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It’s a new record!

September 26th, 2008 | 1 Comment | Posted in From the Field, Photos
456 new voters enfranchised!

456 new voters enfranchised!

Roxanne Banks-Williams and Terry Griffin (and former League interns Justin Witmer and Moshe Sherman) and about 50 more amazing volunteers registered the inmates at the Allegheny County Jail today — and came back with 456 new voter registrations!

Now don’t you wish you were there?  Volunteer to help copy and stamp all of these so we can turn them in to the Division of Elections!

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Reasons to Vote

September 9th, 2008 | 1 Comment | Posted in From the Field, Something said

At the Allegheny County Jail today, we registered inmates and asked them why it was important to them that they voted in the next election. Here are a few of their answers!

I am voting because:

“I want to see change” — George

“I am voting, more people need to” — Richard

“because I want my vote to count” — Thomas

“It’s a right and I [would] like McCain to win!” — Floyd

“the economy is not what it was and it needs to improve.” — Jabbail

“I want change for the people and my children!” - David

“many people died for me to have the right to vote (I am African American)” — Vaughn

“cause I’m tired of the bulls**t!” — Clinton

“WE NEED CHANGE!” — Douglas

Opinions expressed belong solely to the individuals and are not necessarily those of the PA League.
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When it’s more than just the work

August 27th, 2008 | No Comments | Posted in From the Field
Roxanne Banks-Williams, Director of Education & Training

Roxanne Banks-Williams, Director of Education & Training

As an organizer for the PA League of Young Voters Education Fund, one of the most rewarding experiences has always been the outreach we do at the jails (like the Allegheny County Jail and the Schuman Juvenile Detention Center). Most often we have found that the inmates or residents are genuinely happy to have us visit them. They are not only happy to see us, but they appreciate the message that we are bringing to them. They are happy to know that we care enough to make sure they know their rights as citizens, and that we are helping to make sure their voices are heard and their votes are counted.

Every once in a while we get a special request. Usually people ask if we are hiring. We are not usually able to help much there. Sometimes we are asked for connections to resources. We are sometimes able to assist with that stuff. Then, sometimes we come across someone who just needs a little love.

This time around we met a young lady named Tracey. She was especially receptive to us when we visited with her and the other ladies in the Second-Chance Parenting program at the Allegheny County Jail. I think she may have felt the friendly vibe and the unconditional love that brings us to this work. She went out on a limb and wrote Carly and I both letters. She basically told her story, and how she appreciated our work, and asked for help…she asked for a friend. She has no family here, and the family she has left has disowned her. She is away from her native home of Philadelphia, and her mom passed away while she was incarcerated here in Pittsburgh. She gets no letters, no visits, has no one to call… More »

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