California’s Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 201 celebrates the dignity and rights of pregnant and parenting youth by recognizing August 25th as “California Young Parents Day.” ACR 201 was sponsored by California Latinas for Reproductive Justice (CLRJ) and authored by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-80) in 2016. This resolution impacts how pregnant and parenting youth are treated and perceived in California and upholds the rights of young people to self-determination and bodily autonom
“Celebrating California Young Parents Day on August 25th is an important step in demonstrating that California policymakers continue to lead the nation in affirming that all youth are valuable and deserving of dignity and opportunity. This day uplifts the contributions of young parents and recognizes that when young parents do well economically, educationally, and socially, their children do better and so do all of our communities.” Assembly Member Christina Garcia
The passage of ACR-201 serves as a framework to inform future policy decisions that affect the well-being of young parents. It sends a clear message that continued public policy work needs to tackle the extensive health, educational and systemic inequities many low-income Latina/o/x youth are facing, such as access to comprehensive sexual health education, education and career opportunities, as well as support services such as childcare, healthcare, housing assistance and job training.
“For the sake of family cohesion, please help young parents as they face financial and educational hurdles in raising their kids,” said Sen. Holly J. Mitchell, D-Los Angeles, who last year carried the measure in the Senate. “When they thrive, all of us will be better off.”
Parenting youth are asking you and I to:
- Stop using punitive messages regarding Latina/o youth sexuality, particularly young parents.
- Support policies that improve educational outcomes for all Latina/o youth, pregnant, parenting or not.
- Invest resources in programs that offer both comprehensive sexuality education and support young parents.
- Support community-informed research to better elucidate the sexual, reproductive and overall needs of young Latinas/os and improve approaches that normalize human sexuality.
- Invite young people to inform policy decisions that reflect their lived experiences and uphold their dignity.
“Young parents deserve our support, just like all families do. California Young Parents Day is a chance for us to show our love and support to these vital members of our community and to celebrate their dreams, their goals, and their contributions to society.” Laura Jimenez, Executive Director, CLRJ
Join us and ask all your questions on the Media Advisory Conference Call:
August 24, 2017, 3:00 PM (PST) / 6:00 (EST) U.S. (Toll Free): 1 877 568 4106
Access Code: 801-484-685
California Latinas for Reproductive Justice (CLRJ) is a statewide organization with national impact that is committed to honoring the experiences of Latinas to uphold our dignity, our bodies, sexuality, and families. At CLRJ we build Latinas’ power and cultivate leadership through community education, policy advocacy, and community-informed research to achieve Reproductive Justice for all Latinas/x in California.
*A note on language (Latina/x): CLRJ includes “X’ intentionally in spelling Latinxs to represent the diversity of our community and to include persons who do not conform to “traditional” gender identities.
Media Contact
Company Name: California Latinas for Reproductive Justice
Contact Person: Luz Rodriguez, Communications Manager
Email: Communications@clrj.org
Phone: 646-318-1952
Address:P.O. BOX 861766
City: Los Angeles
State: California 90086
Country: United States
Website: http://www.clrj.org/