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Mental Health: The Impact of Crisis Services < Back Mental Health: The Impact of Crisis Services Written By: Nidhi Rawell Publishing Date: May 10, 2022 There are many crisis services available for those struggling with a Mental Health crisis. Crisis services have different components, which are peer crisis services, mobile crisis teams, 24/7 crisis hotlines, warm lines, crisis centers, psychiatric advance directive statements, short-term crisis residential services, and crisis stabilization ( Seibert ). Some notable federally supported crisis lines include the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, National Sexual Assault Hotline, and Veterans Crisis Line. Other privately funded entities are the Crisis Text Line, Seize the Awkward, and The Trevor Project’s TrevorLifeline. In these services, psychologists play a pivotal role as supervisors, program developers, implementers, trainers, and evaluators. According to an ASPE report , ‘Crisis Services and the Behavioral Health Workforce Issue Brief ’ by Stefanie Pietras and Allison Wishon Mathematica, “Crisis service models often rely on a mix of licensed behavioral health professionals, and other staff with lower levels of training and credentials (including unlicensed providers and peer support specialists) who augment the work of licensed staff”. Therefore, crisis services are using a staff mixed with licensed professionals and others with less training to help reduce the demand for higher-cost specialists ( Pietras and Mathematica ). Many of these crisis services are offered as free services due to using volunteers with less experience. Crisis services pose a big question: What is their impact on individuals seeking help? In the article , ‘Are crisis lines meeting new Mental Health Needs?’ by Tori DeAngelis, a 2018 evaluation of the SAMHSA Lifeline led by Madelyn Gould, Ph.D., Columbia University professor and psychiatric epidemiologist, was highlighted showing “That nearly 80% of callers interviewed six of 12 weeks after calling the lifeline said the follow-up calls kept them from carrying out suicide and provided them with hope, made them feel cared about, and helped them connect with further mental health resources”. Clearly, crisis services work well in connecting callers to mental health resources and in making callers feel cared for. Crisis services are a helpful addition to the existing care that is available, specifically for those who cannot or do not want to use formal care ( Willems ). However, it is difficult to measure the long-term effectiveness of crisis services because it is tough to ethically conduct randomized controlled trials of mental health crisis services, in particular, crisis lines. The sessions and follow-ups are also meant to be short-termed and anonymous. This contributes to the difficulty of being able to measure the long-term impact of crisis lines. Furthermore, another challenge to conducting research into the effectiveness and impact of these services is that it is unclear how long the effects of these interventions last ( DeAngelis ). Crisis services are meant for those dealing with a crisis at that moment. Specifically, crisis lines have become an easy and accessible way to get immediate help. They have also become more visible due to mental health-related news stories being more widely covered in the media. An example of this is that news organizations are posting the number to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) at the end of their suicide-related stories: “If you are having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)...” ( Kazdin ). This was seen in the news reports on the deaths of Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade ( Kazdin ). Crisis services have been shown to decrease feelings of hopelessness and psychological pain among people in crisis ( Willems ). They have also been shown to prevent suicide at the moment ( Willems ). When seeking out crisis services, it is important to keep this in mind. Crisis services are meant for immediate help and can help you connect to longer-term resources. The long-term use of crisis services has not been shown to be effective. On the other hand, crisis services are effective at helping individuals in crisis in the short-term. Individuals in crisis benefit from crisis services as they are easily accessible, free, and have been shown to reduce suicide risk. In general, these services have had a positive impact on people struggling with mental health crises and who seek immediate help. Sources DeAngelis, Tori. “Are Crisis Lines Meeting New Mental Health Needs?” American Psychological Association, American Psychological Association, 8 July 2020, https://www.apa.org/topics/covid-19/crisis-lines-mental-health. Kazdin, Cole. “We Looked into Whether Suicide Hotlines Actually Work.” VICE, 13 June 2018, https://www.vice.com/en/article/9k884v/do-suicide-hotlines-work. Pietras, Stefanie, and Allison Wishon Mathematica. “Crisis Services and the Behavioral Health Workforce Issue Brief.” ASPE, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Mar. 2021, https://aspe.hhs.gov/reports/crisis-services-behavioral-health-workforce-issue-brief. Seibert, Julie, et al. Crisis Services: Effectiveness, Cost-Effectiveness, and Funding Strategies. Office of Policy, Planning, and Innovation, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2014, https://nasmhpd.org/sites/default/files/SAMSHA%20Publication%20on%20Effectiveness%20%26%20Cost-Effectiveness%20of%2C%20and%20Funding%20Strategies%20for%2C%20Crisis%20Services%206-5-14_8.pdf. Willems, Renate et al. “Impact of Crisis Line Volunteering on Mental Wellbeing and the Associated Factors: A Systematic Review.” International journal of environmental research and public health vol. 17,5 1641. 3 Mar. 2020, doi:10.3390/ijerph17051641 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339669625_Impact_of_Crisis_Line_Volunteering_on_Mental_Wellbeing_and_the_Associated_Factors_A_Systematic_Review. Previous Next

