The Newsletter of the Deeds Not Words Community

December 11, 2018 | Deeds Digest No. 128
Hello #Changemakers! 

Like me, you are probably anticipating time with family over the holidays.  My favorite time of year comes between Christmas and the New Year.  The presents have been bought, wrapped and unwrapped.  Meals have been planned, grocery shopping is complete and I have time to spend in the kitchen, making my girls' favorite traditional holiday meals.  It's a time when I can take a deep breath, step away from work-a-day obligations and relish the joy and love of being with my family.

Before we get to that, though, things are buzzing over here at Deeds' HQ.  Why?  Because the Texas legislative session is right around the corner and we are working hard to get our campus chapters around the state prepared for their involvement in making real-world change.  You, #Changemakers, will be leading the way in pushing for further sexual assault protections and responses, addressing menstrual equity and advocating solutions for the maternal health crisis in our state.  You'll also be educating lawmakers on the need for better mental health guidance and care in our public schools.  And you'll work to make sure that obstacles to voting are removed, so that your voices can be heard come election time.

Interested in playing a bigger role in making that happen?  We're hiring Campus Organizers who will be paid a stipend each semester to organize and lead our 17 campus chapters.  We'll give you the training and support you need to assure that #Changemakers on your campus will have the tools and resources needed to be impactful, whether that's on an issue at the state, federal or local level.

See below in our Deeds News section to find out how you can apply.  Yes, it's almost the holiday season, #Changemakers. But take a minute before you enjoy time with family to find out how you can be a part of making real change as we head into the new year!

Much love,
-wendy
 
Hello from the University of Texas Deeds Campus Organizer!

I'm so excited to jump-start the Texas Legislative Session as the Deeds at UT-Austin Campus Organizer. We are preparing to get young people involved with advocacy and activism, and helping them to navigate the legislative process to make change happen.  From Team Deeds, we've learned how to bring students into policy-making conversations that directly impact them.  We're building collaborative relationships with #Changemakers, student groups, faculty and administrators on our campus, and we can't wait to see what other Deeds' campuses will do!  We are actively leading advocacy trainings on issues important to our generation and coordinating events, special initiatives, and campaigns surrounding issues that matter to us.  We'll also be running voter education/registration drives on our campus. There's so much to do, but we've got the energy to take it on.  We are so looking forward to all that we will accomplish together!
 

Want to become a Deeds Campus Organizer? Apply today at: http://bit.ly/DeedsCampusOrganizer

Let's ORGANIZE, MOBILIZE, AND ENERGIZE!

With Love,
Tatum Zeko

Deeds Campus Organizer
University of Texas 
Yesterday, the Supreme Court rejected hearing a case on a state's ability to defund Planned Parenthood by blocking Medicaid funding, leaving in place a lower court's decision that said they cannot.

Given the new makeup of the Supreme Court, victories on reproductive health care decisions will likely be few and far between. That's why this news feels like it merits a little extra celebration. đŸŽ‰

Here's more of what's inspiring us...
We've been talking about the new Title IX regulations a lot lately, but with good reason.

With the public comment period open until January 28 (you can take action here), we want to make sure that some of the most damaging parts of these new regulations are exposed. Not only will the dismantling of Title IX lead to fewer survivors coming forward, it will also put survivors of sexual assault on trial.

Here's more of what has us fired up ...

The holidays are here! As you’re shopping for presents for your loved ones or bingeing on peppermint mochas, please remember those who have been split apart from their families because of the toxic and false rhetoric surrounding migration.

The Office of Texas State Senator JosĂ© RodrĂ­guez (El Paso) has decided to take a stand against family separation in a non-traditional way: having a soccer ball donation drive. More than 2,300 immigrant minors are being held in modern-day concentration camps otherwise known as “tent-city” in Tornillo ( a census-designated place) in El Paso County. Why soccer balls? While we celebrate the holidays hugging our loved ones, it’s heartbreaking to think that care workers inside these fabric lined walls are not allowed to hug, console, or even talk to these minors in an endearing way. The only thing they are allowed is three hours of recreational time each day for a game of soccer. As Senator Rodriguez put it, “It's not healthy for the kids, not healthy for our community, it's not healthy for our Nation to be sending a message that this is how we deal with children in this country. Even if they're immigrants, it's not right." Although soccer balls do not equal justice, they can help make sure that love, joy, and good intentions reach a young person who needs it the most this holiday season.

