Parent Leader Fahima and her son attended Child Advocacy Day at the Missouri State Capitol

Meet Fahima.

“I want him to advocate for himself when I’m not around. This experience made him feel seen and heard. I asked if he wanted to do it with me again next year and he said yes—I’m excited to be starting this journey with him.”

On April 7, PLTI-KC parent leader Fahima and her young son joined hundreds of advocates at the Missouri State Capitol for Child Advocacy Day. For Fahima, the decision to attend was deeply personal and rooted in her community’s needs.

“I live in Lee’s Summit, where it’s considered more of a higher-income area, but most families I’ve had the pleasure of meeting are struggling to keep up—with tax raises, unemployment, and little to no family support,” she shared. “Our children don’t even have the safety of being outside due to street safety concerns. Crosswalks need to be redone. Trash bins need to be enclosed. Drivers speed through without warning. I joined PLTI to learn how to navigate these issues, and Child Advocacy Day gave me a chance to represent my community.”

Fahima and her son had an incredible time. “We loved it,” she said. “Our favorite part was meeting our state representatives and senator. It was also great to see so many parents and child advocacy leaders. I’m wanting to join again next year.”

Though it was her first time advocating at the Capitol, Fahima felt ready. “I was nervous but prepared,” she said. “Once I spoke to one legislator, I felt comfortable talking to everyone. We weren’t pushed away—most leaders were eager to speak to me and my group.”

Bringing her son along was a deliberate and meaningful choice. “I try discussing issues with him in a child-like voice because I want him to advocate for himself when I’m not around. This experience made him feel seen and heard. I asked if he wanted to do it with me again next year and he said yes—I’m excited to be starting this journey with him.”

To other parents considering advocacy, Fahima offers this encouragement:

“Please show up. Your voice is the voice your child hears anytime they find themselves in a problem. It truly does start with us.”