Civic Engagement A Resource Guide 1

Civic Engagement

A Resource Guide

Civic Engagement A Resource Guide

PART I: Introduction

I.I

I.II he for Civic

I.III Definitions

I.IV Civic Engagement

PART II: Resources for Youth

II.I Building Civic

II.II Supporting Knowledge,Attitudes,

II.III

II.IV

PART III: Resources for Adults, Intergenerational Families, & Seniors

III.I

III.II

III.III

PART IV: Appendix

IV.I

Part I Introduction

Civic Engagement Resource Guide Youth

I.I

Using this Resource Guide

So you’re ready to bring civic engagement into your programming? We can help! This Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) Civic Engagement Resource Guide is designed to take the legwork out of civic engagement planning. Looking for a great video? See what The Museum of the City of New York offers! Need some games for the youngest of participants? Check out iCivics! Want to learn what projects are possible in your community? Poke around the Center for Urban Pedagogy for some inspiration! This guide has material for program participants ages 5 to 105.

Goal of this guide. Support CBO providers and DYCD staff in their understanding and implementation of the Framework for Civic Engagement

Intended audience for this guide. Program directors and site staff at DYCD-funded programs; not intended for distribution directly to program participants

Intended use for this guide.

• Establish a common lens and language for civic engagement

• Broaden understanding and clarify misconceptions of civic engagement principles

• Provide examples of accessible civic engagement practices

• Introduce categorized and relevant resources for youth and adults in New York City and beyond

Choose your own civic engagement adventure. This guide should not be thought of as a “how-to” manual but, rather, a set of resources to help you implement civic engagement. You should approach it, not as a sit-down read, but as a pick-upwhen-you-need-it handbook. Whether it’s lesson plans, community action initiatives, or research statistics, this guide will help you implement an intentional civic engagement program that fits within your organization.

PART I I.III Key Definitions13 15 I.IV Civic Engagement in New York City I.I Using this Resource Guide04 07 I.II Introduction to the Framework for Civic Engagement

Civic Engagement Resource Guide | NYC Department of Youth & Community Development

NAVIGATION TIPS

An Introduction to Civic Engagement

If you’re wondering what exactly civic engagement is, you’ll want to start here.

• You will learn about the journey to and value of including civic engagement practices in your program and its connection to other DYCD frameworks you already use.

• You will develop a consistent vocabulary to use with staff and stakeholders to define civic engagement, and discover the spectrum of ways you can bring civic engagement to your community--from storytelling to participatory budgeting and advisory boards.

New York City offers thousands of unique ways to get involved in one’s community and local politics. This section will introduce you to just a few initiatives and organizations to get you started.

Resources for Youth

Jump to this section to find websites and toolkits to build civic knowledge and skills, promote civic action, and learn the evidence behind incorporating civic engagement practices into your youth programming.

• Organized by theme and age, each listing provides you with a link, suggested grade band, topics covered, and a summary of the organization and what it can offer your CBO or program site. You’ll also find coded resources directing you to websites that provide educational tools, online supports, videos, games, and action initiatives.

• This list is only the beginning of your civic engagement journey. It is far from all that’s out there, but we hope it will give you a place to begin!

Some highlights in the YOUTH RESOURCES section include:

• Facing History and Ourselves. Incredible resources for starting and facilitating meaningful conversations around challenging topics

• NYCDOE Civics for All. Detailed curricula at all grade levels; great links and suggested reading across all aspects of civic engagement

Some highlights in the INTERGENERATIONAL RESOURCES section include:

• New York Historical Society. A unique New York-centric perspective; the city’s first museum offers educational resources and virtual museum tours

• Resistance School. Easy, quick mini-webinars for all levels of activism experience on how to get involved in advocacy work

Resources for Adults, Intergenerational Families, & Seniors

Adults of all ages benefit from getting involved in their communities at the local, regional, and national levels.

• You’ll find resources separated into “Knowledge” and “Action” to help you best serve the needs of your adult participants.

• Many of the resources included act as models for your organization to develop your own mentorship or volunteer programs that serve your neighborhood.

• This list is just the beginning of what resources are available, but we’re excited to give you a starting point!

Appendix

Don’t discount the appendix as an after-thought in this resource guide.

Here you’ll find some useful cheat-sheets:

• Find the complete DYCD Framework for Civic Engagement.

• Reference our handy guide to NYC Government Organizations that encourage civic participation.

• Utilize our glossary to help establish a common vocabulary within your organization.

A NOTE FROM DYCD’S LEGAL DEPARTMENT

This guide offers some available civic engagement resources. You are not required to use any of these, and, before deciding to use any, you should consider how appropriate they are for your program, including the source of funding for your DYCD program. For example, CSBG-funded programs are prohibited from using funding to support, or result in, the identification of such programs with partisan political activity, voter registration efforts, and voter assistance efforts.

If you have questions whether a particular resource is appropriate for your program or whether your program receives CSBG funding, please check with your DYCD contract manager.

Civic Engagement Resource Guide | NYC Department of Youth & Community Development

Introduction to the Framework for Civic Engagement

The introduction to the Framework for Civic Engagement outlines three domains: Knowledge, Attitude, & Skills, Action, and Reflection, surrounded by the familiar overarching concept of Co-Creating Conditions for Civic Engagement. The complete framework can be found on pg 54 of the Appendix.

Civic engagement activities foster the knowledge, attitudes, and skills, that are necessary for youth and adults to become agents of change in their communities. DYCD defines civic engagement as “individual or collective action that seeks to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.”

Civic engagement requires a combination of civic education and civic action, including knowledge of democratic institutions and processes, motivation to make a difference, willingness to learn about needs in the community, and recognition of ways in which issues can be addressed.

