Obama Elected with Youth Vote

I just returned from Washington DC, where the national capitol was still all atwitter over the inauguration of President Obama.   There was a feeling of hope still floating in the air.  I was in DC attending the National Network for Youth Symposium which always meets in late January because youth serving agencies don’t have a lot of money and hotel rates are cheap in the dead of winter here.   However, this time late January was a perfect time to be in DC.  Our national organization, which represents most of the runaway and homeless youth shelters in the country,was able to secure David Plouffe, Campaign Manager for Barack Obama, as a keynote speaker.  His speech to us was fascinating.  He reaffirmed the importance of young people, including high school students and younger on the election of Barack Obama as President.   Over and over again he spoke to how youth were energized to get involved and make a difference in their communities.  He also spoke to the commitment of the President to keep this hope alive by keeping youth engaged.   Yes!  Youth can make a difference!

I was glad that his speech to us was late in the Symposium because it left me with the renewed hope that America really does appreciate its young people.