This webinar will teach participants how to engage in making change in their city, state, and country by becoming an advocate. The workshop will lead participants through the advocacy process, including:
- Why we should speak up for the issues that matter
- How to effectively make your voice heard
- How to engage your elected officials
- How to share powerful stories.
Speakers:
- Gina Plata-Nino is a Staff Attorney at Central West Justice Center. She joined the Central West Justice Center in January 2016 to manage the Food Security Outreach Project, a collaboration between CWJC and the Worcester County Food Bank. The goal of the project is to help clients successfully navigate and become enrolled in SNAP benefits with the help of Food Security volunteer advocates. Previously, she worked as a corporate associate in southeast Asia and as a law clerk at the Massachusetts Appeals Court for the Honorable Cynthia Cohen and Mark Kantrowitz. She also founded a nonprofit organization called Oon Jai, which works to alleviate poverty in southeast Asia.
- Adam Saltsman is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Urban Studies and Director of the Urban Action Institute (UAI) at Worcester State University. His research and teaching focus on urban inclusion and exclusion, migration, asylum, and displacement, and food security. As Director of the UAI, Adam creates experiential learning opportunities for students to practice civic engagement with community partners in the City of Worcester. Adam draws on many years of applied experience with international and domestic organizations to incorporate advocacy and leadership skill-building into his teaching