Posts in Advocacy
Girls Empowerment Network is a Polling Place: Empowering Changemakers at Our Austin Location for the Upcoming Presidential Election!

Girls Empowerment Network (GEN) is proud to announce that our Austin office will serve as an official polling location for Election Day 2024. This initiative aligns with GEN’s mission of advocacy and civic engagement, inspired by our commitment to “Changemaking,” the newest addition to our Seven Cs of Self-Efficacy. Discover how this idea sparked in a team meeting and led to GEN partnering with Travis County to support our local community in this historic election.

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AdvocacyAna Juarez
The Texas 88th Legislative Session: A Monumental Step Forward for Girls Empowerment Network’s Investment in Advocacy

Girls Empowerment Network involvement in The Texas 88th legislative session (22-23) was monumental regarding both the level of investment in advocacy as an organization and bills that will deeply impact the life of youth across Texas. Read the legislative wrap-up report detailing the actions taken during this session and the plans for the future for our Policy and Advocacy team as they continue to advocate for Texas teen girls.

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The Spark Change Project Teen Facilitators Discover the Power of Advocacy, Deliver Powerful Testimonies at the Texas State Capitol on Issues Affecting Teen Girls Today.

Spark Change Project Teen Facilitators take the stand at the Texas State Capitol and testify on issues affecting Texas girls today. Teen facilitators have been tracking, researching, and testifying during the Texas legislative session when possible ob bills regarding mental health, menstrual products accessibility, and hair autonomy.

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Policy Fellows Make Actionable Change for Texas Youth at the Federal Policy Immersion Experience in Washington, DC

Advocacy work is in close alignment with Girls Empowerment Network's mission to ignite the power in girls. Through the Spark Change Project and the Hogg Foundation’s Mental Health Policy Fellowship, we are helping create a Texas that girls deserve. Current Mental Health Policy Fellow, Ana O’Quin, interviews our former fellow, Vanessa Beltran on her experience in DC, at Girls Empowerment Network, and advocating for policy in the Texas legislature.

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Advocacy, Mental HealthGuest User
Girl Advocates Team Up for 2022 Spark Change Day

The Annual Spark Change Day which took place at Hutson-Tillotston University. This was the second event this year held by the Spark Change Project, a partnership between the Exellence & Advancement Foundation and Girls Empowerment Network. The teenage Spark Change Facilitators led the attendees through training sessions on the topics of advocacy, activism and civic engagement.

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Spark Change Day Returns to Texas Capitol, Empowers Girls and Youth Seeking Change Through Advocacy

Spark Change Day is a day-long advocacy event for Texas youth in grades 6 – 12 to learn about civic engagement and how they can raise their voices to bring about positive change for issues they care about. Jointly held by the Excellence & Advancement Foundation and Girls Empowerment Network, the in-person event will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2022, from 10am – 4pm at the Texas Capitol.

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State of Girls Mental Health

Mental health is a state of well-being in which a girl can cope with the normal stresses of life, participate effectively in activities like school, and contribute to her community. While mental illness can affect all children and youth, research shows girls are at greater risk for certain mental health conditions. Self-efficacy, a girl’s belief in her ability to succeed, enhances a girl’s sense of well-being and promotes good mental health.

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Spark Change Day Ignites Civic Engagement, Advocacy Know-how for Texas’ Tween and Teen Girls

Spark Change Day is a half-day, interactive virtual event that will inspire Texas girls in grades 6 – 12 to develop their unique voice so they can effectively advocate for themselves and issues they care about. The event, which is offered at no charge, will be held on Saturday, May 15, 2021, from 1-5pm. Pre-registration is required.

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