By Leondrea Johnson
About a year ago, one of the staff people at YouthBuild Louisville told us he had an opportunity for a couple of us to participate in. When we met the first time with Kentucky Youth Advocates, the work they talked about pulled me in. They asked us about what changes we wanted to see in our community and talked about things that some of us had experienced – like school suspensions and juvenile detention.
We formed a group – REFORM Louisville – and decided on three things to focus our efforts on:
- Helping youth see they have a voice in their community;
- Pushing for more positive opportunities and activities for youth; and
- Seeking a more effective justice system that helps them be ready to return to the community after incarceration.
With the group, we’ve had the opportunity to visit our state Capitol for Children’s Advocacy Week, talk to legislators, and meet with people in city leadership.
When we met with state legislators, we were nervous at first, but they were encouraging. We had the team there, which also made it easier. They actually wanted to hear what we had to say, and they encouraged us to speak with others and share our story. In one meeting, the Senator took the time to meet with us even when it conflicted with another meeting. He listened to what we had to say, and in the middle of the meeting, he called someone in to take notes on an idea for a change to state law based on what we had shared with him. Later that week, that bill passed with that change in it, and he gave us a shoutout on the Senate floor during the vote. It made me feel so proud – and he remembered my name. I wanted to tell everyone!
Having a senator listen to what we said and take action was more than we expected. The words I had just said to him mattered enough to make him want to change state law. Because of that change, youth who are incarcerated will be able to have some contact with the outside and people that actually care about them and want to help.
When we first started this work, I didn’t think I had a voice. I was nervous at first, but I’ve realized over this year the power of having a team to support you. Sometimes you just need to go for it.
Leondrea Johnson is a member of REFORM Louisville.
[…] awarded for their work in helping the youth of the state. It included co-worker Leondrea Johnson REFORM Louisvillea group that connects with young people in prison and helps them get back on track after […]