AB-257: The FAST Recovery Act Written By: Tatiana Pagan Publishing Date: November 13, 2022 With the continuing struggles for Starbucks union workers, and food service workers picketing in front of Mayo Clinic , many in the industry are left wondering: Will work conditions ever improve? Recent California legislation says yes. First introduced in January of 2021, AB-257 –better known as the Fast Food Accountability and Standard Act (FAST Recovery Act)–will establish a Fast Food Council until January 1st of 2029. The council will work with the Department of Industrial Relations to do the following: “[...] to establish sectorwide minimum standards on wages, working hours, and other working conditions related to the health, safety, and welfare of, and supplying the necessary cost of proper living to, fast food restaurant workers, as well as effecting interagency coordination and prompt agency responses in this regard.” The reasons cited for the creation of this law include low pay with few benefits, lack of proper protection for workers, particularly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and discrimination, among other things. Lorena Gonzalez , the original author of the bill, says “We’re looking to give workers a voice on the job, and for workers in the fast-food industry” and that “traditional organizing hasn’t worked.” While that may be true, it is worth noting that unions and labor allies have been organizing strikes and lobby trips to both Sacramento and Washington D.C. Some of the largest unions even sent a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom asking that he “ support and champion ” the bill. These efforts, combined, succeeded in their goal; the FAST Recovery Act was signed into law on August 29, 2022. This victory wasn’t without its challenges. Numerous amendments have been made since the bill was first introduced in 2021. An earlier version of the FAST Recovery Act called for fast-food franchisors to “be jointly and severally liable for wage and labor violations at franchisee locations.” This would make both the individual location and the franchise itself responsible. The current bill has no such provision. Though this is a step in the right direction, there are several concerns that have been raised by opponents of the bill. Some [BHV1] , like Jot Condie —president of the California Restaurant Association—are worried that the creation of the Fast Food Council will ultimately bypass the Legislator via their own rule-making authority. Sean Redmond , known for his role as the vice president of labor policy at the US Chamber of Commerce, has stated that the bill will “micromanage the fast-food industry” and that “consumers will bear the consequences” due to a raise in prices. The hope is that, by passing the FAST Recovery Act, workers can take another step towards sectoral bargaining , where unions negotiate for workers’ rights across an entire industry. The practice, while common in Europe, is not as common in the United States. This is because current law focuses on what is known as enterprise-based bargaining , where unions negotiate for individual worksites. The FAST Recovery Act adds to the ongoing discussion of the Protecting the Right to Organize Act ( PRO .) First introduced to Congress in 2019, the bill will–if passed–expand coverage under the National Labor Protections Act (NLRA) and include more workers. It will also help in safeguarding the right to strike, improving purchasing power to workers, and streamlining procedures of the NLR Board. Although progress has been slow, the accomplishments of workers cannot be ignored. They provide a renewed inspiration for expanding the rights of workers across all sectors and across the country. [BHV1] This isn’t super necessary if it disrupts the word count or flow, but it might be helpful to include Jot Condie and Sean Redmond’s title, so readers know why their opinions are relevant to the discussion. I’ll leave it up to your discretion though since it is hyperlinked, and readers could go find out for themselves relatively easily. Sources California Legislative Information. (30 August 2022). AB-257 Food facilities and employment . https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB257 Cohen, R. (15 August 2022). California could change how fast food workers are treated. https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2022/8/15/23296481/fast-food-ab257-california-sectoral-labor-unions Ding, J. and Hussain, S. (29 August, 2022). California Legislature passes bill to protect fast-food-workers. https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2022-08-29/california-senate-pass-bill-fast-food-workers Gurley, L. (25 August 2022). Starbucks illegally withheld raises from union workers, labor board says. