Youth Rights

The ACLU of Kentucky youth program empowers young people to engage and advocate for the civil rights and liberties enumerated in our Commonwealth of Kentucky and United States Constitutions. The ACLU does this through programing and supporting the Marshall Brennan Program, which is part of the Law and Government Magnet at Central High School located in West Louisville, Kentucky.

In the spring of 2013 the ACLU of Kentucky was proud to establish the Carl L. Wedekind Fellowship. The program allows one high school senior from the Marshall Brennan Program to receive a stipend in exchange for working part-time with the affiliate. The Fellowship is given in honor of Carl L. Wedekind who served in numerous leadership roles during his tenure at the ACLU of Kentucky including Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, Finance Committee Chair and National Board Representative.

Our Fellow is responsible for managing the affiliate’s youth work, including the development of programs related to the implementation of our mission, and the coordination of the annual youth rights conference. The ACLU of Kentucky works with the Muhammad Ali Center to host the Annual Youth Rights Conference each spring. The conference is a one-day, youth-led series of workshops centered on social justice and activism.

ACLU Human Rights Program: Children’s Rights

The national ACLU Human Rights Program (HRP) uses human rights standards and strategies to complement existing ACLU legal and legislative advocacy and to advance social justice in the area of children’s rights.?HRP works to promote and protect the rights of children, with particular attention to juvenile justice, equal access to quality education (including the prohibition of corporal punishment)

Constitution Day

Did you know every September 17th is Constitution Day? Constitution Day is a day dedicated by Congress to recognize the adoption of the United States Constitution in 1787. In 2004, Congress passed a law requiring all publicly funded schools observe the day by teaching a curriculum on the U.S. Constitution. The ACLU launched a youth-oriented website to provide students and teachers with a fun and interactive resource for Constitution Day.

Kentucky Youth Assembly

The Kentucky Youth Assembly (KYA) is a three-day experiential learning conference in which students participate directly in a simulation of the Commonwealth’s democratic process. ACLU of Kentucky Program Director Kate Miller hosts the KYA team from Central High School.

Muhammad Ali Center

Guided by Muhammad Ali’s six core principles, the Muhammad Ali Center features an interactive museum, educational programming, and special events to inspire young adults and adults to pursue greatness in their own lives, communities and countries. The ACLU of Kentucky partners with the Muhammad Ali Center to host the Annual Youth Rights Conference each spring.