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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Eman Gad, Policy Coordinator at Girls for Gender Equity
6:43:43
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153 sec
Eman Gad, representing Girls for Gender Equity (GGE), testified to request continued funding support from the city council for FY26 youth programming. The testimony emphasized the importance of investing in youth, particularly black girls and gender expansive youth of color, amid a mental health crisis exacerbated by the pandemic.
- GGE requested a total of $900,000 from various initiatives, including $350,000 for the Young Women's Advisory Council (YWAC)
- YWAC develops young women into leaders through political education, civic engagement, and youth organizing strategies
- The testimony highlighted the critical role of GGE's programs in providing safe spaces and support for New York City youth
Eman Gad
6:43:43
Hello.
6:43:43
Good afternoon, chair Joseph, chair Brennan, and members of the committee, the joint committee.
6:43:48
My name is Iman Gad, and I'm the policy coordinator at Girls for Gender Equity.
6:43:52
GGE offers this testimony today because the funding we receive is imperative to the development and growth of black girls and gender expansive youth of color across New York City.
6:44:03
We request continued support from city council for our f y 26 youth programming in the amount of 350,000 from the young women's initiative, 200,000 from the domestic violence and empowerment initiative, 100,000 from the sports training and role models for success initiative, and 250,000 from the alternatives to incarceration funding.
6:44:25
Through this, GGE will continue to address the needs of young people across all five boroughs and expand its reach.
6:44:32
The time to invest in our youth is now.
6:44:34
As you've already heard firsthand from the numerous testimonies, young people are in desperate need of support.
6:44:40
Since the pandemic, there has been a youth mental health crisis.
6:44:44
Increased loneliness and isolation in this highly digital world has left young people, particularly black and Latine girls, without the social support they need.
6:44:53
This is where GGE steps in.
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Our programs are a safe space for New York City youth.
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And while I cannot describe each program in detail right now because of time constraints, I can tell you more about our Young Woman's Advisory Council, also known as WIWAC, which GGE seeks to expand with your increased support.
6:45:13
Born out of the speaker's young women initiative, WIWAC develops young women into leaders by exposing them to political education, civic engagement, and youth organizing strategies.
6:45:24
In the past year, our youth learned how to testify, host community events, and conduct digital activism.
6:45:31
They even learned different public service career pathways during our city council shadow day in February, which many of you actually participated in.
6:45:39
We hope that council supports our modest 350,000 requests to expand YWAC's curriculum and foster further collaborations with partner organizations and this council, in addition to the other requests detailed more in our written testimony.
6:45:53
Through these requested appropriation, council can reaffirm its commitment to black girls and gender expansive youth of color by supporting our lifesaving programs, especially at this dire time when funders are shying away from investments towards racial justice and DEI programming.
6:46:09
Remember, when New York City invests in its young people, it invests in its future.
6:46:14
Thank thank you.