By intentionally expanding leadership development practice, DYCD and providers can promote civic engagement across all program areas by (1) fostering civic knowledge, attitudes, and skills; (2) engaging in opportunities for civic action and reflection; and (3) cocreating conditions for civic engagement with participants through curriculum and instructional strategies, evaluation and feedback, and a supportive environment.

Civic engagement requires a combination of civic education and civic action, including knowledge of democratic institutions and processes, motivation to make a difference, willingness to learn about needs in the community, and recognition of ways in which issues can be addressed.

By intentionally expanding leadership development practice, DYCD and providers can promote civic engagement across all program areas by (1) fostering civic knowledge, attitudes, and skills; (2) engaging in opportunities for civic action and reflection; and (3) cocreating conditions for civic engagement with participants, through curriculum and instructional strategies, evaluation and feedback, and a supportive environment.

You cannot take your freedoms for granted. Just like generations who have come before you, you have to do your part to preserve and protect those freedoms... preparing yourself to add your voice to our national conversation. — Michelle Obama “

Civic Engagement Resource Guide | NYC Department of Youth & Community Development

ROADMAP TO THE FRAMEWORK FOR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

DYCD places a high priority on civic engagement and recognizes its importance for advancing equity and promoting a healthy democracy. Communities with inclusive civic engagement—where everyone has a place at the table to define, direct, and implement public services and amenities—

• Experience greater equity

• Display greater civic pride

• Exhibit stronger civic responsibility

DYCD’s Framework for Civic Engagement was developed using a consensus-building approach, weaving together emerging research, evidence from the field, and input from across the agency’s program areas, including community centers, youth workforce development, and runaway and homeless youth, afterschool, and Neighborhood Development Areas’ anti-poverty programs. This framework is part of the agency’s existing universal frameworks,1 designed to promote a strengths-based approach that offers DYCD staff and its providers a common language and lens to:

• Help youth, adults, and families acquire social and emotional competencies

• Foster protective factors that enable children, youth, and families to flourish

• Develop leadership skills

• Encourage active involvement in community

1. Existing DYCD Frameworks: Youth Leadership Development, Social-Emotional Core Competencies, Positive Youth Development, and Circles of Support

Convene to assess state of youth leadership

Research and gather feedback from units

Create approach and action plan

Get agency approval & buy-in

Align with agency’s theory of change

Invest in training, technical assistance & capacity building

Civic Engagement Resource Guide | NYC Department of Youth & Community Development

DYCD program staff convened to assess the state of youth leadership and implementation of the agency’s Promote the Positive Framework This convening generated a strong interest in fleshing out a common lens and language for civic engagement that resonated across all DYCD program areas and the diverse populations served through its networks of programs.

Key milestones of this work were:

• Recognizing that, while youth leadership and civic engagement are interconnected, the agency needed a framework that reflected its diverse portfolio of programs that serve youth, adults, families, and communities. Additionally, staff were interested in emphasizing the importance of building civic literacy and education.

• Consulting emerging research, gathering input from all DYCD program units, and drafting language that expressed fundamental attributes of civic knowledge, skills, attitudes, forms of civic action embedded in DYCD programs, and best practices for co-creating conditions and program environments that foster civically engaged participants.

• Continuing DYCD investment in training, capacity-building, and professional development opportunities to promote the framework and share best practices for strengthening civic engagement across all program areas.

Civic Engagement Resource Guide | NYC Department of Youth & Community Development

CONNECTIONS BETWEEN YOUTH LEADERSHIP,

SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SKILLS, & CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

In developing the Framework for Civic Engagement, connections to existing DYCD frameworks became clear. The Framework supports meaningful social and emotional competencies in young people and adults. Building global awareness and a sense of social responsibility (as outlined in the Framework for Civic Engagement’s “Knowledge, Attitude, & Skills” domain) reinforces key SEL competencies, such as social awareness and responsible decision-making.

SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL CORE COMPETENCIES

With language developed by CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning), the Social-Emotional Core Competencies Providing program participants with civic engagement opportunities fosters social and emotional competencies that promote educational development and lifelong wellbeing.

From the complete Framework for Civic Engagement, intentional civic engagement activities can help promote:

• Inner Self Characteristics: Participants are motivated, selfaware, and persistent.

• Communication: Participants are inspirational, confident, active listeners, effective communicators, and persuasive.

• Collaboration: Participants have a shared purpose and can convene, delegate, and organize people.

Additionally, a civic-minded curriculum that is emotionally and socially responsive to the participants challenges them not only to learn more about their own identities, but about how they learn about the world and others around them.

Social-Emotional Core Competencies

Framework for Civic Engagement

YOUTH LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

Similarly, the overlap between the Youth Leadership Framework and the Framework for Civic Engagement can’t be ignored. In fact, the Framework for Civic Engagement could easily be thought of as the next step in Youth Leadership-sort of, Youth Leadership PLUS!

Youth leadership and civic engagement are interconnected concepts that emphasize the importance of empowering youth as decision-makers and agents of change in their communities. According to DYCD’s frameworks, both can co-exist and are fundamental to positive youth development practices. The chart below highlights the elements that appear on both frameworks--making explicit the ways in which the YLD and CE Frameworks complement one another.

LEADERSHIP, ATTITUDES, & SKILLS

Inner Self Characteristics | motivation, selfawareness, and persistence

Communication | inspirational, confident, active listening, effective communication, and persuasive

Collaboration | shared purpose, convener, and delegation, and organization

LEARN-BY-DOING LEADERSHIP

Motivate | role model, motivate, inspire

Master | persist and learn from mistakes

Engage | civic leadership, servicelearning, youth councils, leader training

One key distinction is that civic engagement centers the importance of civic learning, education, and knowledge-building while youth leadership often refers to young people leading others or getting others to work together towards a common goal or vision.

