It’s Youth Advocacy Month 2023!
“No one organization can single-handedly solve the complex social issues we face today, it takes the collective effort of groups and communities working together towards a common goal”
Get ready to ignite your passion and make a difference! May is Youth Advocacy Month, and we're inviting you to join us in celebrating the incredible potential of Gen Z to shape a brighter future. With a series of inspiring events, partnerships, and social media campaigns, we're putting the spotlight on the power and importance of youth-driven initiatives.
Fireside Chats: Throughout the month, we will be hosting a series of intimate, virtual Fireside Chats featuring prominent youth activists, educators, and change-makers. These engaging conversations will provide a unique opportunity for young people to learn from experienced mentors, gain valuable insights, and be inspired to take action. Don't miss out on these incredible learning opportunities!
Webinars: Knowledge is power, and our webinars are designed to empower Gen Z with the information and tools they need to make a real difference. From understanding social justice issues to mastering the art of advocacy, our webinars will provide practical guidance and support for young people as they navigate today's rapidly changing world.
Youth Group Partnerships: We believe that collaboration is key to creating lasting change, and this month, we're excited to partner with several leading youth groups and organizations to amplify our collective impact. By working together, we can empower even more young people to become effective advocates and agents of change.
Social Media Campaigns: With the power of social media at our fingertips, we're ready to make some noise this May! We'll be launching a series of dynamic campaigns to amplify youth-driven initiatives, showcase the achievements of young advocates, and inspire others to join the movement. Keep an eye on our social media channels, and be sure to use the hashtag #YouthAdvocacyMonth to join the conversation!
Instagram: @odac_ny | TikTok: @odacny | Twitter: @odac_ny | Facebook: Organ Donation Awareness Corporation
Fireside Chats
Throughout May, we'll be hosting an array of virtual Fireside Chats with notable youth activists, educators, and change-makers. These dynamic conversations offer a rare chance for young individuals to learn from seasoned mentors, gain invaluable insights, and find inspiration to make a difference. Be sure not to miss these exceptional learning experiences!
The 3rd Street Band
In today's episode, we're thrilled to feature "The 3rd Street Band," a New York City-based ensemble comprised of Billy Miller, Justin Gerber, Dash Chase, Timothy Youngman, and Massimo Daul. Their music, reminiscent of a captivating novel, employs evocative imagery and imagination to guide listeners on a journey from beginning to end. Recorded exclusively on analog tape, The 3rd Street Band's sound fosters a nostalgic bond between the music and its audience. Each lyric and note is meticulously crafted to elicit emotion and spark creativity in their listeners. Despite their relatively short career, The 3rd Street Band has already graced the stages of iconic New York City venues such as The Bitter End and The Bowery Electric.
Listen to "The 3rd Street Band": https://open.spotify.com/artist/4J0ElhEIh5pLatrIIYDehD
For bookings and business inquiries, contact: billy.clayton163@gmail.com
Vinny Johl
ODAC is pleased to announce the second edition of our Fireside Chat series, featuring Vinny Johl! The exclusive interview will be available on our Spotify and YouTube channels May 13th and will be conducted by our Community Relations Director, Lasya Damaraju, and our Community Relations Fellow, Sumayah Oudda.
Vinny Johl is a dynamic and data-driven healthcare leader with a passion for building relationships, improving patient experiences, and implementing effective processes. She holds undergraduate degrees in Marketing/Management and a master's in business administration from the University of the Pacific. Vinny currently serves as a Health Care Ombudsman Mediator for Kaiser Permanente's North Valley Service Area.
Vinny is a two-time alumni of the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U), where she was a delegate in the fields of agriculture and sustainability in higher education. As a CGI U alumni, she has been selected to serve as a mentor to over 50 delegates each year for the past ten years, including our ODAC members.
Evan Roden
We are thrilled to announce that the third installment of the ODAC Fireside Chat series is on the horizon, featuring the exceptionally talented filmmaker and innovative thinker, Evan Roden. This exclusive interview will be available on our Spotify and YouTube channels from May 19th, hosted by our dedicated Public Relations Fellow, Aaron Goldberg.
Evan Roden, a native of Buffalo, NY, is a unique blend of artistic creativity and scientific curiosity. Currently a Medical Engineering student at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA, Evan has consistently demonstrated a knack for innovative problem-solving that fuses creativity with technological prowess.
In 2022, Evan delivered a compelling Ted Talk where he challenged the perception of youth as politically apathetic, arguing that young people are more likely to engage in political advocacy than older generations. As a Biomedical Engineering major, he brings a unique perspective on the intersection of science, politics, and youth identity, a testament to his multifaceted interests and passions.
Our previous guest, the dynamic healthcare leader Vinny Johl, left a significant impression, and we are confident that Evan, with his unique blend of artistic and scientific pursuits, will be equally inspiring. His passion for pushing boundaries, coupled with his keen interest in youth political participation, makes him an ideal guest for our Fireside Chat series.
Mark your calendars for May 19th and ensure you don't miss out on this stimulating and insightful conversation with Evan Roden. It promises to be a thought-provoking experience that will leave you both informed and inspired. Stay tuned!
Dr. Philippe Douyon
This week, we will be continuing our Fireside Chats series with the renowned Dr. Philippe Douyon. Dr. Douyon has made a name for himself as a leading neurologist and expert in brain health and cognitive function. He has dedicated his career to researching and promoting strategies for optimizing brain health and overall well - being.
