LUK, Inc. Advocacy and Advisory Board Hosts Legislative Breakfast

FITCHBURG – LUK Inc.’s Advocacy and Advisory Board (LAAB) and Beth Barto, President & CEO, hosted a Legislative Breakfast on the morning of Friday, November 7th to introduce local and state representatives to LUK’s policy standpoints and to discuss pressing local matters. In attendance were Representative Natalie Higgins, Representative Michael Kushmerek, Senator John Cronin, Representative Meghan Kilcoyne, a representative of Senator Robyn Kennedy, and others involved in local and state politics.
 
Through questions posed by LUK’s Youth Leaders and references to current happenings, the legislators and LAAB members had thoughtful discussions about community access to resources, the voices of young people in policy making, and education accessibility. Legislators carefully considered every aspect of these broad topics to deliver insightful perspectives on how the Massachusetts State government is handling the issues presented. They gave information on timelines, specific budget numbers, and legislative bills that are being processed that align with the Leaders’ questions, providing a glimpse into how legislation is considered and discussed. The breakfast was a productive, informative, and worthwhile event for all and LUK is grateful for the opportunity to discuss the LAAB’s priorities.
 
The LAAB serves as LUK’s key resource to guide the agency’s values in action regarding social issues and to promote public policy advocacy to advance and uphold the agency’s sense of Mission.
“It felt empowering to have my voice heard, especially knowing that the people in the room were genuinely listening and interested in what youth had to say. It made me feel like my opinions mattered and that I was contributing to something bigger,” said Youth Leader, Alicia Hernandez.
Sarah Gregory, LUK’s Career Development and Event Coordinator, added "I am incredibly proud of the youth Leaders and all of the work and research they have done for this event. I am glad that they were able to have their voices heard and ask about current issues that were important to them."
 
LUK, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the safety, health, and well-being of youth, families, and adults in Central Massachusetts. As a community-based organization, LUK’s mission is to challenge and inspire youth, adults, and families to realize their unique potential through community-based prevention, intervention, education, and support services.
 
For more information about LUK, Inc., visit www.LUK.org, call (800) 579-0000, or find us on Facebook (@LetUsKnowINC). Join us in building stronger communities, family by family!