Youth ROC Plans for an Amazing Year!

It’s shaping up to be an amazing year for the members of Youth ROC! Even though the school year has just started, our members have been active for months.

Over the summer, Organizing Team members presented the findings “What’s Going Down in Our Schools” survey report to the Governor, several legislators and a number of community organizations.

Hannah and Maya stretch out on the shady grass during workshops at Camp Matawa

In August, 25 students from the Milwaukee area attended the Organizing Team retreat at Camp Matawa in Campbellsport, Wisconsin. Workshops about grassroots youth organizing and recruiting were interspersed with fun, team building activities. And what would camp be without Smores and ghost stories around the campfire. Students left the retreat with exciting plans for the up-coming year.

The fall kick-off is “Speak Out” events. The “Speak Out” is a week of coordinated free-speech actions to bring attention to continuing budget cuts in public schools. There will be opportunities to creatively express their frustration over the lack of funding through open-mic, spoken-work, and visual art while competing for great prizes such as free studio time and movie tickets – an experience not to be missed!

Members are also gearing up to participate in a statewide, urban, rural, and suburban exchange. The exchange will unite students across racial, class and district lines, allowing them to sample the life of another young person. On November 3rd, students from the Milwaukee area will go to Niagara, and on November 17th students from Niagara will come to Milwaukee. The exchange will bring home the fact that budget cuts are felt by every student in the state.

Amanda and Mario plan Youth ROC fall activities while enjoying a beautiful day in the country.

Lastly, Youth ROC organizers, with the Department of Public Instruction, will run a campaign to help reduce truancy in Milwaukee. All high school students attending MPS will have the opportunity to sign a pledge vowing not have more than five unexcused absences per semester. If a student fulfills their pledge they will eligible to attend a free concert by a national recording artist. The school with the highest percentage increase in attendance will be visited by the artist!

This year will be great! Youth ROC students are tired of endless budget cuts and are gearing up to work for change.

If you or any one you know would like to get involved in this movement you can contact Jennifer Epps or Alexis Anderson-Reed.

Learn more about Youth ROC or request a school funding presentation

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