Advocacy: How To Get Involved

Out-of-school time programs require broad support to survive and thrive. There are many ways you can become an advocate for out-of-school time programs that promote youth development in Boston.  We have organized this section by Local, Statewide and National Efforts and have created a list of resources for how you can get involved:

Become an Advocate

The Hakikazi Catalyst website offers a great set of concepts and exercises to get advocates thinking about the how and why of advocacy.

A guide from a national mental health organization provides a basic outline of how to become an advocate - from making an initial contact with a legislator to writing the thank you note.

The Right Question Project
This organization offers an effective, easy-to-use educational strategy and a clear vision of how to build a more democratic society. Its materials are useful for emerging advocates.

Make Contact

Send an email to afterschool_in_my_state@mg.com asking how you can get involved in Massachusetts. You'll receive information from The Afterschool Alliance  especially for new advocates.

The National Youth Advocacy Coalition's political and media contact list includes tips on formats for effective communications.

Find Your Legislators

Contact Massachusetts state legislators via an interactive website that provides office addresses and phone numbers for your representatives.

Attend an Advocacy Event

This schedule of out-of-school time events in Boston makes it easy to get involved. Attend marches, enter essay contests, join roundtable discussions and more for parents and advocates.

Parent Voices
Visit Parent Voices calendar of major statewide events regarding child care issues.

Learn to Collaborate

The Community Toolbox is dedicated to promoting community health and development through collaborative partnerships. It offers excellent information on organizing community and system change.

Examine the Law-Making Process

Learn how laws are made and how citizens can participate in the process. This website provides state legislator information, congressional district maps, a useful Frequently Asked Questions section, current legislation, laws, committee listings and more.