Both frameworks are designed for the same audience, but, for some, the term “leadership” can be intimidating. The civic engagement framework presents inclusive language and a focus on collaboration that attracts a wide variety of young people. In this way, implementation of the Youth Leadership Framework can be enhanced by centering civic engagement, and the Framework for Civic Engagement, in turn, can be enhanced by centering youth leadership.

REFLECT ON ACTION

Continuous | ongoing reflection

Connected | to action and the world

Challenging | refine understanding and think critically

Contextualized | evaluate for appropriateness and meaning

Recognizes Accomplishments

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Authentic Opportunity | voice, choice, participation, varied leadership roles

Safe Environment | welcoming, inclusive, diverse, and physically, emotionally, and psychologically safe space

Ask-Listen-Encourage | positive, purposeful interactions

Community Building, Mentor Access, and Re-framing Conflict

Key Definitions

WHAT IS CIVIC ENGAGEMENT?

Civic engagement is the act of working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values, and motivation to make a difference. It goes beyond understanding the democratic process, getting out the vote, and, even charitable giving. Of course, those are important elements of civic engagement, but participants in your program don’t need money or loads of time to commit to being civically engaged. They need a commitment to promoting the quality of life in a community, through both political and nonpolitical processes.

Civic engagement is often confused with:

• Civics -- the study of the way in which a local government works and of the rights and duties of the people who live in the city

• Community Service -- action provided in a unidirectional, often times, expert model, in which resources are extended to serve community individuals, groups, organizations, and the public, in general

Civic engagement offers a more holistic approach to the community that includes service-learning, civic action and dialogue, outreach, activism, and volunteerism. Civic engagement is about more than government action. It is about community action. Unlike civics education and community service, civic engagement focuses deeply on the needs of the community and finding ways to fulfill those needs through knowledge and research, action, reflection, and co-creation of an environment to explore community.

Find more definitions in our Glossary.

Common terms included under the umbrella of CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Civic action

Civic dialogue

Civic education

Community activism

Community engagement

Community outreach

Community project

Public participation

Political participation

Service-learning

Service project

Social consciousness

Volunteerism

Civic Engagement Department Youth

CATEGORIES OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Civic engagement is a spectrum. There are a variety of ways one can be involved, starting with learning about the community and advancing to running for office. Civic engagement isn’t one thing for one type of person. This chart lets you see the myriad ways you can build civic engagement in a way that is exciting, comfortable, and accessible for you and your program participants.

KNOWLEDGE ACTION

Community Learning (research, storytelling, surveys)

Charitable Giving (donating resources or expertise)

Advocacy (actions that inform policy or legislation)

Volunteerism (physically serving the community)

Civic Learning (school-based civics classes, service- learning)

Community-Building (interpersonal engagement among neighbors)

Community Organizing (marches, rallies, or demonstrations)

Voting (participating in elections at local and national level)

Community Development (urban-planning, connection to place)

Leadership Development (trainings and leadership education)

Political Reform (initiatives that improve campaign finance, election process, etc.)

Participation in Local Decision-Making (civic dialogue, participatory budgeting)

Election Engagement (voter registration and studying political issues)

Civic Engagement Resource Guide | NYC Department of Youth & Community Development

Civic Engagement in New York City

New York City is rife with opportunities to get engaged at the local, regional, and national levels. Whether it’s an individual seeking out a way to contribute directly to their neighborhood or a group within your organization looking to have a larger impact, this map lays out some civic engagement opportunities right under your nose. Follow the underlined hyperlinks directly to the source, and find more information on these and more in the Resources for Youth and Adult sections, as well as in the Appendix of this guide.

Volunteer at a soup kitchen, museum, library, community center, school, etc.

Collect community information through surveys

Volunteer at the “Help-a-Garden Grow” event

Become a foster grandparent

Paint a mural in the community

Vote in local / national elections

Write a letter to a politician

Start a recycling program in the school or community center

Read up on current events

Run a food drive

Attend a community board meeting

Discuss politics with friends

Apply to be part of the neighborhood action board

Teach recycling as part the GrowNYC Program

Help a neighbor Take part in an “It’s My Park” clean-up event

Engage with politics on social media

Run for public office

Become a member of a community or religious group Vote in participatory budgeting

Visit a seniors’ home

Implement or seek out a school-based civics curriculum

Visit an NYC courthouse

Mentor a young person

Write a letter to the editor or an submit a guest essay for the newspaper

Devise an original piece of interview theatre with young people & members of the community

Civic Engagement of

Civic II Resources For Youth

PART II

If you work with young people, then you know the power of building civic-mindedness. These resources provide websites and toolkits to build civic knowledge and skills, promote civic action, and learn the evidence behind incorporating civic engagement practices into your youth programming. They all offer free access to materials and are suggested places to find more information on developing civic engagement programming. DYCD does not require your program to utilize any of the resources provided here. This list is only the beginning of civic engagement resources that are out there. It is far from all that exists, but we hope it will give you a place to start!

A NOTE ON ORGANIZATION

Youth resources are arranged in alignment with the domains of the Framework for Civic Engagement. Within each section, you will find that resources are broken down by topic or theme, and then in order of grade band from youngest to oldest.

Building Civic Literacy | In this segment, you will find a variety of resources, categorized by topic, that teach specific civics knowledge: History, Government, and Politics, Current Events, and Media Literacy.

Supporting Knowledge, Attitudes, Skills, & Self-Reflection |

This section focuses on the social-emotional components of civic engagement. These resources provide framing for the bigger picture, focusing more on communication skills, awareness of self, and social justice than civics content.

Promoting Civic Action | These resources are sorted by categories of civic engagement: Activism, Community Research, Volunteerism, and Youth Councils and provide you with tools to educate young people about ways to take civic action.