We are truly fortunate to have Dr. Douyon join us at ODAC, bringing his wealth of knowledge and experience to our platform. His insights on brain health and wellness have resonated with diverse audiences, ranging from medical professionals and researchers to the general public.
The exclusive interview with Dr. Douyon will be available on our Spotify and YouTube channels May 29th and will be conducted by our wonderful Director of Communications Lasya Damaraju.
We can't wait to share this enlightening conversation with you! Stay tuned for an enriching exploration of brain health and well-being.
Ieesha Johnson
In this interview with ODAC, Ieesha Johnson, the Director of Community Outreach for Infinite Legacy, shares her experience and expertise as part of an Organ Procurement Organization (OPO). She remarks upon the mission of her grassroots initiative, The Decisions Project, and the importance of organ donation advocacy within diverse communities.
Webinars
Transplant Support Organization (TSO)
"Uniting Generations: Harnessing the Power of Intergenerational Collaboration to Solve the Organ Donation Crisis" is a webinar that aims to shed light on the potential of intergenerational collaboration in addressing the organ donation crisis.
In our age-diverse but often age-segregated society, the unique strengths, experiences, and perspectives of both older and younger generations can be instrumental in not only raising awareness but also in establishing a more resilient and efficient organ donation system.
Older generations can provide invaluable wisdom, insights, and networks to humanize the issue, dispel prevalent myths, and drive advocacy for organ donation. Conversely, younger generations can infuse fresh ideas, technological know-how, and a strong motivation for social change. Their adeptness with digital and social media platforms can foster innovative campaigns to amplify the importance of organ donation. Furthermore, their commitment to social justice and inclusivity can help ensure that organ donation systems are equitable, reaching all communities, not just those with privilege and access.
By unifying these generations, we can bridge the understanding and access gap in organ donation. At ODAC, we firmly believe that by capitalizing on the collective wisdom of older generations and the innovative spirit of younger ones, we can co-create a future where the organ donation crisis is a thing of the past. Such intergenerational collaboration can pave the way for superior education, robust policies, and inventive solutions to augment organ donations, thereby potentially saving countless lives.
Resilience Redefined: Thriving After a Transplant
Join us for an empowering webinar, where ODAC will explore the personal and inspiring journeys of individuals who have not only survived but thrived following transplant procedures. With insightful discussions, expert guidance, and inspirational stories, we'll delve into the realities and possibilities of life after transplantation. Hear from transplant recipients, medical professionals, and support networks on how they've successfully navigated post-transplant life. This webinar is a must-attend for transplant recipients, their loved ones, healthcare providers, or anyone seeking to understand the resilience of the human spirit. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights, draw strength and hope, and redefine what 'normal' truly means in the face of life-changing procedures. Sign up today!
A big thank you to our guest speakers: Terez DePasquale, Nelson Freytes, and Karishma Mistry
Nelson Freytes received a liver transplant in 1998 due to fulminant liver failure caused by thyroid medication. A few years after his transplant, Nelson set out to build a world-class online social destination for the transplant community with Transplant Cafe in 2007, and Transplant News in 2019.
Dr. Karishma Mistry is a liver transplant recipient and an incoming PGY-1 internal medicine resident. She has been a young voice in the organ donation community starting at the age of 18 and feels blessed everyday to have received an organ donor that gave her a second chance at life. She continues to share her story throughout the medical field and other organizations in hopes of making a positive impact for those still in need.
Meet Terez Despasquale. A multi-passionate Mom of 4, Wife, Author, Advocate, and heart-led Real Estate Agent. Her journey began as a stay-at-home mom who unexpectedly transformed into a fierce Advocate when her husband fell critically ill with Covid-19. For over 10 months, she spent every moment fighting to keep her husband alive with only a 1% chance of survival, becoming the sole provider for her children, and wondering if they would make it through the storm. Through it all, with no one to turn to, Terez knew that her story needed to be shared to help others, and she is doing just that in her upcoming book "Advocate."
Tabling
Washington Square Park
Tabling is setting up a table at a high traffic event to spread awareness of a cause, ours being organ donation. During youth advocacy month, tabling additionally allowed us to engage with the community and discuss what issues they advocate for. We received a range of responses from ending the war in Ukraine to protecting biodiversity
Social Media Campaigns
Gen Z Outdoor Voices
This month, ODAC team members have been reaching out and interviewing young people in parks, campuses, common areas and more. We ask people for their names, ages, and what issues they care to advocate for. Thank you to everyone who participated so far, we admire your passion and determination to be a youth advocate. It’s not to late to share your voice. Share what you advocate for with #YouthAdvocacyMonth and tag us if you’d like!
Instagram: @odac_ny | TikTok: @odacny | Twitter: @odac_ny
Facebook: Organ Donation Awareness Corporation
Youth Group Partnerships
Charlie O'Brien
ODAC is thrilled to welcome a special guest in this week's episode, Charlie O’Brien, the newest edition to YAM 2023's Youth Partnership initiative.
Charlie (@chazly1 on Instagram) has recently graduated from McGill University and has already begun leaving his mark as a determined young entrepreneur. Our discussion delves deep into his creative ventures: a unique clothing line, called "Cautontape" and a captivating collectible card game, "The Visionary War." Join us as we journey through Charlie's trials, tribulations, and triumphs straight out of university. From early inspirations to the finer details of his designs, this is an opportunity to gain insights into the entrepreneurial spirit of youth today. If you're curious about Charlie's professional journey, please check out his LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlie-obrien01/.
