“If no one says anything, nothing changes.” State Sen. Audrey Gibson shared that message with more than two dozen teens, college students and Jacksonville Kids Coalition members at a meeting during the annual Rally in Tally advocacy trip during Florida Children’s Week.

The annual trip allows agencies from Northeast Florida to represent the interests of Jacksonville’s children during the Children’s Capitol for a Day – Rally in Tally. The opportunity allows attendees to present a united front and serve as a voice for those who cannot vote.

Eight teens from the 4Me Teen Health Project, students from Chamberlain College of Nursing and Jacksonville University, along with staff from the Healthy Start Coalition, First Coast YMCA, Children’s Home Society and more toured the capital and visited with legislators.

The teens, students and staff had the opportunity to tell legislators about their projects and ask questions about topics like starting a youth council and how legislators make a difference.