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/08/24/starbucks-raises-nlrb-complaint/ Kiger, J. (25 August 2022). Food service workers picket in front of Mayo Clinic. https://www.postbulletin.com/business/food-service-workers-picket-in-front-of-mayo-clinic Madland, D. and Walker, M. (March 2020). What Is Sectoral Bargaining? https://www.americanprogressaction.org/article/what-is-sectoral-bargaining/ Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak, & Stewart P.C. (1 September 2022). California Bill Aimed at Providing Increased Rights to Fast-food Workers Sent to Governor for Signature. https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/california-bill-aimed-at-providing-3774331/ Previous Next

USYF Social Media Infographics Youth Mental Health 28.03.22 Disability Rights 21.03.22 Healthcare Inequaliy 02.03.22 Youth Health Watch: Adderall Epidemic 17.12.21 Voter Registration 28.10.21 The Equality Act 26.09.21 Youth Debt 14.03.22 Social Activism 26.02.22 Transgender Day of Remembrance 20.11.21 Community College in Politics 17.10.21 How Minimum Wage Affects Young People 25.09.21 Women and Healthcare 07.03.22 Student Loan Payments 26.01.22 Local Elections: why are they important? 2.11.21 The US Debt Ceiling 11.10.21 Sexism in the Workplace 19.11.21

Stay current on LGBTQI+ rights in the United States while learning to become an impactful youth activist. < Back LGBTQI+ Rights Everyone should be entitled to love who they want and embrace their identity, and yet 83% of LGBT people hide their sexual orientation, 350 transgender murders occurred in 2020, and LGBT youth are four times more likely to seriously consider suicide, plan suicide, and attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers. Despite advancements for the LGBT community, a few being the legalization of same-sex marriage in all fifty states and The Equality Act, there is still a lot of work to be done. While rights are important and protect LGBT people legally, they do not eliminate discrimination, and that is the root of the problem. For instance, The Equality Act is meant to protect LGBT people from discrimination in employment, housing, jury duty, and federally funded programs, such as those for health and education. Yet, due to bias and stigma, LGBT youth are more likely to experience bullying and violence in schools, which can lead to substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behaviors, mood disorders, and feeling it is unsafe to come out. These alarming facts make it clear that eliminating discrimination and LGBT stigma is the key to creating an inclusive space for all. That's no easy task but a worthwhile one all the same. OTHER TOPICS Medical Autonomy Mental Health Racial Justice Social Class Discrimination Voting Rights Climate Change Environmentalism Gender Equality Healthcare Inequality What can I do about this? 1. To support LGBT people and curb discrimination, it is important to educate oneself to recognize any potential biases. Being aware of them is the first step to changing them. Additionally, educating oneself should also extend to terminology so that proper language is being used in regards to the LGBT community and when addressing an individual's identity. This promotes inclusivity. 2. Another way to help is by supporting LGBT activists and organizations. Helping these organizations makes the voices of the LGBT community louder and allows them to be heard, promoting their rights and bringing awareness to important issues. Some organizations also look for volunteers. One group to consider helping is The Trevor Project, which provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBT youth. USYF CONTENT Equality Act — What It Is And The Current Status by Tatiana Pagan External Resources Previous Next

USYF Forum Chats Inspiring conversations with young people on various topics. Live-streamed through our YouTube and Facebook channels, subscribe to our monthly newsletter or become a USYF member and keep up-to-date on all former and future Forum Chats. Young People Running for Office Learn what it's like to run for office as a young person by watching our live-streamed Forum Chats on our YouTube and Facebook channels. We talk to young people, and ask them questions about their own personal story. Get inspired and click on the linked photo above! Want to share your own story, or nominate someone else? Contact our team via email at contact@unitedstatesyouthforum.org , or become a member here . We can't wait to hear from you! Young Activists and Organizers in their Local Communities Learn what it's like to be a young activist or organizer by watching our live-streamed Forum Chats on our YouTube and Facebook channels. We talk to young people, and ask them questions about their own personal story. Get inspired and click on the linked photo above! Want to share your own story, or nominate someone else? Contact our team via email at contact@unitedstatesyouthforum.org , or become a member here . We can't wait to hear from you!