Spotlighting Research & Evidence from the Field |

This section features a variety of articles and research briefs that feature case studies, data, and anecdotal evidence of the impact of civic engagement with youth. You’ll find these resources organized by time commitment: 5, 10, or 15 minute reads.

Each listing provides you with the title of the organization, embedded with a link, suggested grade band, topics covered, and a summary of the organization and what it can offer your CBO or program site. You’ll also find coded resources directing you to sites that provide educational tools, online supports, videos, games, and action initiatives. Civic Literacy Knowledge, Skills,

RESOURCE KEY

Use this key to help you determine which resources are right for you and your staff II.I

Building Civic Literacy

According to the Framework for Civic Engagement, civic knowledge refers to civic literacy and “knowing about social movements, democratic processes, digital citizenship, and social responsibility.” Broken down into three sections (History, Government, and Politics, Current Events, and Media Literacy), these resources serve as a starting point to build knowledge and understanding of the civic issues impacting your community, New York City, the nation, and beyond. From curricula and lesson plans to games, activities, and online classes and tours, there are a range of material to help you introduce young people of all ages to civic concepts.

HISTORY, GOVERNMENT, AND POLITICS

Education Tools (lesson plans, toolkits + handouts)

Online Support (webinars + online classes)

Virtual Games + Activities Action Initiatives Videos

To access the resources, simply click the title of the resource to follow the hyperlink!

If you’re looking for traditional Civics 101 content, this is where you’ll find it!

THE ANNENBERG CLASSROOM

Topic: Government, History

Audience: Grades K-12

The Annenberg Classroom provides a multimedia Constitution curriculum to educators and the public. More than 60 videos that teach about constitutional concepts and landmark Supreme Court cases are available, including interactive games that engage young people while teaching them about the Bill of Rights and the branches of government.

NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER

Topic: Government, History

Audience: Grades K-12

The National Constitution Center provides lesson plans, activities, and other materials. From articles to an Interactive Constitution tool, educators can access a variety of tools to teach the history of America’s government.

VIDEO RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT from NYT Learning Center

• Peanut Butter, Jelly, and Racism: What is Implicit Bias?

• A Conversation with Police on Race

Civic Engagement Resource Guide NYC Department of Youth Community

COURT TOURS

Get a first-hand peek at the justice system at work!

The Court Tours program was developed to familiarize students, citizens, and civic organizations with the dynamics of the courts of New York State. On behalf of the Unified Court System, groups are invited for a unique glimpse to observe democracy in action by participating in a free tour at a New York City court. Presentations include a tour of the courthouse, a question and answer session, and a viewing of an actual court proceeding.

NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Topic: Government, History, Social Justice

Audience: Grades K-12

NYC’s first museum, the NYHS provides a unique look at NYC’s rich history. Its educational resources encourage cultural understanding and foster an empowered citizenry to strengthen our democracy. Through online lessons, virtual field trips, and free residency opportunities, organizations can explore NYC’s history of civic engagement.

NYCDOE CIVICS FOR ALL CURRICULUM

Topic: Civics, Current Events, Government, Politics

Audience: Grades K-12

Broken down by grade band, the NYCDOE provides sample curricula, NYC field-trip opportunities and resources, and handouts for activities for government instruction at every grade level, as well as resources for climate and social justice.

ZINN EDUCATION PROJECT

Topic: History, Social Justice

Audience: Grades K-12

The Zinn Education Project promotes and supports the teaching of people’s history in classrooms across the country. It has introduced students to a more accurate, complex, and engaging understanding of history than is found in traditional textbooks. The site includes a variety of teaching tools including songs, poetry, picture books, and historical primary sources, as well as a community of like-minded educators.

ICIVICS

Topic: Government, History, Politics, Social Justice

Audience: Grades 3-12

iCivics provides educators with well-written, and inventive civic education lesson plans, activities, and games that champion equitable, non-partisan civic education. They teach the material in the context of problems and issues that are relevant to young people.

Civic Engagement Resource Guide | NYC Department of Youth & Community Development

VIDEO RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT from PBS NewsHour

Not Backing Down: Gen Z Activists

Discuss How to Push for Change

CIVICS ACTION PROJECT (CAP)

Topic: Civics, Government, Politics

Audience: Grades 6-12

GENERATION CITIZEN (GC)

Topic: Government, Politics

Audience: Grades 8-12

CAP is a project-based learning program for civics and government. CAP provides a bundle of lessons to choose from, based on the needs of your youth programming. Webinars are available, as well as sample project models.

Generation Citizen works to ensure that every young person in the United States receives an effective action civics education, which provides them with the knowledge and skills necessary to participate in our democracy as active citizens. The website offers lesson plans for teachers, young people, families, and caregivers in Spanish and English.

CURRENT EVENTS

These resources will help you connect what’s going on today in the world with concepts of civic-mindedness.

MUSEUM OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK

Topic: Activism, History, Social Justice

Audience: Grades K-12

The Museum of the City of New York reflects the rich, diverse history of New York’s residents, politics, and challenges. Their education wing offers in-depth exploration of the museum’s collections and a wide array of online tools to guide learning.

THE NEW YORK TIMES LEARNING NETWORK

Topic: Current Events, Government, History

Audience: Grades 3-12

The NYT Learning Network has educational resources — from lesson plans and writing prompts to news quizzes, student contests, and more — all based on the articles, essays, photos, videos, and graphics published on The New York Times website.

C-SPAN CLASSROOM

Topic: Current Events, Government, Politics

Audience: Grades 6-12

C-SPAN Classroom is designed for social studies educators but accessible to anyone working to promote civic education. Educators can access C-SPAN’s library to use video clips and supplementary materials, such as lesson plans, handouts, and special offers.

