OUR MISSION:

WWAD aims to engage youth in basic needs, social welfare, and broader economic justice advocacy. We will empower young people to share their own experiences to stand up for justice and minimize the barriers there are for marginalized youth to be engaged in legislative change. We envision a future where everyone has access to basic needs and economic stability, therefore being able fulfill their goals and aspirations to the fullest.

Fiona Lu

From Orange County, CA
Student at University of California Los Angeles

Esther Lau

From Fremont, CA
Student at Barnard College of Columbia University

In late 2022, our founders, Esther Lau and Fiona Lu, wrote and proposed Senate Bill 260, the Menstrual Equity Act of 2023, into the California Legislature that would expand CalWORKs benefits to cover the purchasing of menstrual products. Since the bill was introduced, SB 260 has garnered the support of over 60 organizations, 12 co-authors in the Legislature, and the endorsement of the California Legislative Women’s Caucus and Senate Democrats Budget Priority Package. If passed, SB 260 will serve over 360,000 CalWORKs cases.In advocating for SB 260, Fiona and Esther noticed the gap in young people involved in organizing for economic justice legislation. Our proposal is to create WWAD as an extension of SB 260 to involve more youth in similar work to pioneer justice for low-income communities.