This conversation explores the multifaceted nature of advocacy, and how parents and caregivers can get involved. This episode features three amazing guest speakers. Sonja Tonnesen-Casalegno, Esq. is a social justice attorney, innovator, child of activists, and parent to two amazing children. Klarissa Reynoso is the Senior Program and Policy Manager for the Youth Justice Team at the National Center for Youth Law. Lastly, Deyci Carrillo López is a proud product of Guanajuato, México and East Oakland, California; she is an author, abolitionist and poet.

Our guests discuss their personal journeys, the structure of the federal government, and the importance of community engagement in driving policy. They share their experiences and insights on how individuals can influence policy and create meaningful change, emphasizing the power of collective action and the role of mentorship in advocacy work. They also discuss the importance of community in healing, the undervaluation of caregiving, navigating fear in advocacy, and the significance of teaching children about social justice and political engagement. The speakers share actionable steps towards engagement in federal advocacy.

Please note: In this episode, the speakers may reference laws and legal information. This does not constitute legal advice.

Chapters:

• Understanding Federal Government Structure

• The Role of Federal Advocacy

• Personal Journeys into Advocacy

• Artivism: Merging Art and Advocacy

• Encouraging Community Engagement in Advocacy

• Tools for Effective Advocacy

• The Power of Community in Healing

• Engaging Children in Advocacy

• The Power of Youth Voices

• The Impact of Parental Advocacy

• Navigating Fear in Advocacy

• Taking Action: First Steps to Engagement

Resources:

• Find your elected officials

  https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials

• 
  

  Sign up for newsletter with A Flourishing Start https://flourishingstart.squarespace.com/

• 
  

  YouTube video about how a bill becomes a law, how it must go through Congress, and how it can be vetoed, etc. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ8psP4S6BQ

• 
  How is the US Federal Government structured? https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zbc3wsg#z6qpkhv