Lobby Day at Olympia
Just One has been working with TeamChild, a team of legal experts who support youth involved, or at risk of being involved, in the juvenile justice system, to learn about how to make change through civic engagement.
Laila, Lily, and Natalia of Just One have been meeting regularly to learn about existing laws, how they’re created, and how they prop up the system that keeps people of color and low income folks in a constant struggle.
In February, Laila and Lily joined TeamChild at Olympia for the Day of Empathy – the nation’s largest day of action for criminal justice reform – to talk with our state law makers, the people who we vote, or don’t vote, for in elections that happen every year (not just during the presidential election).
We asked Lily and Laila to reflect on their first visit to Olympia to advocate for legal reform in the juvenile justice system, read on to hear about their experiences.
- What are the top 3 things you’re learning in Team Child?
Laila: One of the biggest takeaways for me is how important my voice is in youth advocacy. Not many people get to be in the position I’m in and talk with legislators, so it is important for me to use my voice to speak up for my community and speak for the underrepresented. Another takeaway is that It’s okay if I don’t have a personal story related to the matter I was representing. For example, a good amount of the members in YAC have been incarcerated or in the foster care system and they can vouch for the House Bills or Senate Bills that could help incarcerated youth, or those who have been in the foster system. In the meetings with Legislators, I would often be quiet while others were sharing the stories and I felt that since I couldn’t relate, I should say anything. Which couldn’t be further from the truth, it’s almost like the phrase “see something, say something”. So I learned that even if I didn’t personally experience it, that doesn’t mean that I can still support and speak up on the issue that affects youth.
Lily: The top three things I’ve learned from Team Child is how important it is to speak up and use my voice to advocate for those who can’t, what it means to lobby, and how bills and initiatives work.
- What is it like being among other young people in your program?
Laila: When I first met everyone, I was a bit nervous because I was one of two new people in the program. But I have no reason to be nervous, everyone was so welcoming. It felt great being around other young people who had the same goal as me.
Lily: I really like having other youth my age because we can relate to similar experiences making the environment more supportive and welcoming.
- What was it like going to Olympia and talking to legislators?
Laila: Talking to the Legislators wasn’t as scary and nerve racking as I thought it would be. I had about 5 meetings with legislators but I spoke in 2 of them. One of the meetings my group had was kind of interesting, we met with the assistant rather than the legislator, which is fine. But the assistant wouldn’t let my whole group go in, even though in the other meetings, my entire group was happily welcomed in. This had us a little confused and shocked because the assistant had an attitude, but a few of us went into the room and the meeting was no more than 4 minutes and not many people spoke up because the assistant was dismissive and didn’t seem like she wanted to be there. I understand that people might have a bad day or a very busy schedule so they’re stressed out but I feel like she could have at least pretended.
Lily: It definitely was an experience that was new to me, I got a lot out of lobbying and speaking up against matters like incarceration that affects not just me but so many other families.
- What bill(s) did you talk about?
Laila: I talked about [Extended Foster Care Housing Voucher Pilot] SB 5940/ HB 2455, which is a problem that would help up to 50 young adults in foster care with finding stable housing before they become fully independent.
Lily: We talked about re-entry and incarceration bills that affect those who are currently incarcerated or have been incarcerated. - What did you take away from legislative session and your Olympia experience?
Laila: I was a bit insecure about being in the meeting but I learned that I do deserve to be there and that I have a purpose.
Lily: The biggest take away from the legislative session and going to Olympia was that OUR voice in fact does matter, and that if we want change it’s speaking out against issues and using our voices for change. - What do you imagine happening if more people, especially young people, became more civically engaged?
Laila: As an American citizen it is our duty to be involved in what is happening in our country and communities. Democracy requires all to pitch in and if young people start to engage in civic duties, change can come to what is currently happening in the government.
Lily: I think younger people getting engaged would have a powerful impact as we are the future generation and adults.
7. How do you imagine using the knowledge and skills you’re learning?
Laila: I feel like these skills and knowledge I have will help in future jobs, volunteering, and teaching others about the skills I’ve learned
Lily: I will use the knowledge and skills I’m learning to become more confident about speaking out against issues in my community and become more knowledgeable about bills.
8. What do you want to know more of?
Laila: I want to know how I can be involved in more youth groups.
Lily: I want to become more knowledgeable about current bills being passed or going to be passed and get more involved with those bills, possibly helping in the process of getting it.
Your vote is your voice, and your voice matters! This upcoming Primary Election on August 4, 2026 and the General Election on November 3, 2026, you have the opportunity to vote for people who will fight for you in the need for governmental and systemic change. You can vote for people and policies that align with your values.
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