Is There an Advocate in The House?

Sometimes in conversations we ask questions that we can almost be certain of the answers?

For instance, have you ever been in a situation where you needed someone to back you up?

Have you ever needed someone to protect you?

Have you ever needed someone to publicly stand up for you?

Have you ever needed someone to plead your case?

A Need for An Advocate

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, you needed an advocate.

Advocates help to plead in favor or someone else, they argue their case or cause. Advocates help to do what is best for the people they represent.

Advocates also defend or comfort those they represent.

Children can’t always speak up for themselves. They may not always be able to voice their concerns, fears or share their nightmares.

Who Needs an Advocate?

Children, seniors and those who don’t feel like they have a voice to change an issue, problem or environment. Individuals that are downtrodden or have a feeling of hopelessness need those that will represent them.

Power In Advocacy

Advocacy helps to create power in those that have been advocated for.  They now know that there are indeed others that care about them.  The perseverance shown helps them to share in the power advocacy creates.

This helps them to advocate for others that may be in their situation.  The experience equips them with skills that can be used to make a difference in communities and organizations.

Noted Advocates

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.-Led the Civil Rights Movement.

Emma Gonzalez- Gun Control Advocate, student survivor of the Marjory Stoneman Douglass High School shooting in 2018.

Frederick Douglass- Leader of the Abolitionist Movement to abolish slavery.

Elie Wisel- Holocaust Survivor who campaigned for victims of oppression around the world.

Norma Venable- Founder of Girls and Boys of Character. 

How Does Advocacy Start?

Advocacy starts with a care and concern for another.  Girls and Boys of Character began with care and concern for girls and extended the program for boys.

Perhaps you may not be called or moved to start a program, not everyone is.  But you can support the efforts of those that have.

Girls and Boys of Character invite you to make donations to our organization.  Checks can be mailed to Girls and Boys of Character, 222 S. County St., Waukegan, IL 60085, in C/O Norma Venable.

Picture credit- Jack Dudzinski @unsplash.com

Picture credit- Priscillia Du Preeze @unsplash.com