605. 2025 Social Impact Trends That Matter: Advocacy is Non-Negotiable (Sixto Cancel)
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Overview
Meet Sixto, the Founder of Think of Us and a nationally recognized leader. 🤝 He’s driving systems change in child welfare using tech, research, and policy to transform outcomes for youth and families. 🫂
In this episode, Sixto breaks down why advocacy is essential for creating lasting change. He explains that vulnerable communities need advocates who bring lived experiences to the table, using data and stories to drive decisions. Advocacy isn’t just about making noise—it’s about harnessing these experiences to influence policymakers and push for real, systemic transformation. 🗣️
Sixto talks about how Think of Us connects young people with foster care experience directly to lawmakers to help influence their decisions.đź’™
Join us for this episode today. 🎧
đź’ˇLearn:
How Think of Us' work intersects with advocacy, including co-designing with those directly impacted.
Misconceptions around advocacy that typically keep organizations from getting started.
How Think of Us collected data from 27,000 young people to advocate for policy changes during the pandemic.
How advocacy is not just an option but a necessity for impact organizations today.
Today’s Guest
Sixto Cancel, Founder of Think of Us.
“Doubt becomes a limiting factor. To empower change agents and leaders in advocacy, we must address the power dynamics between the board and those leading on the ground.”
Episode Transcript
Download Full Episode Transcript Here
Episode Highlights
Understanding the Necessity of Advocacy (5:29)
Misconceptions About Advocacy (12:28)
Empowering Youth Through Advocacy (26:36)
Confronting Social Issues in Education (20:39)
Research and Lived Experience (33:34)
The Power of Storytelling in Advocacy (36:46)
“Keep your advocacy simple. It’s not about the number of people; it’s about being strategic. A smaller, capable team can be more agile and responsive, while a larger team may be slower to act.”- Sixto Cancel’s One Good Thing(30:17)
Powerful Quotes
"Advocacy isn't optional—it's a lifeline for countless vulnerable children and young people." - Sixto Cancel
"Doubt becomes a limiting factor. To empower change agents and leaders in advocacy, we must address the power dynamics between the board and those leading on the ground.” - Sixto Cancel
"Advocacy takes many forms—don’t get stuck on tradition. Leverage your strengths, whether in marketing, communication, or data, to contribute to the broader movement." - Sixto Cancel
"Every action—or inaction—has consequences. Right now, funders are looking to see which leaders will step up at different levels." - Sixto Cancel
"If you're struggling, that's your answer—it's a call to lean in." - Sixto Cancel
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