Fresh Lifelines for Youth (FLY)

Reposted from @tiimoapp Today is World Autism Day and the whole of April is Autism Awareness Month. We, following the lead of so many within the Autistic community, would prefer for this time period to be reframed as Autism Acceptance instead of awareness. There needs to be a move away from (largely neurotypical) people just talking about Autism, into them actually taking positive action on how they can make their environments (school, workplaces, neighbourhoods) more ac...commodating for Autistic people. If you are neurotypical, and approaching this month with an aim to learn more about Autism, we have some suggestions of good places to start: listening & learning from #ActuallyAutistic people (& make sure that you are hearing from a wide variety...remember those intersections we are always talking about!) watching media which has been made by or in consultation with Autistic people supporting ND businesses, with shares, likes or purchases if you are able (we have featured a lovely range of businesses here on our account - you can easily check them out in our Small Business Sunday Guide) if you want to donate money, please make sure that it is either going directly to Autistic people, or to an organisation that genuinely advocates for them and/or has Autistic people involved in their leadership and strategy. Do some research before you part with your money, as you might be doing more harm than good. To all those who are Autistic in our community - we are also aware that this month can be difficult and triggering. We see you and stand with you. Please do look after yourselves and be extra careful to look after your energy and wellbeing. Image Description:[A multicoloured background representing the Autism spectrum. In the foreground in white is an infinity symbol (which is a preferred symbol for Autism within much of the adult Autism community), and above it the words "Autism Acceptance Week" and below it in smaller text "29th March - 4th April"] #WorldAutismAwarenessDay

Today is International Transgender Day of Visibility, a day to celebrate transgender and nonbinary people around the world. It is also a day to remember our fight, and our empowerment. Swipe for a few things to do today, especially if you’re not transgender and would like to learn more about allyship Reposted from @pinkmantaray ... #tdov #transdayofvisibility

"Preservation of one's own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures." - Cesar Chavez In honor of the lasting impact and legacy of labor leader and civil rights activist, Cesar Chavez, the FLY Offices will be closed today in observance of the #CesarChavezDay.

Happy National Doctor's Day! A big salute to our frontline heroes for their selfless and unconditional service to humanity. Thank You, Doctors! An illustration by @hued.spirit... #nationaldoctorsday #doctors #heroes #doctorsday2020 Reposted from @lollypop_design

History and words matter. On March 26, 1790, the Naturalization Act was signed into law, prohibiting non white people from U.S. citizenship. That’s why today, on March 26, we show our support for Asian American communities using the hashtag #StopAsianHate. WHY?... Asian Americans are still enduring the racism instated in our country’s founding. Asian elders and children are afraid to leave their homes in fear of being physically assaulted in the streets. And we’re still grieving the murders of 6 Asian American women in a targeted killing spree in Atlanta last week. ACTIONS TO TAKE GET INVOLVED in local efforts. Sign a collective community statement, and share ways to support victims of hate crimes and their families DONATE to the victims of violent acts and their families LOBBY federal, state, and local partners to take actions to #StopAsianHate and URGE elected officials to build out local Asian American Advisory Councils WRITE and CALL your Congresspeople. Ask them to pass Congresswoman Grace Meng’s COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act and Congressman Don Beyer’s Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act. Don’t know your elected representative? Find it onhouse.gov. URGE the Department of Justice Community Relations Service to work closely with civil rights coalition partners to boost outreach, coordinate engagement, and introduce new partners to condemn domestic terrorism and bigotry. You can call them at202-353-1555. SUPPORT existing AAPI based social justice organizations and initiatives such as @advancing_justice_atl @stopaapihate @napawf @aapiforceef @aapiwomenlead Need a more detailed list? Refer toasianamericandayofaction.com. : @meldcole @emily_._lynn @cellenium @seancheesecake #StopAsianHate #HATEISAVIRUS Reposted from @hateisavirus

Happy #InternationalWomensMonth! For the entire month, every week we will be highlighting some amazing female activists that everyone should be following. Today we’d like to spotlight Lillian Lennon, a transgender activist, artist, and the co-founder of @talkeetnapride, the LGBTQ+ Resource Center for Talkeetna, Alaska. In 2018, she successfully fought against Proposition 1, which sought to deny transgender people in Anchorage the right to use the bathroom that matches their gender identity and is constantly working towards dispelling dangerous myths about the transgender community. Follow her journey on IG and twitter @mslillianlennon !