We Have Exciting Future Plans! The United States Youth Forum is just getting started. Our vision for the future is bold, intentional, and deeply rooted in the voices of young people. We’re working toward expanding our programs nationally, launching new youth-led initiatives that focus on social justice, climate action, mental health awareness, and education equity. We plan to introduce a digital resource hub designed by and for youth, build partnerships with schools and community organizations, and offer more leadership pathways through fellowships, mentorship programs, and civic bootcamps. We're also developing a Youth Leadership Council to ensure that every decision we make continues to reflect the needs and dreams of the communities we serve. The future is youth-led—and we’re creating the space for that future to thrive. Stay tuned, because there’s more coming, and we want you to be a part of it. Learn More

Because They Hate: Hate Speech, Hate Crimes, and Antisemitism Written By: Ozi Ojukwu Publishing Date: August 9, 2023 Just over three years ago, on May 25, 2020, police officer Derek Chauvin killed African American George Floyd by kneeling on his neck for around nine minutes. In addition to state charges of murder and manslaughter, Chauvin was federally charged in 2021 with violations of Floyd’s civil rights. According to a copy of the indictment, Chauvin was charged with violating Floyd’s right to be free from an unreasonable seizure, which includes the right to be free from the use of excessive force by a police officer. Furthermore, the Department of Justice also charged Chauvin of violating the right not to be deprived of liberty without due process. This occurred when Chauvin was deliberately indifferent to Floyd’s medical needs. While Chauvin was not charged with a hate crime, the case raises interesting questions concerning the nature of hate crimes. One can easily ask why Chauvin was not charged with a hate crime, being that he is considered white by American society, and Floyd was considered Black by American society. While both hate crimes and hate speech are considered interchangeable, they are different. In this article, we’ll take a look at both. And see how both are directed towards the Jewish community, including youth perspectives, in antisemitism. It has been said that antisemitism is a canary in the coal mine for hate generally, so paying attention to hate in the Jewish communities is important for everyone, especially racial, ethnic, and other minorities. Hate Speech While hate speech is an expansive concept with several definitions, concisely, it can be defined as “expression that seeks to malign an individual for their immutable characteristics” (Ring, 2021, p. 18). This careful definition includes not only verbal statements but degrading symbols and images (18). Immutable characteristics include such types as race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, age, and disability. Hate speech can be understood at both the individual and structural levels. At the structural level, “hate speech represents a structural phenomenon in which those in power use verbal assaults and offensive imagery to maintain their preferred position in the existing social order.” An example of this would be so-called white people using the N-word to demean African Americans and thus reinforce white supremacy. However, the goal of hate speech must be kept in mind in separating it out from other types of offensive speech. Merely saying that you hate someone’s shirt or you don’t like their personality is not hate speech. Hate speech is designed to malign a person for an immutable identity characteristic they hold. Furthermore, hate crimes also differ from hate speech. Let’s take a look at the distinction below. Hate Crimes Hate crimes are prejudicial criminal acts; such prejudice is motivated by the victim’s immutable characteristics, like the ones described above. Here, the importance of motivation is key. One reason Chauvin may not have been charged with a hate crime is because the motivation for his act was not based on George Floyd’s status as an African American. Indeed, according to an article from the Central Broadcasting Service (CBS), Chauvin seemed more motivated to exert his authority, based on video from onlookers during that day. However, hate crimes have been tracked throughout the United States. On March 13 of this year, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released the 2021 Hate Crime Statistics supplement, the most recent data on hate crimes throughout the United States. Most of the incidents by bias type occurred due to the offender’s race, ethnicity, or ancestry bias (64.5%). Crimes against persons (intimidation, simple assault, aggravated