The last day to donate is this Thursday, December 13th. You can donate by visiting the link below: bit.ly/tornillogifts for the pre-approved wishlist.

This Week's #Changemaker:
Ke'Yonna Hall
Curriculum Development and Training Coordinator with #TeamDeeds.


Deeds Not Words: Tell us a little bit about yourself!

Ke'Yonna Hall: Hi friends! I’m Dallas native, Ke’Yonna Hall. A proud first generation high school and college graduate. I earned my dual B.A. in Sociology and B.S. in Criminal Justice from the University of North Texas (UNT) and am currently a Master of Social Work candidate at the University of Texas at Arlington. At 24 years old, I have made quite the career of service. As an undergraduate student, I served as a Congressional Intern in the U.S. House of Representatives and was quickly distinguished as a force for change, earning Congressional Recognition Awards for Outstanding Constituent Services and Tour Management. That experience was transformative for me; It was then that I decided to prioritize giving that same level of dedication to causes that promote access and opportunity for marginalized communities, such as her own. Thereafter, I became an advocate and organizer in my hometown, helping to create a nonprofit organization that seeks to bring systemic change For Oak Cliff and serving as the Grassroots Organizer of a reproductive justice organization. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my younger brother, Theron.

DNW: How are you currently working to make change in your community?

KH: Currently, my time is split between advocating for policy changes that will benefit the needs of residents in my hometown - Oak Cliff, serving as a Leadership ISD Fellow, a Moorland YMCA Youth Development Committee Member, and developing the curriculum for the Movement Mujeres fellowship program and our Deeds high school and college chapters - breaking down issues like racial justice, bail reform, economic justice, affordable housing, LGBTQ rights, gender equity, and reproductive justice in a way that youth and young adults are LIT (fueled) to then drive systemic change. Earlier this year, I served on the inaugural Community Advisory Board to the Chief of the Dallas Police Department, as a Peer Advisor for the Obama Foundation Community Leadership Training Day held in Dallas, delivered my first TEDx Talk, and have spoke on countless panels across the state offering my thoughts and insights on the need for root cause analysis of the issues we face. For my commitment to service, I have earned awards like the University Speaker Award at the University of North Texas and most recently have been deemed a ‘Community Server’ - a 2019 Dallas Weekly Millennial to Watch Awards Honoree.

DNW: How do you keep yourself focused, motivated, and energized?

KH: I like to say that I am motivated by the powerful desire to help others. I know that statement isn’t very telling of the steps I physically take to stay focused, motivated, or energized; but, it is what I mentally hold on to. Grappling with the reality that my livelihood and that of so many people connected to me, is situated at the intersection of ever-changing complex systems, often prescribes me double doses of feelings of “burnout” and discouragement.

To slightly paraphrase the beautifully transparent words of my dear friend Mercedes though, “I don’t let my feelings of discouragement or helplessness leave me critiquing from the bench and burying my head in my sheets each morning. Instead, my optimism and powerful desire to help others forces me to engage, energize, and work to build the world, state, city, and neighborHOOD I want to exist in.”

DNW: What advice would you give to someone who's looking to become more active, but doesn't know where to start?

KH: First, find an issue or cause you’re passionate about. Next, do a Google and Social Media search for organizations or people in your commUNITY who are already doing work on that issue. Then, show up for them by volunteering your time or applying for a position within their organization. Lastly, do a #Deed each day that showcase what commUNITY means to you and simultaneously brings awareness of the issue you’re passionate about.

If you're a person who values a concrete example, here’s one: I am passionate about ensuring youth in my #commUNITY have access to resources that they need so I actively do #Deeds that really center those needs. Last year, after recognizing the gap between many of their aspirations and their needs, I piloted the Secure The GRAD program; a financial preparedness program that offers one on one assistance to students soon-to-be transitioning out of high school and into college and the workforce. My mentees collectively earned over $70,000 in scholarships and are currently wrapping up their first semester as an undergraduate or serving as a City Year Americorps Member.
In 2017, our Deeds Not Words' trained student activists PASSED 7 pieces of legislation in the Texas Capitol to prevent sexual assault, protect survivors and end human trafficking. In 2018 our goal is to empower and reach even more students to enact real change in their communities, but we need your support!
 
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