01Yesterday’s Children’s Advocacy Day was one of the biggest yet, with over 700 children, youth, and adults attending to ask leaders to step up for kids in 2015. Thank you to the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children partners, sponsors, speakers, performers, and elected and appointed officials who made the day possible. And thank you to the hundreds of people—including more than 150 youth—who prioritized Kentucky’s kids and took time to advocate on their behalf!

During the rally, we presented the 2015 Champion for Children Community Leader of the Year Award to Randy Coe, President of Kosair Charities, for his work to protect children from child abuse. We also presented 2015 Champion for Children awards to several elected and appointed officials for their work on behalf of children, including Senate President Robert Stivers, Senator Whitney Westerfield, Senator Denise Harper Angel, Representative John Tilley, Representative Rick Rand, Representative Addia Wuchner, Representative Susan Westrom, Secretary Audrey Tayse Haynes, Secretary J. Michael Brown, and Commissioner Teresa James. President Stivers addressed the crowd and assured them that legislators will continue to protect Kentucky kids.

Lieutenant Governor Crit Luallen energized advocates at the rally and reminded them that their voice matters, not just on Children’s Advocacy Day, but every day in Frankfort. After the rally, she spoke to youth at the Capitol Education Center and encouraged them to be leaders and to stand up for themselves—and for other youth and children across the Commonwealth.

See what happened on social media by reading the Children’s Advocacy Day Storify.

Be sure to keep up the momentum by following legislative updates and taking action throughout the rest of the 2015 General Assembly. View our legislative updates page here and our action alerts here. Want to receive action alerts in your inbox? Sign up for our email updates here. Several children’s bills are progressing quickly and will go up for votes soon, so take action today. Read what has happened this week since the General Assembly resumed their session here.

We look forward to seeing you at the 12th Annual Children’s Advocacy Day in 2016!