assault) formed the majority of crimes reported in the supplement (8,327 compared to 3,817 crimes against property and 267 crimes against society). But even more compelling than the admittedly important statistics are the stories of hate crime victims. On May 15, 2022, 10 African American New Yorkers were killed by 18-year-old white supremacist Payton Gendron. Gendron planned the shooting, traveling around 200 miles from Conklin, NY, to Buffalo, NY. He had traveled to the city the day prior to the shooting for reconaissance at the Tops Friendly Market Store, located in a predominantly African American neighborhood in Buffalo. He told the authorities that he was targeting the Black community , according to a story from CNN. On June 15, 2022, the Justice Department charged Gendron with 26 counts of hate crimes and weapons violations. While shootings seem likely to be the most memorable type of hate crime, there exists a wide variety in the backgrounds of hate crime offenders and their offenses, as described above. The University of Maryland’s National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Response to Terrorism (START) released a report in 2021 showcasing the results of the Bias Indicators and Actors Study (BIAS). This study showed motivations in hate crimes from 1990-2018. Reflecting the 2021 Hate Crimes Statistics Supplement, the report identified race, ethnicity, and nationality bias as the most prevalent across the years covered. In addition, the report also uncovered biases against religion and sexual orientation/gender identity. For example, 38.1% of the sampled individuals planned or committed mass casualty attacks against Jews, demonstrating an anti-Semitic bias. Anti-Semitism Antisemitism, according to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, is a “certain perception of Jews which may be expressed as hatred towards Jews.” Anti-semitism can be expressed both rhetorically (e.g., Holocaust denial) and physically. One example of this latter expression of antisemitism is the Tree of Life shooting that happened around five years ago on October 27, 2018. Robert Bowers killed eleven people in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania synagogue, which hosted three congregations of different branches of Judaism. Xenophobic and antisemitic , Bowers was charged with 63 crimes, including 11 counts of hate crimes resulting in death and 11 counts of obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death. His trial began May 31 of this year and is ongoing as of this writing. Anti-semitism has a long history. By the fifth century, Christianity had become the dominant religion of the Roman Empire. Arising out of Judaism, its first followers were Jews who observed Jewish customs. However, differing beliefs on the nature of the Messiah led to conflict. The Church believed that Jews had killed Jesus Christ, and they also believed the devil was blinding the eyes of the Jews. This latter belief metamorphosed into the charge that Jews were agents of the devil. Church and state laws forbade Jews from owning land, joining public office, and pursuing certain occupations. In the Middle Ages, one sees the antecedents to antisemtic beliefs that are popular today: Jews were portrayed as usurers, finding a counterpart today in the antisemitic belief that Jews control the banks and are greedy; Jews were said to poison the wells of Europe and cause the Black Plague. This finds an analog today in beliefs about the Jewish people weakening American culture by supporting immigrant migration to the United States. This latter belief implicates the connection between antisemitism and other forms of hate. Antisemitism can often lead to other forms of hate; for example, in the Holocaust, Hitler also killed homosexual individuals even though his identified purpose for the concentration camps was to eliminate Jewish people. Upwards of 100,000 men identified as homosexual were arrested , and many sent to the following concentration camps: Buchenwald, Dachau, Sachsenhuasen, Mauthausen, and Auschwitz. 55% of those sent to concentration camps died. Identified by a pink triangular badge, this group was treated worse than other groups arrested (except Jews), including Poles, Soviets, disabled people, and others. Antisemitism, thus, is something everyone has an interest in eradicating. According to My Jewish Learning, steps on this road include involving oneself with local anti-hate groups, forming coalitions between Jewish and non-Jewish racial, cultural, and ethnic groups to oppose hate, and increasing contact between Jewish and non-Jewish individuals for a meaningful purpose. While hate speech and hate crimes are disturbing in American society today, we know it is possible to take a stand against both. Will you? Sources Previous Next

