ADVOCACY

LiveGirl's advocacy mission is to drive policies and practices that open doors for girls and women. We empower youth voices to break down barriers and create a more equitable future where all girls thrive.

What Is Advocacy? 

Advocacy is the heart of the ongoing fight for justice and equality within our communities. It reflects an unwavering commitment to amplifying voices and creating opportunities for everyone to thrive. Advocacy comes to life through collaboration with legislators, building grassroots networks, and initiating impactful petitions!

Anyone can be an advocate, and everyone has the power to create meaningful change!

Why Is Advocacy Important?

At LiveGirl, we believe that advocacy is a catalyst for progress. By uniting the diverse voices of girls across Connecticut, we amplify their stories to drive change at local, state, and federal levels. Our advocacy efforts:

• Provide girls with opportunities to meet with legislators and testify on issues they care about.

• Educate youth on how to influence policy and become effective advocates.

• Create real impact on policies that affect girls, women, and marginalized communities.

Get Involved!

Take Action

Let’s advocate for At-Risk Youth in Connecticut!
Join our Student Coalition and be part of the movement to protect and empower women and girls.

Our 2025-26 Advocacy Priorities

State of Connecticut

• Reproductive Health: Advocating for accessible, equitable healthcare to ensure individuals have the freedom to make informed decisions about their bodies.

• Education Equality: Championing equitable access to quality education for all, breaking down barriers to opportunity and success.

• Youth Justice: Reforming the youth justice system by addressing root causes of crime, raising the age of arrest from 10 to 14, and moving young offenders out of adult facilities.

• Human Trafficking: Fighting to end exploitation by raising awareness, empowering survivors, and advocating for stronger protective measures.

Federal

• Immigration: Supporting humane and inclusive policies that uphold the dignity and rights of immigrants and their families.

• Mental Health: Improving youth mental health, increasing access to care, and reimagining crisis response systems.

• Health Care: Expanding access to affordable healthcare, increasing federal funding for Medicare/Medicaid, and strengthening coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

How to Advocate

Step 1: Find Your Legislator

Use this tool to locate your state representative:
Find Your State Representative

1. Find your town.

2. Select your street name.

3. Enter your address number.

Tip: Research your legislator’s committee assignments or key issues to tailor your outreach.

Step 2: Write Your Advocacy Email

1. Introduce yourself: Share who you are, where you live, and what school you attend.

2. Explain your issue: Use facts, personal stories, or one of LiveGirl’s advocacy priorities.

3. Make the ask: Request your legislator’s support on the specific bill or issue you’re advocating for.

Step 3: Testify on a Bill

Two Ways to Testify:

1. Oral Testimony: Delivered live at public hearings (scheduled 5 days in advance).

• Register in advance to speak.

• Keep your testimony clear, concise, and under 3 minutes.

2. Written Testimony: Submit your testimony online.

• Submit Written Testimony Here

Tips for Testimony:

• Address the chair and committee members.

• Clearly state whether you support or oppose the bill.

• Use statistics to emphasize your point (e.g., “If married young, girls are 31% more likely to face poverty in adulthood”).

• Share personal stories, but only include information you’re comfortable making public.

Advocacy Tools

• How a Bill Becomes Law in CT:
  Learn the Legislative Process

• Find Your Legislator:
  Locate Your Representatives

New! Absentee Ballots: let’s support the expanded use of absentee ballots to increase voter accessibility and ensure every voice is heard in Connecticut’s elections!

LiveGirl Initiatives

Our advocacy focuses on the most pressing issues impacting youth today:

• Fighting for At-Risk Youth in Connecticut

• Advancing Education Equality

• Promoting Reproductive Health

• Fighting for Equal Voting Rights

How Can You Become an Advocate?

1. Find Your Passion: Identify an issue you care deeply about—whether it’s reproductive rights, education, or youth justice.

2. Educate Yourself: Research the problem, its solutions, and how it has been addressed in the past.

3. Gather Support: Build a network of peers to amplify your message and organize campaigns or clubs.

4. Collaborate with Legislators: Reach out to decision-makers to express your concerns and advocate for policies that create lasting change.

   
   

   Find what form of activism best suits you:Explore Here

Always Remember:

Every voice matters. Every story counts. You have the power to create change—don’t be afraid to use it!

Get Involved

To become involved in LiveGirl’s student-led advocacy, learn more about our Leadership Council.

Advocating for issues that we are passionate about can lead to positive change for people struggling with specific problems. Advocacy means believing that every problem has a solution and pushing for that solution.

The ability to advocate lies within every person— every girl— so do not be afraid to raise your voice!