Advocacy Through Social Media: Extending Beyond Your Platform
Back in November 2021, millions of Instagram feeds were flooded with stories of pet pictures with the sticker “We’ll plant 1 tree for every pet picture” attached. With over 4 million posts, Plant A Tree advocated for the environment…
Unwrapping the Future: The Growth of Plastic Film Recycling
Everyone has been talking about how over the last twenty years, Amazon’s annual revenue has continued to grow each year, but has anyone stopped to consider what this means for plastic film consumption? Plastic film is heavily used in…
My Visit To The State House in Trenton
Behind the Scenes On Tuesday, April 2nd I had the opportunity to take a trip to the New Jersey State House with the Lesniak Institute. This opportunity presented itself thanks to the Lesniak Institute and Kean University. There was…
Lost Childhoods: Exposing the Triad of Illegal Immigration, Child exploitation, and Abuse
What About the Children? Within the global discourse surrounding illegal immigration and amidst the political debates lies a heartbreaking reality obscured from the view of most individuals. The devastating and harrowing reality of child trafficking and abuse. It is…
The Realities of The Homeless Crisis
Within our communities in the United States, there is a homeless epidemic that has been severely overlooked. Over 600,000 Americans in 2023 were considered homeless. That is a 12 percent increase from 2022. Furthermore, 50,000 individuals of that percentage…
WHO RUNS THE WORLD: Women Who Advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Less than a century ago women in the United States were deprived of equal opportunities and freedoms compared to men. In recognition of the pivotal strides women have made over these past few decades, we now celebrate and honor…
Safety Protocols in School Systems: Importance of Active Shooter Policies on College Campuses
BREAKING NEWS: NEW LAW PASSED ALLOWING POSSESSION OF GUNS ON COLLEGE GROUNDS! Imagine this becoming the new headline in a few years time. The horror! Unlike school systems with grades K-12, there are no public government databases that track…
Tiny Home Villages: A Rising Community to Reduce Homelessness in America
What are tiny home villages? Tiny homes are exactly what they sound like; small homes for people to live in. They’re adorable and we all secretly wish we could have one, I know I do! Villages are like your…
Period Poverty: The Injustice We Can No Longer Ignore
What is Period Poverty? Period poverty is a widespread and ignored public health crisis that continues to plague the lives of countless menstruating individuals. At its core, this complex crisis is rooted in gender inequality, deep stigma, socioeconomic disparities,…
10 ways to have a strong advocacy campaign
Advocacy plays an important role in supporting causes and promoting positive change in today’s society, involving mobilizing support, raising awareness, and encouraging decision-makers to address important issues. It empowers individuals and communities to have their voices heard and strive…
Influencing Legislation: How to Make Your Voice Heard!
Constituents have more of a say over what bills pass than they may think they do. Knowing this, it is helpful to understand what you can do to influence legislation. Historically, the more involved people are in the legislative…
Sustainability and Christmas: Tips For a Less Wasteful Holiday Season.
Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. Seeing distant relatives, exchanging presents, and the generally joyous atmosphere of the holiday season make this opinion fact for the many who celebrate it. It can also prove to be…
5 Reasons Why Community Policing is Effective
What is Community Policing? In an era where the relationship between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve is under intense scrutiny, the concept of community policing emerges as a beacon of hope and a transformative approach to…
5 Influential Women You Should Know: Shedding Light on Important Advocates in History
Intro: Women have shaped the history of the world through advocating for causes dear to them. In the trials of time, women have had the tendency to be overlooked or underestimated. In history, women have shaped the timeline for…
Combatting Plastic Waste in Back-to-School Shopping: Why You Should Care and How to Advocate for a Sustainable Future
As the school year starts back up again, there is often an influx of new products bought to replace the ones from years prior. The usage of plastic in our society can feel unavoidable. It is woven into our…
Workers are tired: The Strikes seen Across the Country
There have been several publicly known and documented strikes in the country as of late. There are strikes happening in all types of work including a writers strike, UPS strike, United Auto Workers Union (UAW) strike, Amazon drivers strike…
Unveiling the Danger: The Reality of Governor DeSantis’s Anti-Woke Bills
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has been in the news almost every day for years since he has begun signing “anti-woke” legislation. What does “woke” mean? The term “woke” originates from Black culture, the phrase “stay woke,” being used to…
Upholding Intellectual Freedom: The Fight Against Book Bans
What is the book ban? Many parents are calling for schools to remove certain books from curriculums and school libraries as the themes make them uncomfortable and don’t align with their own personal views. Books in the classroom are…
Saving our Children: Unveiling the Segregation of New Jersey Schools
“While NJ is the most diverse state…when it comes to schools it’s also the most segregated place.” This quote comes from Javier Robles, president of the Latino Action Network of New Jersey (LAN). LAN, in collaboration with other organizations…
There are 300 Ukrainian Orphans & 200 American Families that need your help
The Lesniak Institute joined Ukrainecare300 at the Summit on Solutions for Ukrainian Orphans with American Families. Ukrainecare300 is a coalition of parents, volunteers, and advocates whose mission is to engage lawmakers and the media, ultimately to create a discussion…
Federal Supreme Court vs. State Supreme Court
Delving deeper into the roles of the supreme courts at the federal and state level. Understandably there is a cloud of confusion surrounding the difference between the Federal Supreme Court and the State Supreme Court. You might find yourself…
From Bars to Better Lives: Why New Jersey Needs Comprehensive Reentry Support
5,300 inmates were released from New Jersey prisons in 2020 following the threat of the pandemic. 5,300 individuals are now out in the world needing homes and jobs while learning how to be productive members of society. These individuals…
5 Inventors You Should Know About: Touching Base on Black Success
Throughout history, black individuals often lose the credit and recognition that comes with their amazing work. These roadblocks they face determine whether they see success or failure, due to the discrimination African Americans faced in the United States. It…
Mastering the 5 Functions of Advocacy: Your Guide to Driving Social Change
Are you passionate about driving social change and ready to participate in policy advocacy? With the right approach, your passion can make a real impact. Advocacy plays a crucial role in driving change by influencing public opinion, policies, and…
Breaking Barriers: How Brown v. Board of Education Revolutionized America’s Pursuit of Equality
On this day in history in 1954, the United States Supreme Court issued a groundbreaking ruling in the case of Brown v. Board of Education. In a unanimous decision, the court declared that racial segregation in public schools was…
Exploring the NJ State House: A Journey Through History, Architecture, and Civic Engagement
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to visit the place where all important decisions are made? The New Jersey State House can seem intimidating at first, but once you’re there, you’ll find it’s not as intimidating as it…
Increasing the Black Women’s Voice Through Advocacy
Black women have such a powerful and graceful force. They have led many political and social movements while leading their community. Centuries later they still worked to abolish numerous difficulties Black women were facing in their communities. Equal and…
How Helping Animals Helps Us
Animal cruelty is a matter that is constantly over looked and pushed aside in our justice system today. Passing the Courtroom Animal Advocacy (CAAP)A1965/S2211 bill through the New Jersey legislature would not only help animals gain representation in the…
Lesniak Testifies to Amend Wrap-Around Community Schools Bill
Closing the Infant and Maternal Mortality deficit through policy advocacy The following was read into record in front of the Assembly Education Committee Hearing on September 22, 2022, regarding bill A1168, which Establishes a five-year community schools pilot program. Thank…
Labor day: The fight for a day off
In the late nineteenth century, labor activists took to the streets to make their contributions to America’s strength known. These activists wanted the day to be a federal holiday for a day of rest. The true meaning of Labor…