Civic

PBS NEWSHOUR EXTRA

Topic: Current Events, Government, Politics

Audience: Grades 6-12

PBS NewsHour features news for young people and resources for educators. The website has lesson plans, instructional materials, videos, and articles on a variety of topics, including government, civics, and, of course, current events. Youth and educators also contribute to the site through an active blog.

VIRTUAL SITE TOURS

• National Constitution Center

• New York Historical Society

• Museum of the City of New York

MEDIA LITERACY

Find materials that focus on the first amendment, freedom of the press, and media bias here.

TEACHING FOR DEMOCRACY ALLIANCE

Topic: Government, Media Literacy

Audience: Grades K-12

Teaching for Democracy is a national alliance working to strengthen student learning about elections and informed voting. The alliance has a compilation of project-based lesson plans focused on voting and media literacy. The site also links to other organizations with similar missions.

NEWSEUMED

Topic: History, Media Literacy, Politics

Audience: Grades 3-12

NewseumED, provided by the Newseum, located in Washington D.C., is a digital learning resource for educators aimed to “strengthen civil society through first amendment and media literacy education.” TTheir elaborate educational resources include videos, lesson plans, activities, and items from their museum collections.

DEMOCRACY NOW!

Topic: Current Events, History, Media Literacy, Politics

Audience: Grades 6-12

Teach Democracy Now! aims to extend Democracy Now!’s unique media collaboration into classrooms all over the United States and the world, by providing critical thinking and news literacy resources. In addition to an array of videos, Teach Democracy Now! also offers curricula in Spanish and site tours (virtual and in-person) of their studios.

Civic Engagement Resource Guide | NYC Department of Youth & Community Development

Looking for a way to move learning outside your building without going outside? Check out these free virtual tours!

II.II

Supporting Knowledge, Attitudes, Skills, & Self-Reflection

RESOURCE KEY

Use this key to help you determine which resources are right for you and your staff

Education Tools (lesson plans, toolkits + handouts)

Online Support (webinars + online classes)

Virtual Games + Activities

Action Initiatives

Videos

In this section you will find a wide variety of tools to help promote and facilitate challenging conversations with young people of all ages around the social issues that matter to them. These websites provide an array of lesson plans and activities to develop civicmindedness and social-emotional skills through the lens of social justice and global awareness.

To access the resources, simply click the title of the resource to follow the hyperlink!

CENTER FOR URBAN PEDAGOGY

Topic: Politics, Social Justice

Audience: Grades K-12

The Center for Urban Pedagogy (CUP) is a nonprofit organization that uses the power of design and art to increase meaningful civic engagement. CUP collaborates with designers, educators, advocates, young people, and communities to make educational tools that demystify complex policy and planning issues. In addition to resources for the general public on their rights, their site provides examples of community projects and a rich listing of NYCbased organizations that engage in meaningful civic works.

LEARNING FOR JUSTICE (F.K.A. TEACHING TOLERANCE)

Topic: History, Social Justice

Audience: Grades K-12

Learning for Justice provides resources to educators—teachers, administrators, counselors and other practitioners—who work with children from kindergarten through high school. Their materials can be used to supplement curriculum, inform practices, and create civil and inclusive school communities where children are respected, valued, and welcomed participants.

SOUND OUT

Topic: Social Justice, Youth Leadership

Audience: Grades K-12

In addition to a variety of other materials available on this site, this list provides 50 concrete tips, strategies, and ideas to build and foster adult/youth relationships within your organization. Ranging from asking questions to setting up research projects and “Action Centers,” this site serves as a springboard for engaging young people civically.

OUR CHILDREN’S TRUST

Topic: Climate Justice, Social Justice

Audience: Grades 4-12

Our Children’s Trust is a non-profit public interest law firm that provides strategic, campaign-based legal services to youth from diverse backgrounds to secure their legal rights to a safe climate. The site provides teaching materials (labeled for high school, but easily adaptable for younger grades) for specific legal cases around climate justice, as well as a documentary series.

EARTH GUARDIANS

Topic: Climate Justice

Audience: Grades 3-12

Earth Guardians is an intergenerational organization that trains diverse youth to be effective leaders in the environmental, climate, and social justice movements across the globe - using art, music, storytelling, on the ground projects, civic engagement, and legal action to advance solutions to the critical issues we face as a global community. Their wide range of toolkits are written by young people for young people.

LAMBDA LITERARY LGBTQ WRITERS IN SCHOOLS

The LGBTQ Writers in Schools Program provides critically necessary, safe spaces for young people to talk about great books, queer life, and how to thrive as an LGBTQ person. The program provides access to award-winning books and authors across all grade levels, as well as professional development on how to deliver an LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum. You will find age-appropriate, inclusive books at every ability level.

Civic Engagement Resource Guide | NYC Department of Youth & Community Development

PROJECT EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDIES

Excited to get started but need some examples for inspiration? Check out these case studies and project examples to use as models!

• Civics Action Project (CAP)

• Center for Urban Pedagogy

• Co-Designing Schools Toolkit

CO-DESIGNING SCHOOLS TOOLKIT

Topic: Social Justice

Audience: Grades K-12

The Co-Designing Schools Toolkit helps build the capacity of school communities to set and pursue equity aspirations, so that every student is future-ready, no matter who they are, where they live, or how they learn. These resources can support your team or the young people you serve in developing the challenges, opportunities, and solutions in bettering their school communities.

DIGITAL CIVICS TOOLKIT

Topic: Government, Social Justice

Audience: Grades 6-12

The Digital Civics Toolkit is a collection of resources for educators to support youth in exploring, recognizing, and taking seriously the civic potentials of digital life. The toolkit explores a range of civic opportunities and dilemmas through five modules focused on: Exploring Community Issues, Investigation, Dialogue, Voice, and Action.

