We were fortunate to work with 50 outstanding new YVoters from across all five boroughs of New York City in 2019-20. Check out some of their voices:
- “I’m part of YVote because this program allows me and other youth to have a voice and talk about what we believe in an open welcoming space which not only takes accountability of what we have to say but encourages youth to vote and see how that vote can impact society as a whole. YVote helps us grow and develop our understanding of voting and how it does not finish when you leave the voting box.”--Maria Narvaez, International School for Liberal Arts, Age 17, Bronx
- “We all see the news and criticize the way the government runs things, and the way we a society act around each other, but that’s the only thing we do--judge--we don’t act or care enough to get up out of our beds and make a change. I am tired of just talking and not doing anything, and I know that I have the perfect opportunity to do that with YVote”--Valentina Villegas, Long Island City High School, Age 15, Queens
- “YVote provides an opportunity to stand up for my opinions. The program doesn’t represent just voting but creating leaders from students passionately caring about issues in today’s society. It’s frustrating to see people complain instead of taking initiative to actually do something. YVote can help me make a positive change in my community.--Christina Feng, Susan E Wagner High School, Age 16, Staten Island
- “I want to make a difference in the world. I want to help people understand that not everything is the way people say it is. I want people to see that the world isn’t black and white. There are many gray areas that need to be discussed but some people are too afraid to discuss them. Being part of YVote will help me teach people more about social injustices and how to change the world in a positive way.” --Claudia Roszkowski, Urban Assembly Academy for Criminal Justice, Age 15, Brooklyn
- "I feel that as a citizen it is my right to exercise my vote because we are the future generation and it is our responsibility to elect good leaders who'll devise good laws for our country. "--Rhea Maria Mendonca, Susan E. Wagner High School, Age 16, Staten Island
- "I hate feeling helpless. And yet sometimes, when I read the news that all I can feel. I am interested in this program because it provides me with a way to take back some of my own power and will hopefully enable me to help create lasting change in my community."--Reva Singh, Stuyvesant High School, Age 17, Queens
- "As an individual who lives and attends school in Chinatown where many immigrants and low income families are located, I do think a lot of them want to exercise opportunities given to them, such as know where can they raise suggestions to make their community a better place for all, but can’t due to language barriers or aren't aware with the rights they can take advantage of and need to have people to support them through the process."--Meiqin Gao, High School for Dual Language and Asian Studies, Age 17, Manhattan