During the 2021 legislative session, we supported and championed bills that addressed breaking down systemic barriers to civic participation. We were able to support the passage of numerous bills rooted in racial, gender, and economic justice, such as updating ballot postmark date to election day, the voter language access act, ending slavery, child care for… Read More
We’re so excited to welcome two new amazing people to the Next Up organizing and youth leadership development team. Antonia McSwain (they/them), has joined as the Youth Leadership Organizer, and Erin San Antonio (they/siya) is the Community Engagement Organizer. Read more about each of them below. Antonia McSwain Youth Leadership Organizer Antonia (they/them) is a… Read More
Our board and youth leaders are the core of Next Up’s community. We’re so grateful for everything they contribute to Next Up, and we want to uplift their voices to our extended community! Below we’ve highlighted six board of directors and youth action team members who shared their stories with us. We also conducted one… Read More
We’re back in Willamette Week’s Give!Guide for a 5th year! Give!Guide features 170+ nonprofits based in Portland that are handpicked for their impact on Portland communities. Our goal is to raise $15,000 through Give!Guide while celebrating and lifting up the young people who do the work of leading Oregon forward. Here are 5 reasons to… Read More
Move over, Netflix. Try subscribing to democracy! Monthly donations, of any amount, offer the most stable and sustainable support for our work. This year, we’re in a one-week, friendly competition with other youth organizations around the county – meaning your monthly donation could help us unlock even more support from the Alliance for Youth Action. Join… Read More
Dear Friend, As most of you know, in Spring of 2021, Samantha Gladu announced that she would be stepping down as Executive Director of Next Up and Next Up Action Fund. Thanks to Samantha’s three years of leadership, she collaboratively built a visionary 5 year strategic plan that set strong policies and values in place… Read More
Dear Friend, It’s time for the 2021 legislative wrap-up. When we entered the session in January we had a bold agenda to transform our electoral system. We prioritized bills that were rooted in racial, economic, and youth justice, and more specifically, ones that would break down systemic barriers to participation, and increase equitable processes and… Read More
One of our priority bills for the session which will address civics education updates, SB 702, passed both chambers and is now headed to the governor’s desk to be signed! SB 702 would require that during the State Board of Education’s existing review of social studies standards for kindergarten through grade 12, they shall consider… Read More
CONTACT: Isabela Villarreal, isabela@nextuporegon.org Today the Oregon House passed HB 3291, which will allow for ballots to be accepted if they are mailed by Election Day. As an organization that builds political power and strong, effective leadership pipelines for diverse young people we strongly support updating postmark date for ballots. We’re heartened by the Legislature’s… Read More
Endorsement Background Please note that an endorsement does guarantee that field (calls or texts) on behalf of the campaign will be done. It’s time for school district elections! We are particularly interested in races that include candidates and campaigns aligned with our values and are under 35 years old, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, LGBTQIA+, disabled… Read More