FACING HISTORY AND OURSELVES

Topic: Current Events, History, Social Justice

Audience: Grades 6-12

Facing History promotes historical understanding, critical thinking, and socialemotional learning. It fosters empathy and reflection, improves academic performance, reinvigorates educators, and builds safe and inclusive school communities. The resources on this site include in-depth discussion prompts, strategies, and protocols, and community-building routines and activities, as well as content-focused history lessons that explore a range of perspectives.

NATIONAL COALITION FOR DIALOGUE AND DELIBERATION

Topic: Politics, Social Justice

Audience: Grades 6-12

Dialogue and deliberation are innovative processes that help people come together across differences to tackle our most challenging problems. NCDD serves as a gathering place, resource center, news source, and facilitative leader for this vital community practice. The clearinghouse provides opportunities for networking with like-minded facilitators and connections to resources that encourage productive dialogue at all levels.

Civic

ADVOCATES FOR YOUTH

Topic: Social Justice

Audience: Grades 8-12

This toolkit is designed for youth activists that want to organize for change. It contains tips and tools gathered from youth activists working on issues such as reproductive justice, gun violence, climate change, racial inequity, conflict resolution, and so much more. The goal of the Youth Activist Toolkit is to walk through some basic steps an organizer can take to develop a strategy, build collective power, and use that power to create meaningful, lasting change.

EVERYDAY DEMOCRACY

Topic: Social Justice

Audience: Grades 8-12

Everyday Democracy provides discussion guides, how-to handbooks, trainings, coaching, and other resources to help create a more democratic and inclusive community. With a focus on community issues such as poverty, immigration, and education, among others, they offer an adaptable approach to community engagement, through the lens of racial equity.

FRAMEWORKS INSTITUTE

Topic: Social Justice

Audience: Grades 9-12

Frameworks combines the best of theory and practice by researching people’s deeply held worldviews and widely-held assumptions. They test strategies for activating more productive ways of thinking about social issues. Their findings are presented as articles and toolkits, organized by issue for easy reference.

UNITED WE DREAM

Topic: Immigration, Social Justice

Audience: Grades 9-12

United We Dream is the largest immigrant youth-led community in the country. They create welcoming spaces for young people – regardless of immigration status – to support, engage, and empower them to make their voices heard. United We Dream provides resources, such as toolkits, and offers concrete opportunities to get involved and take action.

THE NEW YORK CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION

Youth Activism

The NYCLU works with youth organizers across New York to ensure that young people know their rights, how to access those rights, and how to effectively organize in their schools and communities. Among their initiatives for young people are Teens Activist Project (TAP), Student Ambassadors, and more.

Education Policy Center

The Education Policy Center works to ensure public schools and institutions that serve young people in New York empower students, treat them fairly and equally, and create safe environments for them to learn and grow.

Civic Engagement Resource Guide | NYC Department of Youth & Community Development

TOOLKITS THAT PROMOTE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Looking for some hands-on, ready-made ways to get started? Try these toolkits with worksheets, videos, activities, discussion questions, and more.

• Helping Your Child Become a Responsible Citizen Audience: Grades K-5

This toolkit, released in line with No Child Left Behind, provides vocabulary and scenarios to help families navigate conversations around positive citizenship. The tips and activities provide concrete ways to engage young people in awareness of thoughts and actions beyond themselves.

• All Together Now: Collaboration and Innovation for Youth Engagement Audience: Grades K-12

This toolkit is a culmination of research done by CIRCLE that presents challenges and opportunities to be found in youth civic engagement. You’ll find recommendations, goals, and examples of best practices.

• Civic Engagement: An Essential Ingredient of Healthy Communities Audience: Grades K-12

This toolkit provides a concise definition and explanation of what civic engagement is and how it might look in a variety of contexts. From research across Canada, the toolkit provides links to a webinar series, publications, and other tools to provide support as you follow their examples.

• DYCD Promote the Positive Toolkit Audience: Grades K-12

This toolkit released by DYCD draws parallels among multiple frameworks including Social-Emotional Learning, Youth Leadership, and Positive Youth Development. In addition to breaking down the elements of these frameworks, this guide also provides links to outside resources, videos, and tools to support this work with young people.

Civic Engagement Resource Guide | NYC Department of Youth & Community Development

RESOURCE KEY

Use this key to help you determine which resources are right for you and your staff

Promoting Civic Action

Knowledge is only a piece of the civic engagement puzzle. Action is essential. The resources in this section provide an introduction to the concrete ways to engage youth as young as kindergarten in civic action, whether it’s learning how to organize and advocate or volunteering in and researching their community. Many of the resources you’ll find here serve as models and inspiration to build your own civic engagement programs or activities within your organization.

Education Tools (lesson plans, toolkits + handouts)

Online Support (webinars + online classes)

Virtual Games + Activities Action Initiatives Videos

To access the resources, simply click the title of the resource to follow the hyperlink!

ACTIVISM

Find organizations that support the goals and interests of the young people you serve! Use these links as a springboard to develop young activists, advocates, and ambassadors for the issues that matter to young people today around climate change, social justice, equity, politics, voter awareness, and more. Be mindful of the limitations of the use of DYCD funds for this purpose. (See page 6)

YOUNG VOICES FOR THE PLANET

Topic: Climate Justice

Audience: Grades K-12

The curriculum provided by Young Voices for the Planet helps educators establish an action plan with young people around the environment. In addition to lesson plans, the site provides access to organizations for young people to join. There are youth documentaries and professional development for educators, as well.

ECO-CYCLE

Topic: Climate Justice

Audience: Grades K-12

Eco-Cycle is one of the oldest and largest non-profit recyclers and Zero Waste organizations in the U.S. and has an international reputation as a pioneer and innovator in resource conservation. In addition to educational materials (including videos and informational posters), Eco-Cycle is home to the Be Straw Free campaign, and it provides specific action steps to get involved in promoting a straw-free culture as a step towards environmental protection.

