CONTINUING
THE FIGHT
FOR INTERSECTIONAL CLIMATE
JUSTICE
OUR
STORY
We are Kansas Youth for Climate Justice, a youth-led movement in Kansas.
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Our organization began in August of 2019 as a chapter of the national US Youth Climate Strike organization. After USYCS dissolved, we have become an autonomous organization fighting for intersectional climate justice with youth from all over Kansas.
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With 8 directors and 16 organizers in the state, we hope to bring a better future for coming generations and reform for a more just and fair environment.
RESOURCES
We have compiled a list of resources regarding policies in Kansas and other movements on our Linktree
Meet the KSYCJ Directors
Marissa Rapp
(she/her)
Finance and Logistics
Co-Director
Marissa is a high school student in the Andover Area. She recently joined the director's team as the Logistics Co-Director. If you have any questions about our finances or anything that is logistics-related, you can reach out to her!
Lauren Zoller
(she/her)
Creative Co-Director
Lauren is a college student studying in Kansas City as a collegel. She has worked on many of our designs, graphics, and has lead our creative team with Divya during our rebranding. If you have any questions about the creative aspect of our org, contact Lauren!
Divya Padamati
(she/her)
Creative Co-Driector
Divya is an Asian-American college student in Wichita, KS where she will be a college freshman. She, along with Lauren, have worked with our creative team to make our recent rebranding possible. If you have questions about our org's creative aspect, you can also contact Divya!
Katrina Pham (she/her)
Finance and Logistics Co-Director
Katrina is an Asian-American college student in Wichita, KS and is the director of our Logistics Team. She will be a college freshman this fall and is excited to attend a local university. If you have any questions about the logistics of our organization, you can send them over to her!
Jonathan Balderas (he/him)
Founder
Jonathan is a Latino college student attending Yale, though originally from Wichita, KS. He has been very passionate about climate justice once he learned about how the climate crisis impacted his family in Mexico. He began this organization in August of 2019. If you have any questions about the organization as a whole, contact him!
Alondra Aguilera
(she/her)
Communications Co-Director
Alondra is a Latina first generation college student who was born and raised in Wichita, KS. She, along with Fernanda, leads our Communications Team. If you have any questions regarding our social platforms or website, you can always ask Alondra!
Jarod Hudson
(he/him)
Policy Director
Jarod is a high school student in Wichita, KS. Jarod is very passionate about politics, both local and national. If you have any questions about our platform or our stance on policies, you can contact Jarod!
Anjali Singh (she/her)
Outreach Director
Anjali is an Asian-American high school student in Wichita, KS. She is a very skilled debater at her high school and helps out with our research. She leads our Outreach Team, creating new bonds with other orgs. If have questions that pertain to our Outreach team, contact Anjali!
Fernanda Huitrón
(she/her)
Communications Co-Director
Fernanda is a Latina college student in Lawrence, KS and who's originally from Wichita. Fernanda is well-versed on how to manage social media. She is also a very outspoken individual. She, with Alondra, leads the Communications Team. If you have questions about our org's communications, you can also ask Fernanda!
KANSAS POLICIES AND ISSUES
ABORTION RIGHTS ARE IN JEOPARDY IN KANSAS
On Friday, January 22, 2021, the Kansas State House of Representatives passed HCR 5003, A.K.A , the "Value Them Both" bill.
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It is an anti-abortion bill that would remove the right to abortion from the Kansas State Constitution.
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If it is passed in the State Senate, the people of Kansas will be forced to vote on the measure in a public referendum in August 2022. It is expected to pass due to low turnout for primary elections.
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This cannot be vetoed by Gov. Laura Kelly and will pave the way for state legislators to pass any restrictions they wish regarding abortion in Kansas (in the event that Roe v. Wade be overturned by the US Supreme Court).
TRANS STUDENTS ARE UNDER ATTACK
On Wednesday, March 17, 2021, The Kansas State Senate passed SB208 (also known as the "Fairness in Women's Sports Act").
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This bill would ban trans girls from competing on women's sports teams, using invasive "genital checks" at schools to determine the biological sexes of students.
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This bill has been received by and introduced to the State House where a vote is expected to take place this week.
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If passed in the House, the bill will likely be veted by Governor Laura Kelly, but we can prevent that from happening now.
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You can contact your State Representatives and urge them to vote NO on SB208 and help spread the word.
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To find your State Representatives and/or your House District, click the button below.
Christina Haswood
In July of 2020, we endorsed Christina Haswood, a Democrat running for the District 10 Kansas State House of Representatives Seat. She is an indigenous woman of color who wants to bring medical expertise to the state capitol in a time of the current pandemic. If elected, Christina would be one of the first few Native American women in the state capitol. We believe that many of her progressive stances will lead to a better future for the state of Kansas.
Derek Milligan
In October of 2020, we endorsed Derek Milligan for the District 94 Kansas State House of Representatives Seat. As a working-class Democrat, Derek wants to uplift our working-class communities here in the state of Kansas. Coming from his home state of Oklahoma, Derek understands the issues that fracking and the fossil fuel industry have on our planet. We believe that, if elected, Derek will help transition our state into a more sustainable Kansas.