Clockwise, from bottom, are Kim Kelly, Kristen Ayala, Amber Humphrey and Erin Nelson. By Jonel Aleccia It s safe to say the workings of the Oregon Legislature have never loomed large in Kristen Ayala s life. But today, Ayala s world will intersect with the world of state government as she and three fellow students travel to Salem, where they ll lobby lawmakers to preserve funding for the program they say changed their lives. I would like the higher people to know what we re going through.
Backers contend that early intervention is key to avoiding more costly services later.
But Arnie Green, executive director of Community Works, the Medford agency that runs the youth shelter, has been critical of the plan, which he says abandons adolescents in favor of babies. To bolster his argument, Green invited Ayala and three other teens Amber Humphrey, Kim Kelly and Erin Nelson to describe their experiences for legislators. To the teens, the governor s plan makes little practical sense. Services offered by Lithia Springs drug and alcohol counseling, vocational programs, a safe, supervised environment have changed their lives, the teens said. But the chance to have their voices heard will be worth it.