LOS ANGELES, Calif., June 1, 2016 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) \u2013- Volunteer recruitment is one of the toughest tasks when it comes to running a tight political campaign. That\u2019s why Assemblymember Mike Gipson was thrilled to meet and recruit Alicia Amerson, a political science graduate with well-honed interpersonal and leadership skills, coupled with global views. And, from June 3 through June 5, she will be a part of the Mike Gipson GOTV (Get Out the Vote) Campaign. She\u2019s recruited others to help too.<\/p>\n
![\"Mike](\"https:\/\/www.send2press.com\/wire\/images\/16-0601-Alicia-Amerson-600x450.jpg\")
\nWhen the two met at a recent fundraiser for Gipson\u2019s campaign, there was an instant connection. Amerson was impressed with Gipson\u2019s political ideas and exceptional organizational skills and knew that they shared similar ideals. Gipson was impressed by Amerson\u2019s travels abroad to Spain and Italy as an English instructor in addition to her enthusiasm for youth rights.<\/p>\n
Gipson\u2019s and Amerson\u2019s passion for change are well aligned. Years ago, Amerson\u2019s mother started a non-profit focused on teen advocacy, so when Amerson learned of a bill \u2013 Assembly Bill 1067, a bill that builds on California\u2019s Foster Youth Bill of Rights Law to expand foster youth rights \u2013 she was intrigued.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had a friend who was part of the foster care system, so I know first-hand about the challenges foster youth face when they don\u2019t know their rights,\u201d Amerson says.<\/p>\n
Gipson\u2019s campaign needs a committee in place to draft proposals to the state legislature to reinvigorate the law; to review federal and state laws to identify the rights of children in foster care; to recommend necessary updates to the \u2018Foster Youth Bill of Rights,\u2019; to review how youth are informed of their rights; and to recommend changes.<\/p>\n
Anna Johnson, a policy advocate at the National Center for Youth Law, is hopeful that the working committee will come up with recommendations that will increase law accountability and proper information dissemination.<\/p>\n
\u201cFewer than three percent of foster kids earn college degrees and teens in foster care are less likely to finish high school,\u201d Gipson says. \u2018We hope expansion of this legislation will provide clearer guidelines for foster youth that result in more positive outcomes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gipson is thrilled to have Amerson on his volunteer team and is confident that her passion for helping youth will bring energy to his campaign.<\/p>\n
Amerson is currently working in Gipson\u2019s district as the Associate Director of Facilities at California State University Dominguez Hills.<\/p>\n
About Assemblymember Mike Gipson:<\/strong> In various capacities, Assemblymember Gipson has been serving the people of the 64th District his entire life. As a peace officer, legislative staff, elected official, and labor organizer, Gipson\u2019s dedication to the residents of the South Bay is a testament to his heart and enthusiasm for helping others. He lives in Carson with his wife, LeCresha and they have three sons, D\u2019ANcee, Devon and Jordan. Learn more: http:\/\/asmdc.org\/members\/a64\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nMike Gipson was first elected to the California State Assembly in November 2014. He represents the 64th Assembly District that includes the communities of Carson, Compton, Gardena, Harbor Gateway, Lynwood, North Long Beach, Rancho Dominguez, South Los Angeles, Torrance, Watts\/Willowbrook and Wilmington.<\/p>\n