Local Nonprofits < Back Community Resources: Getting Involved Written By: Amanuel Bahru Publishing Date: September 10, 2021 Many youth find getting involved in local volunteer opportunities to be fulfilling. In addition to being beneficial to local community members and those in need, volunteer opportunities provided by many nonprofit organizations present volunteers with opportunities for personal growth. The benefits of volunteering include, but are not limited to: confidence/self-esteem building, new social and professional connections, exploration and discovery of new areas of interest, and resume building (Gabe, n.d.). Volunteering presents people the opportunity to make differences in the communities they live in and this is typically one of the main motivating factors for people getting involved in volunteer opportunities. However, complications such as lack of time, lack of resource, and not knowing where to start can make some youth hesitant about getting involved. But even if you are unable to devote substantial time towards volunteering, it is still possible to have an impact by promoting volunteer opportunities. One way to increase your impact, even with limited availability, is to volunteer as a team. By encouraging family & friends to join, you can make the volunteer experience fun and impactful for everyone involved. Some ideas for volunteering as a group are listed here . It is important to understand that not all volunteer activities are the same. The level and duration of involvement are important factors that can determine whether or not a volunteer is able to get necessary exposure through their volunteer work or whether or not they achieve the goal they set for themselves when they began the volunteer work. Therefore, consistency is a key part of volunteering. Helping individuals or communities with great needs or making a significant difference at a particular nonprofit organization may require volunteers to contribute consistently over a period of time. Consistency is important because the success of many nonprofit organizations is highly dependent on the level of contribution from their volunteers. Nonprofit organizations won’t be able to make a difference in the communities they serve without constant support from volunteers. Youth volunteers are most likely to benefit from long term and consistent volunteer involvement. There are several reasons why long term and consistent volunteer involvement is recommended : 1) consistency shows a genuine interest in being a volunteer, 2) It strengthens relationships with other volunteers and organizations, and 3) It allows volunteers to develop skills necessary for professional development through repeated and long term exposure (Bell, 2014). The personal benefits of long-term volunteering can’t be ignored either. According to one particular study, “it was found that long-term volunteers had significantly higher overall psychological well being and higher scores on three out of the four subscales of psychological well-being, namely, self-acceptance, sense of mastery and competency and sense of engagement and growth as compared to the short-term volunteers” (Elias et al., 2016, p. 12). Nonprofit organizations such as volunteermatch.org and idealist.org make it easier to find volunteer opportunities online. The process of finding various local volunteer opportunities through these websites is very straightforward. Initially, interested users are required to create an account to access websites. After signing up, all it takes is the user typing their zip code and inputting keywords that match their interests. Website membership is typically offered free of charge, however, user eligibility requirements may differ based on the nonprofit organization. For example, idealist.org has age requirements as indicated here . In comparison, volunteermatch.org doesn’t have any age specific requirements for its users. Although it has age specific recommendations as indicated here . Check an organization’s requirements to see if you’re each other's fit. Lastly, there are also other organizations and volunteer opportunities around the country that are worth considering as included in this link . Sources American Association of Retired Persons. (n.d.). Volunteer with friends. AARP. https://createthegood.aarp.org/volunteer-ideas/include-family-friends.html. Elias, J., Sudhir, P., & Mehrotra, S. (2016). Long-Term Engagement in Formal Volunteering and Well-Being: An Exploratory Indian Study. Behavioral Sciences, 6(4), 20. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs6040020 Gabe, E. (n.d.). 4 Reasons Every Teen Should Volunteer. VolunteerMatch Blog. https://blogs.volunteermatch.org/4-reasons-every-teen-should-volunteer. Bell, P. (2014, September 15). Consistency: The Knot that Ties Everything Together: LeaderTreks Youth Ministry Blog. LeaderTreks Youth Ministry. https://www.leadertreks.org/consistency-knot-ties-everything-together/. Previous Next

