Independent Perspective #1608

Guest:  Bianca Logan

Topic:  Youth peer advocate virtual open house

Duration:  05:47

Published:  August 4, 2020

Host:  Welcome to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of Western New York Independent Living (WNYIL). Our guest today is Bianca Logan, Youth Peer Advocate Coordinator with WNYIL, and your host is yours truly, Ernie Churchwell. Welcome to the program, Bianca.

Guest:  Thank you, I’m excited to be here.

Host:  And we're glad to have you. You’re here because you have a nifty event coming up in the very near future and like many things these days, it has been recast as something virtual. And that is the Youth Peer Advocate Virtual Open House. However, I think a lot of people listening might have a question, such as, why is it important for youths with disabilities to have their own entity to speak to and for them. Could you address what purpose it serves?

Guest:  So oftentimes young people don’t really feel like they have a voice, especially young people with disabilities. Often times people speak for them, instead of just asking them what they need. This is something that within the behavioral health world has been proven to be extremely successful, to get young people engaged within their treatment and services. If they find that when young people are empowered to speak up and advocate for themselves, they're more successful with following through with their treatment, as well as following through with independence and finding what they want for their future. Because when it's driven by young people, young people are more likely to engage and really just having a sense of belonging, is part of the developmental assets. And having key people within their lives that believe in them and are empowering them to let them know that somebody has their back. And who better to do that than young people that are acting in a role of a youth peer advocate.

Host:  Well, that's a nice encapsulation. Because I know you have a lot to say about it perhaps, we can get on to the specific details of the Youth Virtual Open House.

Guest:  Yes, so this open house, I'm really excited for. We're going to have some guest speakers, it's taking place, Thursday, August 6 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. This opportunity is open to everyone. So, youth, young adults, adults, care givers, providers. Anybody can attend and learn about what WNYIL is offering through the new Youth Advocacy program. We're going to have prizes, we're going to have some guest speakers from the Youth Leadership movement, some local, some sate wide. We're really excited. You’re also going to have the opportunity to ask some questions about topics that matter to young people, and I'm super excited, it's a really great opportunity to learn about what we're doing here.

Host:  Do people need to pre-register if they're going to participate?

Guest:  No, that’s the cool part about this event; there is no registration necessary. You can connect via our Facebook page, there's a link on there. You can also contact me at 716-836-0822 extension 540 and I can provide the link via phone. You can also email us at youth@wnyl.org that’s youth@wnyil.org  and I can send you the link virtually. The link that we have is a little bit long so try to go through that Facebook page or contact me and I can share that with you. I can text it if necessary. And it brings you directly to the event which is super cool because you don't have to register or nothing, its free to come and go as you please. We hope you stay for the entirety, but we're super excited for anyone to join us.

Host:  And when you talk about your Facebook page being in the 21st century, the link on there is one of those QR or quick response code squares. So if people can scan, they can just print that out, and it'll take them right to it when they scan it right.

Guest:  Yes, so our flyers have a QR code so you can just use your cell phone, scan that QR code with your cell phone and it automatically will generate the prompt to open the meeting. It's super cool, super easy.

Host: In case people didn't have a pencil if you could remind them once more what the phone number is to call to get more information.

Guest:  You can call me at 716-836-0822 extension 540.

Host:  Thanks so much for being with us, Bianca.

Guest:  Thank you for having me Ernie I appreciate it so much.

Host:  You've been listening to Independent Perspective, a Public Affairs presentation of WNYIL. Our guest today was Bianca Logan, Youth Peer Advocate Coordinator with WNYIL, and your host was yours truly, Ernie Churchwell.