LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Volunteer recruitment is one of the toughest tasks when it comes to running a tight political campaign. That’s why Calif. Assemblymember Mike Gipson was thrilled to meet and recruit Alicia Amerson, a political science graduate with well-honed interpersonal and leadership skills, coupled with global views. And, from June 3 through June 5, she will be a part of the Mike Gipson GOTV (Get Out the Vote) Campaign. She’s recruited others to help too.
When the two met at a recent fundraiser for Gipson’s campaign, there was an instant connection. Amerson was impressed with Gipson’s political ideas and exceptional organizational skills and knew that they shared similar ideals. Gipson was impressed by Amerson’s travels abroad to Spain and Italy as an English instructor in addition to her enthusiasm for youth rights.
Gipson’s and Amerson’s passion for change are well aligned. Years ago, Amerson’s mother started a non-profit focused on teen advocacy, so when Amerson learned of a bill – Assembly Bill 1067, a bill that builds on California’s Foster Youth Bill of Rights Law to expand foster youth rights – she was intrigued.
“I had a friend who was part of the foster care system, so I know first-hand about the challenges foster youth face when they don’t know their rights,” Amerson says.
Gipson’s campaign needs a committee in place to draft proposals to the state legislature to reinvigorate the law; to review federal and state laws to identify the rights of children in foster care; to recommend necessary updates to the ‘Foster Youth Bill of Rights,’; to review how youth are informed of their rights; and to recommend changes.
Anna Johnson, a policy advocate at the National Center for Youth Law, is hopeful that the working committee will come up with recommendations that will increase law accountability and proper information dissemination.
“Fewer than three percent of foster kids earn college degrees and teens in foster care are less likely to finish high school,” Gipson says. ‘We hope expansion of this legislation will provide clearer guidelines for foster youth that result in more positive outcomes.”
Gipson is thrilled to have Amerson on his volunteer team and is confident that her passion for helping youth will bring energy to his campaign.
Amerson is currently working in Gipson’s district as the Associate Director of Facilities at California State University Dominguez Hills.
About Assemblymember Mike Gipson:
Mike Gipson was first elected to the California State Assembly in November 2014. He represents the 64th Assembly District that includes the communities of Carson, Compton, Gardena, Harbor Gateway, Lynwood, North Long Beach, Rancho Dominguez, South Los Angeles, Torrance, Watts/Willowbrook and Wilmington.
In various capacities, Assemblymember Gipson has been serving the people of the 64th District his entire life. As a peace officer, legislative staff, elected official, and labor organizer, Gipson’s dedication to the residents of the South Bay is a testament to his heart and enthusiasm for helping others. He lives in Carson with his wife, LeCresha and they have three sons, D’ANcee, Devon and Jordan. Learn more: http://asmdc.org/members/a64/.
Follow Alicia on Twitter at: @aliciaamerson1 https://twitter.com/aliciaamerson1
– Photo Caption: Assemblymember Mike Gipson and campaign volunteer, Alicia Amerson.
News Source: Alicia Amerson