Volunteering in Political Campaigns < Back Community Resources: Volunteer Written By: Fatima Javed Publishing Date: July 26, 2021 Volunteering in political campaigns is widely favored among youth. According to data by Circle (2020), more than 25% of young adults polled were interested in volunteering for campaigns if given the opportunity to do so. Increasing opportunities for youth to be involved as volunteers on political campaigns offers great advantages to campaigns by increasing their outreach capabilities, especially among younger voters who may be more convinced to vote when reached out to by their peers. Volunteering for campaigns also improves youth political skills, knowledge, and motivation as they provide opportunities for young people to learn that their voices and actions are welcomed and valued in our political system. A good way to start looking for volunteering positions is looking up your local political candidates and signing up through their candidacy websites. A simple google search of “volunteer positions in political campaigns” can also help to find positions. It is important to determine which campaign to volunteer or aid. Picking a campaign party can sometimes be a confusing and difficult job. It is best to pick campaign parties that closely align with your core ideals so you can easily expand on the parties’ values and beliefs when outreaching to the general public. Another way to determine what campaign to aid is by listening to the voices of fellow youth and the public. People tend to vote for those who can personally connect with them and listen to their voices and concerns. If a lot of people favor certain values that are desired in the next political figure, then campaigning with that political figure may be ideal for making the public more receptive to voting for certain candidates or issues. Sometimes landing a spot on a campaign is about who you know, so network with your colleagues, classmates, and your community. It is best to know what volunteering for a political campaign is all about. Ben Rajadurai, an executive director from the College Republican National Committee suggests volunteering for local races first to really get your foot in the political campaign world. In Fuller’s (2020) article, Rajaduari emphasizes that “You have face-to-face interaction with the (local) candidate every day and you learn more. (Ultimately), they’re the ones that make the decisions that impact your day-to-day life the most.” Another thing to take into account is whether you are willing to travel with the campaign party. Many big political campaigns, like those running for governorship, senatorship, or presidency need workers who have the ability to travel frequently to reach out to as many diverse voters as possible. Another thing to take into consideration is how long you would be volunteering for the campaign. Some campaigns like the ones listed previously would want you to be involved in their campaign until election night. And yet another important factor to take into consideration is whether you are willing to do this demanding job without pay. Take note of volunteer requirements for different campaigns and determine how much time and dedication you are willing to offer. As mentioned in Fuller’s (2020) article, “youth can start as a volunteer on campaigns and apply for paid positions in the next cycle.” Ben Rajaduari himself, started out volunteering as a canvasser on congressional campaigns during high school, later moving into a paid position as a volunteer coordinator on local campaigns. A typical assignment for volunteers on political campaigns is phone banking (cold-calling voters). Volunteers help to identify where people stand in terms of support for a candidate and try to persuade undecided voters. Volunteers also call voters to encourage turnout among people who support the candidate, and remind them how, when, and where to vote. Another campaign activity is canvassing (door-to-door knocking), where volunteers hand out information to potential voters and inform them about their candidates’ issue positions. Other assignments available include conducting research, fundraising, and collecting signatures for petitions. If you are curious about volunteering for campaigns, give it a try and get a feel for it. If a campaign doesn’t click with you, try a different campaign. If you don’t want to campaign for a candidate, you can join political efforts that solely focus on registering people to vote. Due to COVID-19, there are currently certain protocols being mandated in certain cities and states. A covid test or proof of vaccination may be required before volunteering. Masks may also be mandated for all workers and volunteers. Please check with the campaign you are planning on volunteering with about these different protocols! Sources Fuller, J. (2020, January 10). What to Know About Volunteering for a Political Campaign. Rewire. https://www.rewire.org/volunteering-political-campaign/ . Youth Volunteering on Political Campaigns. Circle at Tufts. (2020, March 17). https://circle.tufts.edu/latest-research/youth-volunteering-political-campaigns . Previous Next

