Why this project?
The mission of the Topeka High Latina Justice Seekers team is to advance awareness within the Latino community, to empower youth to become change agents for systemic change in communities in order to achieve greater social justice. According to the Pew Research Center, Hispanics are the youngest major racial or ethnic group in the United States. About one-third, or 17.9 million, of the nation’s Hispanic population is younger than 18. The THS Latina justice seekers will host events in which they will promote voting among their peers by pre-registering teens to vote throughout the city’s high schools.
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According to the Pew Research Center, Hispanics are the youngest and fasting growing major racial or ethnic group in the United States. In Kansas there is has been an almost 20% increase in the Hispanic population. However, statistics show there is a declining trend of Latino voters. This is concerning because there is power in numbers, and it is important to educate and inform the Hispanic community that change starts with a simple registration to vote.
Without being involve and without intervention now, this decline in voting can silence the voice of the Latino community and their concerns will not be represented in local, state, and national policies. Due to the large number of the new generation of Latino voters their votes will directly impact them and their family members. It is evident that the Latino vote must increase, but there are many challenges to achieve this outcome.The biggest misconception that leads to fear of registering to vote and casting votes among the Latino community. One-third of students at Topeka High School at Latino voters. Topeka is the capital in Kansas; Topeka High School is two blocks away from the capitol yet many Latino youth feel very disconnected to the policy making process. The younger Latino population can make a difference with the development of local, state, and national policies but the change cannot happen if they are not involved. |
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The Topeka High School Latina Justice Seekers team will host bilingual meetings throughout Topeka to educate the Latino community regarding voting rights especially for families with mixed documentation status individuals. At these meetings the Shawnee County Election Office will sponsor voter registration days.
In partnership with the Shawnee County Election Office the Topeka High School Latina Justice Seekers will also host events in which they will promote voting among their peers by pre-registering teens to vote throughout the city’s high schools. The team wants to ensure Latino voters of all ages have the ample opportunities for the Latino community to register to vote through voter registration days and by using social media to encourage young Latinos to vote. Short term impact: Through bilingual community meetings Latinos in Topeka, Kansas will be educated about voting,therefore, more eligible latinos will not only register to vote but will also cast informed votes to ensure representation in local, state, and federal policies. Long term impact: Topeka High School Latina Justice Seekers will develop a bilingual statewide voter education and registration program model for other high schools in Kansas to implement. |
Click on the word "Outcomes" above to read our impact report. Once you are on the google slide please click on PRESENT on the upper right hand corner to view the file on a larger scale on your computer.
-The Latina Justice Seekers presented to and networked with adults in our community. Although uncomfortable at first they learned adults like to listen to voices and what they have to say. They saw themselves as change agents. -Commitment to a project is not always easy. -Team work is not just a buzz word but a reality when you are working in a team. |
ReflectionMany things happened during this amazing project that opened up many of our eyes. I was very surprised by how little I knew before this project, I knew very little about this very important subject. The bond and trust in the group grew tremendously. I learned about how being in a group and spending time with people that are passionate about subjects that you are passionate about, brings a calm and a trust that is very much needed. Thus being all of our first time we definitely learned lessons of what we should and shouldn’t do. We have all gained more knowledge and wisdom. I would have chose a different topic that could help people out as soon as possible, and that would be more impactful in the life of an individual. Since the topic chosen about voting rights is more relevant when closer to the voting year. I would have definitely speak out more and become more gregarious with the public and with my peers. I loved this group! It brought me out my comfort zone and opened up my eyes and ears to real world problems and statistics that should be heard everywhere. This project has had a great impact on me that will make me take more challenges that are outside my comfort zone in my future and my present. |