YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE THE POWER TO INFLUENCE POLITICS -- THAT'S WHERE WE COME IN.

Virginia21 works to impact the future of the Commonwealth by empowering young Virginian's with the skills and opportunities to promote policy related to college affordability, student rights, election access, campus safety, and economic opportunity. 

 

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Virginia21 Content...

 Issues and Updates Blog

Featured
Your Voice Counts-- The Numbers prove it
Your Voice Counts-- The Numbers prove it

How do we know your vote matters in Virginia? Our Elections are ALWAYS close.

What’s the difference between a voter and a nonvoter? A voter’s voice counts more.

The midterm elections are less than a month away, and, like every election, the stakes are high. Despite some positive efforts, a lot of issues plaguing our nation seem stuck. This problem may be the result of low voter turnout…

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Virginia's Student Debt Crisis: What Is It, How We Got Here, and What’s Next?
Virginia's Student Debt Crisis: What Is It, How We Got Here, and What’s Next?

Student debt is currently one of the major focal points in the larger conversation about the cost of college. To make college more accessible, students and their families have relied on loans to help finance their educations leading to what is now being described as the “student debt crisis”. At $1.5 trillion, student loan debt is now the second-largest source of consumer debt, behind home mortgages, surpassing credit card debt in the United States. The average bachelor’s degree graduate at one of Virginia’s four-year public institutions will walk away with approximately $30,000 in student loans. As startling as these number are, they do not tell the whole story of student loans or the student debt crisis.

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2018 College Tuition and Fees-- A Breakdown
2018 College Tuition and Fees-- A Breakdown

Higher education is considered both a public and a private good and its cost is shared between the state, students, and their families, however there has been a consistent shift in funding, and students and families are now responsible for a larger portion of the cost.

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Meet (The New) Emily! VA21'S Summer Development Intern.
Meet (The New) Emily! VA21'S Summer Development Intern.

Meet Emily Williams, Virginia21’s newest intern!

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What Virginia's Biennial Budget Means for Millennials
What Virginia's Biennial Budget Means for Millennials

Virginia has passed a state budget after a long few months. Our Policy Director, Gerica Goodman, writes about what this budget means for Virginia’s young people.

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Become Empowered. 3 Ways the Summer Leadership Institute will Make You an Effective Advocate.
Become Empowered. 3 Ways the Summer Leadership Institute will Make You an Effective Advocate.

are you a current college student who wants to build political power for your generation? Do you want to learn how to affect and craft policy, lobby elected officials, organize your campus, and design a strategic communications plan? If the answer is yes, then here are four ways Virginia21’s Summer Leadership Institute (SLI) will empower you.

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VA21 In The News

Featured
House Republicans introduce bill to ease costs of college savings plans
House Republicans introduce bill to ease costs of college savings plans

From the Daily Press—
A bill introduced Wednesday would limit the extra dollars Virginians must pay to fund prepaid college savings plans — an attempt by two House Republicans to make college slightly more affordable... Gerica Goodman, policy director for Virginia21, welcomed the bill.

Students push for on-campus voting precincts at CNU, William and Mary
Students push for on-campus voting precincts at CNU, William and Mary

From the Daily Press..

A great profile on the work of two Virginia21 student leaders to enhance democracy on their campus.

“Godsoe and Parada are the presidents of their respective student chapters of Virginia21, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group that aims to get more students and young professionals to the polls and involved with policymaking decisions. “

Millennial infusion: Virginia's statehouse takes a slightly younger turn
Millennial infusion: Virginia's statehouse takes a slightly younger turn

From The Roanoke Times: "Our whole lives we’ve been told 'you’re the future,' and now we’re seeing this wave of young folks getting directly involved because they’re tired of waiting their turn to make an impact and they’re tired of others speaking on their behalf," Cywinski said. "I think and I hope that this wave signals to all millennials that the future is now."

Millennials make up one-third of eligible voters in Virginia ahead of statewide elections
Millennials make up one-third of eligible voters in Virginia ahead of statewide elections

Will Millennials make a difference in the Gubernatorial election? Our Director of Engagement argues they will in this article from the Commonwealth Times.  

Richmond Times Dispatch- Jared Calfee: Listen to the millennials
Richmond Times Dispatch- Jared Calfee: Listen to the millennials

The 2017 Gubernatorial election is quickly approaching. Unfortunately, the issues of young people have been noticeably missing from the political debate this year. Our Executive Director, Jared Calfee writes to the Richmond Times-Dispatch on why Millennials should be heard in this and every election cycle.

ABC 8 News: Virginia21 writes letters to the ‘future governor’
ABC 8 News: Virginia21 writes letters to the ‘future governor’

Our new policy director was invited to talk about #The30Percent and the power of millennials in this election on ABC 8! Watch the full interview here!

Virginia21 works to empower millennials on issues young voters care about
Virginia21 works to empower millennials on issues young voters care about

This article was published by RVA Magazine on March 7th, 2017. Enjoy