You're right about the need to organize locally, but I don't think it applies in this context, given local movements can realistically impact state and federal politics at a slow pace at the best of times (which is usually ok--they're local organizations, after all).
It's frustrating to find a lack of mechanisms to affect URGENT change to the federal government without the benefit of time, legal consistency, privacy, powerful allies, money and resources, (I could go on for ages).
Poverty. When you lack secure housing/food/safety, you can't focus as easily at school.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs