kids.org/wca-august-2024-child-watch-newsletter/

💚Throughout the summer, WCA is highlighting our issue overviews as we plan our local and state budget and legislative calendars.

💙Homelessness and housing insecurity has life-altering mental, emotional, and physical implications for youth and children. Connecting families to housing resources and preventative solutions works to keep people safe, housed, and healthy.

⭐️Read more here: https://wca4kids.org

💙WCA is Hiring!

Passionate about advocacy? Excited to work with a motivated and supportive team? Apply to WCA for our Development & Operations Associate position!

Find more information here: https://wca4kids.org/about-wca/career-opportunities/

💙WCA is thrilled to welcome our new Board Member Vanessa Kaye Watson!

Vanessa has extensive experience in the legal field. Throughout her career, she has given back to her community through nonprofit board memberships, volunteerism, and mentoring.

We are thrilled to have Vanessa join WCA’s Board. Welcome!

💙WCA is thrilled to welcome our new Board Member Robert E. Mayes!

Robert is a fifth generation Westchester resident and current resident of Cortlandt. He has worked and volunteered with many community groups and has past experience with local and state government.

We are thrilled to have Robert join WCA’s Board. Welcome!

💙We want YOU to join WCA!

Passionate about advocacy? Excited to work with a motivated and supportive team? Apply to WCA for our Development & Operations Associate position!

Find more information here: https://wca4kids.org/about-wca/career-opportunities/

🇺🇸Happy 4th of July from us as WCA!

🎆Our office will be closed in observance of the holiday! We will return tomorrow.

⭐️SAVE THE DATE! OCTOBER 22, 2024!

💚WCA’s 2024 Advocacy Breakfast featuring award-winning poet, filmmaker, and speaker Max Stossel.

The mental health crisis is impact our children in significant ways. WCA is proud to bring the community together this year for the Kathryn Wasserman David Child Advocacy Lecture around this important topic.

Registration page coming soon.

Proud to be working together alongside Robin Hood to elevate and remedy the issue of Children's Poverty.

⭐️Read more here: https://robinhood.org/news/aspen-ideas-festival-criminal-justice/