Illinois Youth Policy Council

Illinois Youth Policy Council

The Illinois Youth Policy Council develops and implements grassroots strategies to gain community and legislative support for responsible sexual health education in Illinois. Stay up to date on the council by visiting Amplify, where IYPC members blog about sexual and reproductive health and social justice.

IYPC members organize, lobby, and advocate for policy reform by creating and facilitating peer-to-peer networks, trainings, and actions. Recent community events organized by youth activists and adult allies include:

• Sexual Health Youth Forum, Peoria
• How 2 Get Down Training, Springfield
• Youth Lobby Day, Springfield
• Let’s Talk About Sex Teach-In, Chicago South Side
  
• Youth and Sex Block Party, Maywood

Council 2010-2011

Juan Chavez
Hi, I'm Juan and I am studying Journalism and Digital Cinema at DePaul University. I have been working in Reproductive Justice as a part of ICAH for the last one and a half years. I started my work because I felt that there were a lot of things wrong with the way that sexual education is taught and thought of in public school systems. For most of the last few years, I have been a part of the LGBTQ community and I feel that I, as a gay child of an immigrant family, can see what can be fixed and changed.

Kayla Craig
My name is Kayla C. Craig, I’m 15 years old. I’m the oldest out of three children and I have a younger brother and sister. I live on the south side of Chicago in the South Shore neighborhood, and I’m a sophomore at Gary Comer College Prep. I seem shy, but once you get to know me I’m a lot of fun. I enjoy shopping, hanging out with my friends, and I love to make changes. I am also involved in Sisters Empowering Sisters (SES). I am really looking forward to developing my skills as a youth leader and advocate.

Antonio Diaz
My name is Antonio Francisco Diaz. I’m a seventeen year old boy who grew up on the south side of Chicago, where I attended John Spry Middle School and Madero Middle. I then moved to Berwyn, Illinois, when I was thirteen and attended Lincoln Middle. I attend J.S. Morton West High School as a junior now. I’m involved in Student Council at my school; we work to create activities for the whole school to enjoy, students and teachers alike. I work at Garden Weddings as a busboy.

Olivia French
Hi, my name is Olivia French. I am a sophomore at Joliet Central High School in Joliet, IL. I am very involved in my school. I am in lots of clubs including, CASA, TATU, Drama Club, Group Interpretation, Friends of Rachel, ICAH, and a few more. I first heard about IYPC through ICAH. I became interested because I think that having the PREP Act passed will help not only teens but our communities understand the importance of comprehensive sex education. I know that my peers and I will work hard this year. I look forward to meeting them and everyone else involved.

Kendra Jones
My name is Kendra Jones. I'm from the Washington Park community and I attend Gary Comer College Prep, which is a charter school on 71 st and South Chicago. I'm a new member of ICAH (School of Justice and Illinois Youth Policy Council) and I've been enjoying every part of it. I believe in being an advocate for youth and their right to information. Being a part of IYPC shows me life through different perspectives: challenges people face, what people know and what they are limited to know. I'm hoping to continue gaining knowledge and being exposed to new things.

Larry McGhee
My name is Larry McGhee Jr. I’m from Maywood, Illinois, and I’ve lived here all of my life. I go to Walther Lutheran High School. I play sports such as basketball and football. I also like to swim, write poetry, and travel. I like making people laugh and helping them learn how to stay safe. I’m proud that I made the ICAH team, and I plan on learning and teaching as much as I can this year!

Jasmine Moore
My name is Jasmine Moore. I am a 15 year old sophomore student at Joliet Central High school. I am a current member of IYPC and ICAH. I play volleyball, cheerlead, and play soccer at Joliet Central. I currently have a 3.63 GPA. I have four honors classes. I am also a dedicated member of many clubs in school and out.

Eduardo Nunez
My name is Eduardo Nunez. I am a 17 year old male born in a town called Guadalajara, Mexico. I live with my younger brother and both my parents. I now live in a town called Lyons. Not to far from Cicero or Chicago. I am a junior at Morton West High School. I grew up wanting to make a difference anywhere I go. I have been involved with ICAH for about 3 years now. I love being with them because when I started, I just was a child who didn't know a lot. I don't help out because I want to be famous. I do this because I want to live in a strong and healthy community. I have met so many people from other states and countries while working at ICAH. I believe there will be a time when the youth decide on actions for us. Yes I am a youth, and yes I am a Hispanic male, but these things don’t block my dreams for living in a better community. I am thankful for the past 3 years because they have been the best years of my life. There's not a lot to say about me but all my actions and my enrollments say more than I could. So once again my name is Eduardo Nunez and I am a youth advocate.

Emily Swartz
My name is Emily Swartz, I’m originally from Chicago, but moved out to Vernon Hills a couple of years ago. I’m a junior at Vernon Hills High School, where I’m involved with Gay Straight Alliance. This is my second year with the IYPC and I’m very excited and happy to be a part of it. I’m a hardcore feminist who loves to learn anything and everything concerning the cause, and I love to educate others as well. Since I live in a smaller town, issues regarding gender equality, LGBT equality and sexual health are less known about, so it is super rewarding to educate my peers about their rights and what they can do to make our world more just.