Imagine the halls of Kentucky’s Capitol buzzing with the energy of hundreds of young voices all united for a single purpose. On March 5th, 2025, Frankfort witnessed this powerful scene as young advocates from across the Commonwealth convened for Kentucky Youth Advocates’ annual Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol – their participation throughout Children’s Advocacy Week 2025.
However, the excitement didn’t start there. On the eve of Children’s Advocacy Day, we hosted a retreat to bring together youth and young adult leaders from across the Commonwealth to connect and engage in hands-on activities to enhance their advocacy skills, expand their understanding of the legislative process, and prepare for a day at the Capitol.
Future changemakers representing diverse groups, such as KYA’s Health Youth Ambassadors, Housing Policy Ambassadors, True Up’s Peer Network, Truth Telling Circles’ grant, and youth from Graves Co ASAP, attended this year’s action-packed retreat in Frankfort.
Mock Legislative Committee
The standout event of the retreat was the mock legislative committee meeting which offered the young advocates a glimpse into the world of policy making and an opportunity to practice testifying in front of a committee of partners and volunteers.
Advocates were divided into small groups based on area of interest and each group was assigned to respond to an issue/topic that impacts Kentucky kids. In these small groups, advocates explored the implications of their assigned topic on children and families, identified policy solutions, and drafted persuasive testimonies in support of their policy recommendation that they presented to a “mock committee” in support of their policy recommendation. Advocates gained experience in making their voices heard as they presented their testimony and fielded questions from the panel.
This activity illustrated the powerful impact that youth voices and personal stories can have on shaping policies that touch countless lives. Taliyah Hamilton, a member of the Housing Policy Ambassadors reflected on her experience:
“This retreat with Kentucky Youth Advocates was an opportunity to get familiar with the state’s legislative process. I’m thankful for all the conversations that I had and the connections that I made with other youth and young adults in Kentucky. It was inspiring to hear how much hope there is to come!
Through this experience, future change-makers prepared to take the halls of Frankfort’s Capitol, carrying with them knowledge and the understanding that their voice matters, and deserves to be heard.
Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol
On March 5th, the Capitol building in Frankfort was buzzing with the energy of young advocates and supporters of Kentucky’s children. The day was packed with activities designed to amplify the voices of youth and engage with legislators. From individual legislative meetings, the Rally for Kentucky’s Kids, and attending Committee Meetings, the day provided a platform for Kentucky’s youth to directly engage with the legislative process.
The significance of Children’s Advocacy Week in empowering young voices and fostering a new generation of civic leaders cannot be overstated. This event not only impacted the legislators present but also inspired youth participants, ensuring that the voices of Kentucky’s children will continue to resonate in the halls of power for years to come.
As Isabella Cornett, a former Health Youth Ambassador and 2025 recipient of a Champion for Children Award, reflected:
“I was incredibly honored to receive an award during this year’s retreat, and I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to be at our state capital celebrating the achievements and dedication of so many incredible kids. These kids deserve to achieve whatever they dream, and they hold the keys to our future. Children’s Advocacy Week gets us one step closer to ensuring their voices are heard and their potential is fully realized.”
Similarly, Zachary Crouch, a Health Youth Ambassador and opening speaker of the 2025 Rally for Kentucky Kids, shared:
“My retreat was amazing for so many reasons and because of so many people. I love everything we learned as a group, all the laughs and good times, and all the PREP we did for advocacy day. It was taken seriously and that’s what us youth need to feel appreciated. THANK YOU KYA!”
Additionally, during Children’s Advocacy Week, Health Youth Ambassador Josie Ward introduced Lt Governor Coleman at the Kickoff event and Housing Policy Ambassador Savvy Hughes facilitated the Conversation with the Next Generation of KY Leaders.
Taliyah Hamilton, Isabella Cornett, and Zachary Crouch in action at Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol 2025
These heartfelt reflections underscore the transformative power of Children’s Advocacy Week—not just as an event but as a movement that equips young advocates with the tools and confidence to enact meaningful change. We eagerly anticipate seeing how these empowered youth will leverage their experiences to drive positive change in their communities, inspiring a brighter future for all of Kentucky’s children.
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