- An Alliance For Community Action
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- info@WesternColoradoAlliance.org
Meet our 2021 West Slope Youth Vote interns!
If we’ve had a chance to chat in person, you’re probably aware of just how special the West Slope Youth Vote program is to me. I’m kind of a bragger, but with good reason! This is a program I have the privilege of supporting, but the leaders are numerous talented and passionate high school students from around Western Colorado. This year we are proud and excited to recognize Carlee Allen and Liliana Flanigan as our 2021 West Slope Youth Vote summer interns!
Every year, our Alliance hires young people to lead the student program of our grassroots democracy efforts. This year, we’re very pleased to have these roles filled by two hard-working young women who are no strangers to our West Slope Youth Vote program. These two are a powerhouse of a team, and despite being veterans to the work, this year they are bringing a slightly different flavor to the goals of the program. Over the summer, Carlee and Lili are working harder than ever to identify our next group of interns to run the program year round. Interns, who can use this program to propel their voices into the local, state, and national conversations that are so desperately in need of student and youth perspectives. It’s going to be an exciting summer, and we’re thrilled to have Lili and Carlee lead the way.
Carlee Allen is a writer and community organizer. Social justice, mutual aid, and mental health are a few of her passions for which she advocates. She recently graduated high school and plans to attend Whitman College to major in Writing and Public Discourse, as well as Studio Art. Following her college journey, she hopes to continue her activism through pursuing journalism and creating art.
Liliana Flanigan is a community organizer based in Grand Junction, Colorado. Her work has encompassed many large issue areas, and is focused on bridging the gap of activism between rural and urban areas. A current student at New York University, she plans to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Politics. She hopes to follow her college years with a long career of public service, and have a constant impact on her community. She is passionate about the environment, outdoor recreation, and equity among all communities.
Carlee and Lili have actually been on the job for a few weeks already, but we wanted to make sure to introduce them. They have already made a huge difference as we prepare our upcoming annual Western Youth Issues Report, and we are thankful to have their passion and commitment. As with all of our work, we succeed when our members are involved, and this program is no different. If you know a student who might benefit from our West Slope Youth Vote program, please contact our interns by email at lili@westerncoloradoalliance.org or carlee@westerncoloradoalliance.org. And if you support our grassroots democracy programs like West Slope Youth Vote, please consider making a donation now!
Jeriel joined the Western Colorado Alliance staff in February 2017 (back when we were still Western Colorado Congress), but you may remember her as our Canvass Director for the successful Minimum Wage ballot initiative in 2016! In her young career, Jeriel has worked with engaged citizens across Colorado on issues ranging from veterans' affairs, healthcare and women’s rights. Jeriel has called Grand Junction and the Western Slope home for 16 years, and enjoys running, hiking, biking and crafting with her daughter Emma.