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NEWS

SYLA 2009 Kicks Off CFJ Summer

(June, 22, 2009) What is SYLA? What is its mission?

SYLA is CFJ’s Summer Youth Leadership Academy and its mission is to build the next generation of socially conscious, politically active leaders who will effect change in their schools, communities, and the world at large.

When does SYLA run?

SYLA is a seven-week summer program that runs from June 15 – August7, 2009.

What kind of trainings and activities SYLA students participate in? 

SYLA challenges its participants with a holistic curriculum that engages students from multiple perspectives.  One week, students might learn the principals behind grassroots organizing, develop basebuilding skills like flyer making and recruitment pitches, and then go out to a summer school to introduce CFJ to potential new members.   Another week, students might learn about the history of racial and economic injustice in the United States and then go on a city tour to see how those issues play out in their communities.

Who participates in SYLA?

An average SYLA class is made up of about ten students.  To be eligible, a participant must be an active, dues-paying member and attend one CFJ event outside of their chapter meeting.  Though SYLA students come from all walks of life, they are united by their commitment to racial justice, improving their schools and communities, and developing their leadership skills

What do students do after SYLA?

SYLA alumni become CFJ leaders as chapter presidents, yearlong interns, regional campaign chairs, CQE representatives, media spokespersons, and even board members.

What do alums say about SYLA?

“I appreciated SYLA’s hands on education.  I learned a history not taught in school, about gentrification and institutional racism, and how these issues affect different communities, like how sexism affects women, and how a lack of resources affects youths of color.  At the same time, I also learned how I can be implicit in these systems.  Afterwards, I felt a sense of empowerment, like I could change things.” 

 -Samantha Knox, SYLA Alum and current Long Beach Organizer


 
NEWS

Nearly 1,000 Students Roar "Don't Pink Slip Our Education!" in Sacramento


CQE 2009




 

 

 

 

 

MAY 18, 2009--In the midst of the largest education budget cuts in California state history, when do state leaders hear from those most affected--students of color?

On May 13th, Californians for Justice and the Campaign for Quality Education (CQE) mobilized nearly one thousand students from across California on the steps of the state capitol building in Sacramento.  With a collective voice, they told the Governor and Legislature, "Don't Pink Slip Our Education!" 


Highlights of the May 13 action included:
   •    An enthusiastic rally, featuring poetry, spoken word performances, and speeches from students,teachers, and  Assemblywoman Julia Brownley and State Senator Gloria Romero, who chair the Education Committees for their respective houses


   •    Over one hundred students, parents and teachers conducted forty legislative visits with State Senators and Assemblymembers in support of Assembly Bill 8 and Assembly Concurrent Resolution 54.  Together, these pieces of legislation would increase school budget transparency, raise California's average per-pupil spending, and fund the actual cost of educating California's diverse student population.


   •    Students Angélica Lemus from Roosevelt High School in Fresno and Eric Adams from Youth Empowerment School in Oakland gave emphatic testimonials about their under-funded and under-resourced schools before the Assembly Education Committee.  They also delivered 10,000 postcards signed by students, teachers, and community members in support of "reform[ing] our school funding system to guarantee our schools receive sufficient, stable funding every year to deliver a high quality education to all students"


In support of the day, Californians for Justice also:
   •    Raised almost $12,000 from 135 donors in April and May.  Signed up seventy-nine people as new monthly donors or who increased their monthly donation as a part of the Justice League Monthly Donor Campaign.


   •    Increased CFJ's student voice in the media through coverage in print, television, and web-based media outlets including KTVU, YO! Youth Outlook , the California Progress Report , La Opinión , and Vida en el valle.

As Communications Director Paul Tran wrote in his editorial "The People Have Spoken" in the California Progress Report: "…we need vision and imagination from our state leadership. A new bill here, a new policy there is nothing without political courage.  And until these changes and plans are made, we'll keep coming back to Sacramento and making our voices heard."

 







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Exposing problems is not enough. We are developing solutions and building power in our communities to fight for racial justice and quality education for all students. Find out more about our campaigns in San Diego, Long Beach, San Jose, Fresno, and Oakland. We have also taken the lead in bringing together a strong alliance of organizations across the state to lead a coordinated campaign to ensure that all students receive a quality education.

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