RIZE Youth Arts Organization and Berks4Peace are proud to host the annual PA4Peace Youth Advocacy Day, a youth-led civic engagement initiative bringing young leaders from across Pennsylvania to the Pennsylvania State Capitol on Monday, May 4, 2026, for a day of advocacy, legislative engagement, and civic education.
PA4Peace Youth Advocacy Day is designed to empower young people to use their voices, experiences, and leadership to influence policy and drive meaningful change within their communities. Throughout the day, youth delegates will engage directly with elected officials, participate in legislative sessions, and present youth-led resolutions on issues impacting their generation, including mental health, youth wellness, violence prevention, educational equity, and civic empowerment.
Hosted by RIZE Youth Arts Organization as part of its broader PA4Peace Campaign, this initiative reflects a statewide commitment to violence prevention, youth empowerment, and healing-centered community engagement through advocacy, arts, and civic leadership.
“This experience is about showing young people that their voices matter and that they have a seat at the table in shaping the policies and systems that impact their future,” said Edna Garcia-Dipini, Founder and CEO of RIZE Youth Arts Organization. “PA4Peace Youth Advocacy Day provides youth with the opportunity to move beyond conversation and into action—learning firsthand how advocacy can create real change.”
The event is made possible through collaboration with a coalition of community and civic partners including PA Youth Vote, Berks Youth Voter Initiative, Reading School District, Boys & Girls Club of America, Voice Up, Youth250, Choices Youth Group, and 4 Circles Beyond, all committed to fostering youth voice, civic participation, and leadership development.
RIZE also proudly acknowledges the support and partnership of Senator Judy Schwank, State Representative Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, State Representative Manny Guzman, State Representative Andre Carroll, and State Representative Carol Kazeem, whose continued advocacy and leadership help elevate youth civic engagement across the Commonwealth.
PA4Peace Youth Advocacy Day serves as a cornerstone initiative of RIZE’s mission to unite culturally diverse communities by strengthening families and advancing social change through transformative arts programming and policy-driven initiatives.