Young moms are building the skills, confidence, and connections to turn their lived experiences into advocacy—and their voices into action.

New Mom 2027 Advocacy Council

What happens when young moms who have experienced New Moms’ programs come together to learn how change happens? They find their voices, build advocacy skills, and begin shaping the policies that affect their families and communities. That’s the purpose of the New Moms Advocacy Council, a group of current and former participants, staff, and board members working together to advance economic mobility, housing stability, and family well-being for young moms.

Recently, council members met with Illinois State Senator Lakesia Collins for an honest and inspiring conversation about advocacy, leadership, lived experience, and creating change.

Learning from a Leader Who Knows the Power of a Story

Senator Collins’ own journey made the conversation especially meaningful. A Chicago native, mother of three, former nursing home worker, and labor advocate, Collins entered public office after years of organizing and advocating for working families. She served in the Illinois House before joining the State Senate, where she continues to focus on issues including youth in care, affordable housing, mental health, and support for working families.

During the meeting, council members heard how Collins’ lived experiences shaped her approach to public service—and how those experiences continue to inform the issues she fights for today.

For members of the Advocacy Council, the conversation was also an opportunity to see themselves in a new role: not simply as people affected by policies, but as people who can help shape them.

What Does Advocacy Actually Look Like?

The meeting wasn’t just about listening. Council members asked questions, shared ideas, and practiced the skills they need to advocate effectively.

Collins encouraged the group to be authentic, to know what they want to accomplish, to build relationships with elected officials, and to connect their advocacy to their own experiences.

One of her key messages was simple: tell your story.

Lived experience can help policymakers understand why an issue matters—not just as an abstract policy question, but as something that affects real families and communities.

That lesson came to life as council members raised ideas and questions about issues they care deeply about, including mental health, maternal and family well-being, access to essential resources, and economic opportunity.

Turning Conversation Into Action

The council’s work doesn’t end when the meeting does.

As the group continues to develop its advocacy skills, members are learning to identify issues, understand the policy landscape, communicate their experiences, engage elected officials, and ultimately advocate for change.

The goal is to move from “this is a problem” to “this is what we want to change—and here’s how we can work together to make it happen.”

As New Moms continues to strengthen its policy and advocacy work, the Advocacy Council is an important part of that effort. The council gives young moms a space to bring their expertise, perspectives, and ideas to conversations about the policies that shape their lives.

And perhaps most importantly, it creates a space where young moms can see themselves as leaders.

Because advocacy isn’t something that happens to a community, it happens when people with lived experience have the opportunity, support, and confidence to speak up—and when decision-makers are willing to listen.

The Advocacy Council is building that power, one conversation at a time.

Check out some of the conversation here.