Shoutout to our corporate sponsor, SurveyMonkey for featuring us in their latest blog post detailing their new platform, Contribute! Through SurveyMonkey Contribute, users can take surveys in exchange for a SurveyMonkey donation to one of the dozens of nonprofits that they feature. Since its inception, Contribute has generated over $15 million for worthy causes! We could not be more honored to stand alongside so many amazing organizations. Thank you for partnering with us! Learn more about how you can contribute by reading their blog post.

FLY alumna Kianna generously shared her artistic talent with the Public Defender's Office and has gifted them several pieces of her original art! Here is what she wanted to convey with her work: "My name is Kianna and I have been working with FLY in a handful of ways for a few years now. I am extremely happy to be blessed with a talent I can share with others. Without my support system, family and FLY family, I wouldn’t have the opportunities that I have today. I wish for my paintings to inspire others and to spark hope, faith and strength. My message for the eyes viewing my art is Always remember: YOU are somebody! #FLYMagic

In honor of FLY's 20th anniversary, every week until the end of the year we will be looking back and sharing a milestone that led to where we are today. Our third milestone takes place in 2003, when FLY's Law Program expanded to Santa Clara County's Juvenile Hall. This was a huge step for us in growing our Law Program to how it stands now, being taught all over 3 different counties. #FLYTurns20

CALIFORNIA we just made history! Reposted from @yesonprop17 #YesOnProp17 #FreeTheVote... #DemocracyNeedsEveryone See more

The power of the people is greater than the people in power. Every vote matters so we must COUNT EVERY VOTE. #EveryVoteCounts #CountEveryVote #YourVoiceMatters #VotersDecide

Count every vote because every vote counts. Repost from @aclu_nationwide Saying this louder for the politicians in the back: COUNT. EVERY. VOTE.

Get in line or if you’re already in line, stay in line. You have rights! If you need assistance make the call. Repost from @aclu_nationwide REMINDER: Our state offices are working with a network of election protection lawyers and volunteers on the ground to make sure every eligible American can exercise their constitutional right to vote and that each and every vote is counted. Get out there and vote.

Sí Se Puede Collective has organized this Solidarity Action to make sure all voters feel safe, empowered and ready to vote at the Mexican Heritage Plaza on November 3rd! Let's feed, educate and protect one another as we build a deeper democracy and #GetOutTheVote! Come through to VOTE and learn your voting rights, eat free food from Veggielution's food truck, and pick up Rapid Response information + PPE (protective equipment).... The movement doesn't end on November 3. We will continue to stand against a climate of fear, and instead step into our power. Let's organize beyond the 2020 elections! #PowerNotFear

We all want the same things for our communities and our kids: health, thriving schools and communities. Join FLY in voting #YesOn15 to reclaim $12b for the critical services we need to succeed. #SchoolsAndCommuntiesFirst

Happy Halloween Eve!! To celebrate the season, our SMC Leadership Program held their very first socially distanced in-person event: PUMPKIN CARVING! We wish everyone a safe and happy Halloween tomorrow. #FLYProgram

TO FLY FAMILY IN OAKLAND: Measure Y will raise $735 million for Oakland USD to repair deteriorating classrooms, remove dry rot and mold, invest in upgraded technology for distance learning, improve core academic learning spaces, and more. Measure Y would also help in supporting transition age youth through the establishment of a career technical education hub. Join us in supporting Oakland youth. Please share and please VOTE! ... #SupportYouth #Oakland #OUSD #MeasureY #VoterGuide

FLY supports Propositions 15, 16, and 17 for the benefit of our youth, families, and communities. Please share and please VOTE! Visit our website for a more detailed description of each prop: rebrand.ly/FLY-VoterGuide #CaliforniaVoterGuide

Congrats to Albert, one of our STAY FLY youth, for graduating from the YA DEJ Program! Despite joining the program during the pandemic, he still completed EVERYTHING, which was no easy feat. We're all so proud of him!! #FLYProgram #StayFLY