"Advocacy Messages"

"Teach your kids how to stop bullying and be more than a bystander"

-This message is effective because it encourages children to take a stand against bullying instead of standing around and watching someone be bullied.  It lets children know that bullying can be prevent and/or stop if they step in and let the ones doing the bullying know that it's wrong and they won't tolerate it.

"Give. Advocate. Volunteer.  Live United"

-This message encourages people to become involved in making a change in their community.  It also encourages them to advocate for the needs of others regardless of who they are and it encourages unity among all people.


(http://www.adcouncil.org)

"My Own Capacity"

Which issues impacting young children and their families and/or the fieldof early childhood fuel your passion?

               

                Issues that fuel my passion include poverty, improper healthcare and inadequate educational oppourtunities.  These are all basic needs that children and families should have in order to develop and survive.  This country should have better system in place to make sure that nobody has to live in poverty or suffer through health and educational shortfalls due to the lack of effective programs and/or resources in place to make sure their basic needs are being met.

What knowledge, skills, dispositions and/or talents do you possess that will contribute to your advocacy work?

                  My years of experience as a educator working with children and families and the education and training I have receieved over the years has prepared me to identify and understand issues that impact children and families and the directions I will need to take in order to become an effective advocate.  I have learned about identifying stakeholders who have a vested interest in the issues concerning children and families.  I have also learn how commuinty resources, policy makers,  other advocates, and even families play an important role in advocating for children.  I believe this combination of training, education and experience, along with my desire to continue learniing as much as I can about advocacy will continue to be a positive contribution to my advocacy work.

In what ways do you hope to grow in order to be a more effective advocate?

                I hope to continue to learn as much as I can about becoming an effective advocate by continuing to work with other advocates and by continuing to expand my knowledge of the issues that impact children and families.  I also hope to continue to stay informed of changes and challenges that occur by using available resources and information to strengthen my advocacy efforts. As wel I hope to continue to build effective, positive and trusting relationship with children and families.