Good evening, Councilmembers. My name is Kat Engleman and I’m the Civic Engagement Coordinator for Youth United for Change, a community organization based in Kensington since the 90s. Through our community project known as the VOTA!, I have trained young people for 2 years to have 967 canvassing conversations with residents about the issues our community faces and what can be done to change them. It is no secret that the challenges facing our neighborhood are significant.  Even without a global pandemic, the conditions we face are far beyond what many in this city navigate on a regular basis. However, since COVID-19, we have seen just how much our problems can worsen when not given the appropriate supports, such as the rise in drug use, or the record number of gun violence incidents.

Hello readers, my name is Antoinette Ellis. I am a citywide chapter member of Youth United for Change (YUC), a nonprofit and community based organization in Kensington. I am 15 years old and will be an incoming high school sophomore this fall. This is my first year with YUC, but I have become deeply invested with the organization and the work they do. 

YUC Members have been hard at work, virtually and in-person, to register our community to vote and to advance our trash campaign. Check out what they've learned and accomplished so far!