Chicago YAP youth, their Advocates and other YAP staff took a trip to their state capital in Springfield to show and tell lawmakers why they should invest in programs like YAP. The visit was part of a May 16 Lobby Day and rally organized by the inVEST campaign.

YAP youth and Advocates joined other Chicago organizations to make the case for using $150 million in public funding to reduce gun violence in Illinois’ most at-risk communities. Specifically the Chicago organizations hope $100 million will be invested in Chicago’s neighborhoods and a $50 million investment in other communities across the state.

The Lobby Day was a great opportunity for Chicago YAP participants to share stories with state representatives, some of whom took extra time to speak to YAP youth, like Rep. Fran Hurley and Rep. Justin Slaughter.