What
Policy is important! Especially right now, when COVID-19 is further demonstrating just how many inequities exist in our society. We co-created a survey with 18+ other youth-centered organizations, groups, and the leadership of young people here in Oregon in order to find out the impacts of COVID on – especially BIPoC – youth in our community.
Why
To find out how young people, especially BIPOC youth, are being affected by COVID-19 and to connect them with resources based on impacts and needs they reported; to share the information out with the community to inform how we do our work; to have some hard numbers behind policy advocacy that youth organizations are engaged in related to COVID-19.
Policy Recommendations
Based on what we heard from participants we recommend these policy areas be prioritized:
💭 Funding and access to mental health resources (54% reported struggling with mental health, 37% reported mental health is a top 3 concern)
💸 Financial assistance or supplements for decreased income regardless of citizenship status (39% reported a decrease in income)
💻 Robust tech hardware and internet access for all students (22% reported technology difficulties, and 44% reported school is a top 3 concern)
🚌 Free transit (youth pass, hey @yejapdx) for all youth under 21 (24% reported transportation difficulties)
Head to bit.ly/youthcovidreport to find out all of the details
Head to bit.ly/youthcovidreport to find out all of the details