Get Involved

What do you think the best way to make a difference is?

• Talking directly to adult leaders and officials

  You might be interested in Direct Access Dinners.

  At Direct Access Dinners we bring together groups of interested and motivated youth (ages 15 through 23) who would like to meet with a government official to talk about issues important to youth. We will link your group with a leader empowered to work on your issues. We will also train you on how to effectively communicate with the official, using networking and professionalism skills.

  It can be a class from school, a youth group from church or community, a volunteer organization, an extracurricular team, of any other group of 12–20 youth.

  If your group is interested, call Laura Furr at (410) 706-3875.

• Volunteering with the Baltimore City Council

  You might be interested in the Baltimore City Council Page Program.

  Four Baltimore City public high school juniors or seniors are selected each semester to volunteer at the City Council Presidents office. You will learn administrative and clerical skills important in any career, learn the local legislative process and have the opportunity to advocate from within City Council.

  You will be required to attend all City Council meetings, which take place most Monday evenings, and to work one day a week, preferably Mondays, at the City Council offices.

  Application deadlines are usually in December for the Spring semester and in August for the Fall semester. Call Laura Furr at (410) 706-3875 for more information or to obtain an application. Download the 2006-2007 Pre-Application.

• Advocating to state and local legislatures for new or different laws

  You might be interested in Teens for Legislative Change.

  Youth (ages 15–23) from Baltimore City, Anne Arundel County and Baltimore County gather to bring youth voice and youth issues to Marylands General Assembly! So far, TLC has advocated on increased school funding for needy schools. Each year, you will choose issues important to youth in Maryland, and you will advocate for the best possible outcome for all youth.

  We will train you in writing and oral advocacy, legislative lobbying and grassroots activism. You will carry out an active advocacy plan for each year.

  TLC will begin meetings and training in August. Contact Laura Furr at (410) 706-3875 if interested.

• Serving as the representative of youth in your community to the Mayor and city government

  You might be interested in the Baltimore City Mayor's Youth Commission.

  This dedicated group of youth (ages 15–25) are appointed to represent youth in their districts in Baltimore City as members of the Mayors Youth Commission. There are 17 positions overall. Commissioners learn, first hand, about the practice of legislation and advocacy, and are the Mayors resource for youth voice.

  See the Commissions Web site for more information.

Community Law in Action
520 West Fayette Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 706-3875
(410) 706-0041 fax
clia@communitylawinaction.org
© 2007