Soto, Future Forum Leaders Host Virtual Town Hall with Polk State College Students

KISSIMMEE, FL – Today, Future Forum Chairman Darren Soto (FL-09) hosted a town hall with Polk State College students to discuss COVID-19 relief for young Americans and their overall needs during this pandemic. He was joined by Future Forum members, Reps. Eric Swalwell (CA-15) and Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), and Roosevelt Holmes of the Biden campaign.

"We're looking to hear from young people about what you're going through right now with COVID, and to let you know what the Congress is doing," said Chairman Soto during the town hall. "That two-way street of hearing from you, of your concerns, as well as educating you on the opportunities that you may or may not be aware of for both relief and helping you with your education."

The town hall was the first in a series of Future Forum listening sessions that aim to give youth a voice in Congress. The conversation centered around student loan relief, rental assistance for young people and their families, President Biden's American Rescue Plan, and COVID-19 vaccinations for youth, among other things.

Mr. Holmes also encouraged attendees to, "… figure out what your passion is. What is that one thing that you can wake up and do for the rest of your life for free if you had the opportunity to do so and it not feel like work?"

Since its founding in 2015, Future Forum has visited more than 50 cities and met with thousands of young people. Members have used feedback collected from these listening sessions to introduce legislation and lead letters on issues such as gun violence, student loan debt and entrepreneurship.

A full video of the town hall can be found here.