As Philadelphia is gearing up for its 100th mayoral election, local organizations are looking to make the voices of Philadelphia youth heard. To enhance the youths’ voices, multiple organizations, NSNP included, joined The Kids’ Campaign.

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The Kids’ Campaign is a nonpartisan grassroots effort ensuring all mayoral candidates place Philadelphia youth as a top priority in their platforms. The campaign emphasizes its S.E.C.U.R.E agenda: safety, education, careers, uplift, recreation, and environment.

NSNP’s youth rallied at City Hall on January 20 to support the campaign’s kickoff press conference, along with other youth-focused organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, Children First, Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative, and many more to launch The Kids’ Campaign’s agenda. As gun violence, drugs, and poverty continue to rise in Philadelphia, the campaign calls for more action, by all, in the city.

“We don’t need mayoral candidates who are trying. We need people and all of you to step up and say, ‘this is what we’re going to do,’” said Marcus Allen, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence, during the campaign’s kickoff press conference. Following Allen, Maritza Guridy — a Latina parent, community organizer, and active citizen — voiced how Philadelphians want the city to be a safe place for children, but “it is not.”

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“I know the fear of being a victim of violence, and no one should ever feel unsafe in their school, neighborhood, or community,” said Gurity. Amongst the adults speaking, the campaign was sure to have multiple area high school students share their ideas as well. Making the closing statement, Starre Nkpagayee, a Parkway Northwest High School senior, voices her concern for minors like her in this city and how they all deserve a safe and bright future in Philadelphia. Nkpagayee shares her findings from a recent gathering of students when discussing the state of Philadelphia.

“Students expressed that they do not feel safe in their homes or communities, and they want to see real solutions that can be seen in their zip codes or on their blocks. They want to see elected officials who do more than talk about safety policies but understand how to effectively implement meaningful policies into peoples’ everyday lives. Bad policies affect us too. So, we need more action and less talk,” she says, “We are waiting for you.”

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The Kids’ Campaign hopes that by voting season in May, the city will know how each mayoral candidate plans to make The Kids’ Campaign a reality, and that will help citizens choose whom to vote for.

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NSNP hopes that by supporting The Kids’ Campaign, more of their youth, their families, and the community will unite to create a better future for our children and help elect a mayor that wants to do just that. To learn more about The Kid’s Campaign, follow them on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter: @PHLkidscampaign.