Legislative Advocacy
“House Bill 1359 “
“Juvenile Law Matters”
One Life @ A Time, played a pivotal role in advocating for youth rights and influencing legislative change through their involvement in House Bill 1359, also known as "Juvenile Law Matters." Donielle, the founder of One Life @ A Time, was appointed as one the chairs of the advisor committee by Voices Corp’s, leadership team , she was tasked with collaborating with Indiana legislators over a nine-month period. The primary objective was to support youth throughout Indiana in sharing their lived experiences, particularly those related to detention in juvenile facilities, whether for short or long-term stays. (Kia Wells, Founder of Voices Corp., shown in photo above).
During this time, Donielle helped facilitate discussions and listened to the recommendations of the youth, providing them with a platform to voice their perspectives and concerns. As a result of her advocacy efforts, she was appointed as one of the spokespersons, representing the collective voice of the youth on the Youth Justice Oversight Committee.
Donielle's role as one of the the spokespersons was instrumental in presenting the youth's recommendations to Indiana legislators. Through her passionate advocacy and dedication, she effectively conveyed the importance of implementing policy changes that would address the needs and rights of youth involved in the juvenile justice system. Ultimately, the recommendations put forth were approved in House Bill 1359, marking a significant milestone in juvenile law reform. This achievement underscores Donielle's commitment to amplifying the voices of marginalized communities and driving meaningful change through legislative advocacy. Her efforts have undoubtedly contributed to improving the juvenile justice system and ensuring better outcomes for youth across Indiana.
https://www.in.gov/youthjustice/meetings/may-10,-2023-meeting/
For over a decade, VOICES has leveraged their expertise in juvenile justice, social work, and education to meet the needs of over 3,000 youth and families.
