Girls Inc. of Alameda County’s Advocating Change Together (ACT) program is an advocacy and leadership initiative for high school girls who are committed to creating social change. This year, girls in the program chose to create a community survey about violence to ask Oakland residents about their experiences. Then they analyzed the resulting data, identified stakeholders and allies, and created policy recommendations to address the topic at the root. The following is their writing, showing the realities that our young people are trying to navigate in a rapidly changing city.

Julayne Virgil, CEO, Girls Inc. of Alameda County and Aujenee Johnson, Girls Inc. Alumna came in to talk about Girls Inc. of Alameda County which inspires girls to be strong through healthy living, smart through academic achievement and bold through leadership.