California Coalition for Youth » Talia

Go.GREEN!

Talia — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 22:57:29 +0000

November 2011 is an exciting month for California Coalition for Youth! We are going to be lighting the State Capitol green!

You may ask, why would California Coalition for Youth light Sacramento green?!

California Coalition for Youth is lighting Sacramento green to raise awareness for Runaway and Homeless Youth month taking place in November 2011!

How can you help us with this exciting event?!

For one, tell everyone you know about California Coalition for Youth!

Follow the legislation that the Coalition supports and become educated on issues affecting California’s youth!

Second, look us up on Facebook and follow our alerts!

Last but not least, continue to raise awareness for California’s homeless and runaway youth!

So, if you’re reading this, go green for CCY!

A Lesson Worth Learning!

Talia — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 17:11:05 +0000

A lesson that I have been learning lately–through working, hanging out with friends, and communicating with my family is– take the time to actually listen to what people are saying to you. I think that sometimes we get so caught up in the everyday motions of life that we sometimes forget to stop and listen to people. So next time someone confides in you…will you be really listening?!…Just a thought!

High School;

Talia — Wed, 18 May 2011 19:58:23 +0000

In less than one month, my high school career will be over forever. Four years ago, graduating high school seemed so far away but now the time has come! While it is exciting to be able to move on to another chapter of life, it is bittersweet as well.

Thinking of graduating high school has made me think of the many teenagers throughout Riverside County & the state of California who are currently homeless, or runaways and do not have the opportunity to attend high school or even college. What is being done to insure that this population of youth are able to attend school to receive the education that they need to be successful individuals?

Reflection.

Talia — Mon, 09 May 2011 18:25:32 +0000

You are always smiling, laughing, and making jokes. But are you happy? Is what appears on the outside the same thing that is reflected inside of you? Or is it the opposite? We live in a society today where many people appear to be happy on the outside, but inside they are suffering. Some are dealing with depression, loneliness, anger, thoughts of suicide and much more. We have all heard the story of people who appear to be happy on the outside but on the inside they are suffering, which sometimes leads them to taking their own life. But why? Why can someone who has so many people on their side suddenly give up on life? Let me ask you a question. Do you relate to this? Are you bottling up thoughts inside but acting like you are fine? If so, know that its okay– its okay to not wear the happy mask you have been wearing. Its okay to ask for help. Asking for help doesn’t make you weak, it makes you strong. Throughout my life, I have seen so many people close to be bottle up these types of thoughts. But what they do not realize is that it only makes things worse for them and those thoughts can lead to self destruction. I can’t sit here and tell you that it is just a phase and that everything will get better. Things happen. But you have to make it right. You have to make the decision for yourself that you want to be happy.

Survivors!

Talia — Wed, 04 May 2011 17:08:26 +0000

**I recited this poem at the Youth Rally at the State Capitol on April 5, 2011 & wanted to post this on the Youth Bloggers Site!

Homeless Youth Are Survivors…

They are homeless because of tragedy

and most have no family.

They live life on their own

and often feel alone.

Most wish this wasn’t the case,

but being homeless is something they must face.

So what can you as a Legislator do?

And how can a change possibly come true?

You have the power to improve and empower the lives of the homeless

to make this number become strongly less.

So what will you choose?

And can you promise me that those who are homeless will not lose?

Only you have the power to help these youth

and tell the legislators the real truth.

So what will be your choice?

Will you give these youth a VOICE?

Taking Action Conference

Talia — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 18:22:05 +0000

The Taking Action Conference this year was incredible! There were so many amazing people there, each of them a SURVIVOR of some circumstance. I thoroughly enjoyed talking to those in attendance and learning about them and where they come from! All of the key note speakers did a fantastic job speaking! I loved listening to Joseph recite his two poems, Battlecry and the Countdown. What an amazing poet he is!

The CCY Dance was a lot of fun! The DJ did a great job with the music and I think that everyone who attended had a fun time!

Marching to the Capitol was a lot of fun and the youth that spoke did an outstanding job voicing their stories.

Overall, conference was a great experience, filled with life lessons learned, fun, and getting to meet amazing people from all around California!

I can’t wait till next year! Taking Action 2012… Here We Come!

Taking Action Conference: Here We Come!

Talia — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 15:39:01 +0000

The Taking Action Conference is just four days away! With that said, I can without a doubt say that this is going to be a conference that is going to be remembered for years to come! The theme, Survivors, is something that everyone can relate to! We are all Survivors of some sort! I think that those in attendance of this conference with leave having learned much! The workshops are sure to be informative as everything from legislation, advocacy, bullying, trauma informed services, youth employment, and much more will be discussed! We have excellent key-note speakers this year and their messages will be impactful!

So, for those attending conference, I will see you in just four short days!

And together, let’s make a difference and tell the legislators why passing laws to benefit the youth in California is important!

Take The Time to Listen

Talia — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 16:30:19 +0000

Everywhere we look around us there is someone who always needs someone who will take the time to listen. I have especially seen this while volunteering at a shelter for at-risk youth. It seems like so often we are concerned with ourselves that we forget to see others around us who are suffering. Something that I have learned lately is to take the time to listen to those who need someone to talk to. It may sound easy to listen but you should try it! It is actually really difficult! I think that America today as a society is very centered on themselves, rather than others. Taking the time to listen to someone can be the greatest gift I think that you can offer someone.

So, take a look around you and see those who may need someone to talk to. Be the one person that they can rely on!

A quote I love is: “Deep listening is miraculous for both listening and speaker. When someone receives us with open-hearted, non-judging, intensely interested listening, our spirits expand.”

Survivor;

Talia — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 17:08:42 +0000

In about a month, the Taking Action conference will take place! The theme for this year is ‘Survivor’. With that being said, everyone in life has survived something. For some it is tragedy, others sickness, and sometimes even abuse.

About two years ago, I fell victim to an abusive relationship. Although I survived, I constantly think about what other people have through, just like me. Reflecting on the past, I wrote this poem.

To You,

You’ve been used and abused,

mistreated and defeated.

And here you stand before me, bitter and sad,

maybe you’re even mad.

You feel like no one is there,

and you can’t understand why life has to be so unfair.

I was once in your place,

so down I couldn’t life up my own face.

I was once abused, mistreated,

and even defeated.

Yet here I am before you giving you a piece of advice or two:

the choice is yours to take it or leave it–

how I hope you choose to take it.

Never let someone or something get the best of you,

not even for a second or two.

Being bitter, sad and mad is not helping you-

it is the thing that is breaking you.

Know that there are people out there who do care,

and you may be unaware, so

may have come where you are

and yet have gone so far.

A Voice.

Talia — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 23:54:30 +0000

Over the three years that I have worked with at-risk youth I have heard countless stories of youth who are runaways, homeless, or in the fostercare system. Hearing the stories of my fellow youth has given me the opportunity to be a voice for them. An issue in the state of California that needs to be addressed is the fact that there is not a set program in California for addressing youth homelessness. The number of youth on the streets grows everyday and yet California is not doing anything to help those on the streets. If SB 123 passes it will greatly help to reduce the homeless youth population in California. However in order to get this bill passed, there needs to be people who are willing to be a voice for those who are on the streets. It is sad to think that homeless youth do exist, but so often they are ignored. These youth should have the opportunity to be happy, healthy, and successful but life on the streets robs them of these things.

To the men and women in California: these youth are the future, who do you want them to grow up to be? Please support SB 123 as it will help the future generation!