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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Rebecca, Member of Lower East Side Girls Club
5:38:09
·
3 min
Rebecca, a 15-year-old member of the Lower East Side Girls Club, shares her personal experience with youth-serving nonprofits and advocates for increased funding. She highlights how these organizations have positively impacted her life, providing support, opportunities, and personal growth.
- Rebecca emphasizes the critical role of nonprofits in supporting youth development and mental health.
- She describes her transformation from an isolated, unmotivated student to a confident public speaker through her involvement with the Lower East Side Girls Club and Star Citywide Girls Initiative.
- Rebecca urges the committee to increase funding for youth-serving nonprofits, stressing their importance in shaping young leaders and providing essential support for youth well-being.
Rebecca
5:38:09
Greetings.
5:38:10
My name is Rebecca and I am a 15 year old girl who is attending the Clinton School.
5:38:14
I first want to thank committee members for the opportunity to speak today about the critical role nonprofits play in supporting youth development, youth mental health, and why additional funding is essential for our communities.
5:38:26
I have personally experienced the impact of nonprofits always being there for everyone even if they're in need of support.
5:38:32
I have been a member of the Lower East Side Girls Club for a fifth of my entire life I would 100% say I haven't regretted a second of my time here.
5:38:41
I used to be isolated and lacked motivations or drive to do anything.
5:38:45
I was failing classes and had only two other people other than my family.
5:38:50
The girls club allowed me to open up my eyes and grasp what I wanted to be.
5:38:55
I got to meet many young women, career women, and most of all, kind and supportive people.
5:39:01
They helped me set goals for myself, be kind to myself, and to others.
5:39:05
They brought me to star citywide girls initiative events where I was met with opportunity to to be a fellow and meet other people like me and speak about issues we were passionate about.
5:39:18
We met and had vision sessions to share our ideas for the future and laid out plans on how to achieve this.
5:39:25
We held town halls and presented our ideas to the public.
5:39:28
Here, we showed that our young minds are capable and what would support us at this time.
5:39:35
Star CGI and Girls Club introduced me to public speaking.
5:39:38
It has grown me into standing up for myself and thinking about a better future for communities.
5:39:44
I will never forget the adults who made my current life happen.
5:39:47
I changed for the better seeing for the harsh reality seeing more of the harsh reality around us but also the beauty of the world and planning for everyone, not just some.
5:39:57
I learned to be thoughtful of the diversity we have in New York City so everyone is heard.
5:40:01
I learned to be confident, how to maintain a good mental state.
5:40:05
Without these non profits, I wouldn't be standing where I am.
5:40:08
Many women wouldn't wouldn't be where they are today.
5:40:11
People have careers because of Girls Club and Stars.
5:40:14
I can't repay them back other than being here today representing them even though I feel nervous and anxious.
5:40:20
I want to be here because these organizations matter to me, which is why I urge you to consider increasing funding for youth serving nonprofits like Star CGI and Lower East Side Girls Club.
5:40:31
They are organizations committed to growing young leaders.
5:40:34
They have helped people invest in their future, brought people together, and so so so much more.
5:40:39
It is so important at this time.
5:40:41
In closing, youth well-being is not a luxury.
5:40:44
It is a necessity.
5:40:45
Initiatives like STER CGI and organizations like the Girls Club play a vital role in ensuring young people like me have access to care and support we all need to make mistakes, learn, grow.
5:40:55
With continued and additional funding, they can continue to provide safe spaces, mentorship, and critical resources that truly change lives.
5:41:04
I appreciate the opportunity to share my experience and advocate for increased support.
5:41:08
Let me remind you each one of us is a person and we have different things that matter to us.
5:41:13
These nonprofit organizations are a sole reason I stay standing up and many other people would feel the same.
5:41:18
We young people are the future and we need the help you can provide.
5:41:22
Thank you.