Rainbow Capitalism (OP-ED) Written By: Emily Eames Publishing Date: June 11, 2022 This article contains opinions that do not represent the official views of USYF. What is Rainbow Capitalism? Many stores offer LGTBQ+ and Pride merchandise during June to celebrate Pride Month. Stores and retailers, such as Target and Walmart, will display this merchandise in the storefront, so it is the first thing customers see. Offering Pride merchandise is a way for corporations to demonstrate diversity and inclusivity to their customers. However, there may be an ulterior motive behind the influx of LGBTQ+ commodities during June. There is a demand for Pride merchandise, especially during June when LGBTQ+ communities and allies alike aspire to demonstrate their support and celebrate Pride Month. Since there is a demand for Pride goods, some corporations will often supply commodities that brandish rainbows, the symbol for the LGTBQ+ movement. This is where the term "Rainbow Capitalism" gets its name. During Pride Month, you may hear the term Rainbow Capitalism and wonder, what is this referring to? Rainbow Capitalism references the practice of companies offering Pride-related merchandise during Pride Month [1] . However, their company views and actions may work in opposition to or ignore the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. What can you do? This can be a tricky topic to navigate as a consumer, since Rainbow capitalism falls under the category of ethical consumption. Ethical consumption involves understanding where the product comes from, who made it, and the context surrounding the product [1] . Ethical consumption can be a privilege because it involves having the opportunity and time to research all of the goods you purchase and having the financial freedom to choose between an ethical or unethical option. If ethical consumption interests you, then the best way to get started is to pick a few items you use everyday and research where they come from and who makes them. Start small; who makes your shampoo? What does the company that makes your favorite t-shirt support? Does the company that makes your toothpaste practice any philanthropy? If so, who do they donate to? What causes do they stand with? As a challenge, during Pride Month, try to be more conscious about the companies you are buying from. If you are on the market for a Pride t-shirt or bumper sticker, take a few minutes to see if that company is actively supporting the LGTBQ+ community. If not, then maybe look for an alternative company that's actively striving to support the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, or take this opportunity to donate directly to an organization that supports the Pride movement. Keep in mind that at the end of the day, it's not about being perfect. It's about staying informed and doing your best. [1] See Pyke, T., & Regan , C. (2020, December 1). Ethical Consumption. DevelopmentEducation.ie. Retrieved May 30, 2022, from https://developmenteducation.ie/feature/ethical-consumption/ [1] From Desjardins, L., Jacobson, M., Carlson, F., Thoet, A., Foley, A., & Barajas, J. (2021, June 30). Rainbow capitalism raises questions about corporate commitments and pride month's purpose. PBS. Retrieved June 1, 2022, from https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/rainbow-capitalism-raises-questions-about-corporate-commitments-and-pride-months-purpose Sources [1] From Desjardins, L., Jacobson, M., Carlson, F., Thoet, A., Foley, A., & Barajas, J. (2021, June 30). Rainbow capitalism raises questions about corporate commitments and pride month's purpose. PBS. Retrieved June 1, 2022, from https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/rainbow-capitalism-raises-questions-about-corporate-commitments-and-pride-months-purpose [2] See Pyke, T., & Regan , C. (2020, December 1). Ethical Consumption. DevelopmentEducation.ie. Retrieved May 30, 2022, from https://developmenteducation.ie/feature/ethical-consumption/ Previous Next

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