by Jessica - teen at heart

O.k. Keep your mind out of the gutter. Lol. I am talking about the powerful work D250 did to inform youth about the right to vote and the encouragement one mom gave her daughter to go and vote. (continued below)

I am hear to say it worked, for as I was standing in line getting ready to vote, behind me was a young girl carrying all the necessary forms and looking a tad nervous.

I started a conversation with her by saying, “Is this your first time?” and the biggest smile came across her face as she answered, “Yes, this is all new to me.” We exchanged names and then I asked her who encouraged her to vote. She replied, “My mom” with a quick giggle. Way to go mom.

I told her if she needed any help, I would hang around. Then it hit me, I was witnessing my first youth voter, the youth who has the power to make change and it couldn’t have come at a better time, since the lady behind the booth kept calling me African American, I corrected her once by saying, “No, I am African Canadian.” But after the third time, I turned my focus to the youth who was proudly filling out her ballots.

We left the building together and I asked her if I could share her experience with the youth readers and do an interview. With another big smile she said, “Gladly.” The burning question I wanted to know was how she felt to vote for the first time. Jillian replied, “It feels good to give your input, since I have lived here all my life, It’s important I have a say in our community. If you don’t vote, who will have a say in your future? By me voting, I have a say starting today.”