EARTH GUARDIANS

Topic: Climate Justice, Community Organizing

Audience: Grades 3-12

Earth Guardians is an intergenerational organization that trains diverse youth to be effective leaders in the environmental, climate, and social justice movements across the globe. This guide, by a teenage advocate with Earth Guardians, is written in kid-friendly language and outlines the step-by-step process needed to organize an advocacy effort. While the focus is on climate justice, the steps can be applied across a range of issues.

PLANT FOR THE PLANET

Topic: Advocacy, Climate Justice, Organizing

Audience: Grades 3-9

Plant for the Planet is an international, youth-centered organization that advocates for the planting of trees in an effort to slow climate change. Their global reach includes a teen advisory board, training for young climate ambassadors (online and in person), and support for satellite “Plant for the Planet” clubs.

MIKVA CHALLENGE

Topic: Social Justice

Audience: Grades 6-12

Mikva Challenge is a non-partisan nonprofit that develops youth to be empowered, informed, and active citizens. They believe the first step to becoming an engaged citizen is gaining the ability to stand up and speak out on issues that one cares about. They provide opportunities nationwide for young people to engage in councils and public-speaking events.

RESISTANCE SCHOOL

Topic: Organizing, Politics

Audience: Grades 6-12

Resistance School offers videos, readings, and resources on topics like community organizing, communication skills, and electoral tactics. They can also connect you to organizations in need of volunteers. The trainings are led by renowned political campaigners, communicators, organizers, and academics and are designed for every level of advocate. Be mindful of the limitations of the use of DYCD funds for this purpose. (See page 6)

YVOTE

Topic: Social Justice, Voting

Audience: Grades 9-12

YVote is a youth voting initiative focused on helping racially, economically, and politically diverse high schoolers channel their passions and beliefs into positive civic action, at and beyond the ballot box. By analyzing key issues of our times—affordable housing, immigration, mass incarceration—YVote youth discover connections and develop commitment to becoming ambassadors for voting in schools and communities. Be mindful of the limitations of the use of DYCD funds for this purpose. (See page 6)

Civic Engagement Resource Guide NYC Department of Youth Community

ZERO HOUR

Topic: Climate Justice

Audience: Grades 6-12

Zero Hour’s founders organized to mobilize young people for a national day of action that would get the attention of politicians. They were frustrated by the inaction of elected officials and the fact that youth voices were almost always ignored in the conversation around climate change and the profound impact that it would have on young people. The site provides current, past, and upcoming campaigns that can be joined by young people across the country.

COMMUNITY RESEARCH

Impact begins in your own community. Use these pedagogies, approaches, and tools to collaborate with the young people in your program as they discover how they can enact change in their own neighborhoods.

YOUTH PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH HUB

Topic: Community Action

Audience: Grades K-12

A comprehensive website for YPAR--a pedagogy that gets young people actively engaged in on-the-ground research--including resources, accessible and adaptable lesson plans, curricula, and case studies. This site provides activities and long-term projects to encourage community research and problem-solving.

SERVICE LEARNING AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

(see specific hyperlinks below)

Interested in starting a service learning initiative, but need some guidance?

This step-by-step guide to creating service-learning programs, for grade 9-12, is provided by the Universities of Maine at Augusta and Southern Maine. Intended for university faculty, this toolkit offers evidence, case studies, and materials to prepare anyone leading a service-learning initiative.

• TOOLKIT

• PROJECT IDEAS

DATABASES

These websites will give you access to studies, data, research, and articles to support your civic engagement programming and springboard community research with your program participants.

• The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement

CIRCLE focuses on young people in the United States, especially those who are marginalized or disadvantaged in political life.

• Data2Go

Data2go is an easy-to-use online mapping and data tool that brings together federal, state, and city data on a broad range of issues critical to the well-being of all New Yorkers.

• The Policy Circle

The Policy Circle offers data and research that support the need and benefit of civic engagement across all ages and communities. It provides links to useful resources and extended reading, as well as next steps--posing thoughtful questions to spark dialogue around civic engagement.

• YouthREX

YouthREX makes research evidence and evaluation practices accessible and relevant to the grassroots youth sector through knowledge exchange, capacity-building, and evaluation leadership. Search by topic or population to find research briefs, webinars, and infographics.

GEHL PEOPLE: PUBLIC LIFE TOOLKIT

Topic: Community Action

Audience: Grades 3-12

Public Life Tools is a toolkit that guides young people through the process of Participatory Action Research. Public Life Tools measures certain aspects of public life to better understand what’s already happening in a place and what changes might provide public benefits. The toolkit walks participants through the process of developing a research question, conducting surveys, and presenting data.

CONNECTED LEARNING LAB

Topic: Social Justice

Audience: Grades 4-12

The CLL is dedicated to studying and mobilizing learning technologies in equitable, innovative, and learner-centered ways. Examine youth participatory action research through their Pathways Project--a set of lesson plans to introduce YPAR to young people.

VOLUNTEERISM

One well-recognized component of civic engagement is community service. Within NYC there exist a myriad of volunteer opportunities, especially for young people. These examples are just a few ways your organization can get involved across the city or build your own culture of volunteerism. Check out nycservice.org for new and on-going opportunities!

GENERATIONON

Topic: Community Action

Audience: Grades K-12

GenerationOn provides programs, tools, and resources to engage kids and teens in service and volunteering. The site is organized by projects, causes, and resources and provides opportunities to join existing campaigns or start satellite clubs within one’s own organization and community.

NYC PARKS GREENTHUMB YOUTH LEADERSHIP COUNCIL (YLC)

Topic: Climate Justice, Community Action, Mentorship

Audience: Grades 6-12

The GreenThumb Youth Leadership Council (YLC) is an opportunity for young people to volunteer at community gardens in New York City. Through this initiative, they learn from community gardeners and develop skills ranging from horticulture and carpentry to event planning and leadership.

NYC PUBLIC LIBRARIES (see specific hyperlinks below)

Topic: Community Action, Mentorship

Audience: Grades 8-12

Public libraries provide a place for residents to research, learn, and strengthen their communities. Libraries accept volunteers as young as 14 to tutor, offer classes, or support librarians administratively.

New York Public Library | Brooklyn Public Library | Queens Public Library

CORO NEW YORK LEADERSHIP CENTER

Audience: Grades 9-12

• Youth Council

The New York City Youth Council (NYCYC) is a partnership between the New York City Council and Coro New York Leadership Center to enhance youth-adult partnerships and elevate youth voice in decision-making related to policy and practice. NYCYC prepares a diverse group of young people to serve as a vital advisory resource to elevate youth voice.

• Participatory Budgeting Youth Fellowship

The Participatory Budgeting Youth Fellowship (PBYF) builds the leadership skills of young New Yorkers who are committed to lifting up youth voices and leading change. The program offers high schoolers intensive leadership training, hands-on work experience, and ongoing support to promote greater youth involvement in New York City’s Participatory Budgeting (PB) process.

Civic Engagement Resource Guide | NYC Department of Youth & Community Development

YOUTH COUNCILS

Find information about ways young people can make an impact at the local level. Many organizations have intentional youth advisory councils to seek perspectives from the young people in the community. Here are some places you can direct interested young people or use as models to establish your own youth advisory boards.

NYC CIVILIAN COMPLAINT REVIEW BOARD (CCRB) - YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL (YAC)

Topic: Advocacy, Community Action, Social Justice

Audience: Grades 6-12

The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is a working committee made up of young leaders who are committed to criminal justice issues and improving policecommunity relations. Members advise CCRB staff about its efforts to engage young New Yorkers, serving as ambassadors to their communities about the agency and joining team-building activities.

NYC YOUTH LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

Topic: Advocacy, Community Action, Social Justice

Audience: Grades 8-12

NYC Youth Leadership Councils (YLCs) are a network of youth groups focused on policy, practice, and advocacy to make local change happen. Each YLC is a space to team up with others, share ideas, create solutions, and put those solutions into action with the support from city agencies, schools, and community organizations.

TEENS TAKE CHARGE

Topic: Advocacy, Education, Social Justice

Audience: Grades 9-12

Teens Take Charge is a student-led movement for educational equity in New York City. It provides a platform for New York City high school students to share their experiences in the school system across the city at official hearings, in meetings with policymakers, on television broadcasts, and in the pages of major news outlets. Members study present-day educational inequity, its historical roots, develop policy proposals to address specific problems, and lead advocacy campaigns targeting the city and school officials with the ability to enact their solutions.

DYCD NEIGHBORHOOD ADVISORY BOARDS

Topic: Community Action

Audience: Grades 10-12

NABs are volunteer-run boards, supported administratively by DYCD, that provide residents of low-income communities, Neighborhood Development Areas (NDAs), with an opportunity to help DYCD identify funding priorities based on the needs of their local communities. Young people (16+) are invited to apply to serve on the boards in their neighborhoods.

Civic

READ-ALOUDS

You’re never too young for activism! Engage even the youngest among us in civic dialogue and action with these stunning picture books.

I AM ONE by Susan Verde and Peter H. Reynolds

Topic: Advocacy

Sankofa Read Aloud shares African-American Children’s Stories. It is a resource for educators, parents, and children in the online learning community, as well as inside the school environment. I am One is described as “a powerful call to action, encouraging each reader to raise their voice, extend a hand, and take that one first step to start something beautiful and move toward a better world” The book includes a guided meditation and self-reflection activity.

KAMALA AND MAYA’S BIG IDEA by Meena Harris and Ana Ramirez Gonzalez

Topic: Advocacy, Community Action

Harper Kids presents author, Meena Harris, reading aloud the true story of her aunt, Vice President, Kamala Harris. “A beautiful, empowering picture book about two sisters who work with their community to effect change, inspired by a true story from the childhood of the author’s aunt, Kamala Harris, and mother, lawyer, and policy expert Maya Harris.” Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea is a story of children’s ability to make a difference and of a community coming together to transform their neighborhood.

MAYBE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL by F. Isabel Compoy, Theresa Howell, and Rafael Lopez

Topic: Community Action

“What good can a splash of color do in a community of gray? As Mira and her neighbors discover, more than you might ever imagine! Based on the true story of the Urban Art Trail in San Diego, California, Maybe Something Beautiful reveals how art can inspire transformation— and how even the smallest artists can accomplish something big.” Featuring bilingual narration in English and Spanish, this program is produced by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Negaunee Music Institute with Chicago Children’s Theatre.

Civic

Spotlighting Research & Evidence from the Field

This section will help you imagine what civic engagement can look like in your program. From quick reads on Edutopia, to deeper dives into research papers, and everything in between, you’ll find easy-to-digest data, research, and case studies to support and guide your program into the world of civic engagement.

READ ON THE RUN: 5 MINUTES OR LESS

CIVIC EDUCATION AND STUDENT-DRIVEN ACTION

Age group: 13-21

DYCD Framework Connection: Action, CoCreating Environment

A teacher recounts the powerful impact of employing Action Civics in their high school classroom. The article outlines the process students used to identify, explore, and present on sources of violence in their community.

CIVICS IN THE ELEMENTARY CLASSROOM

Age group: 4-11

DYCD Framework Connection: Knowledge, Attitudes, & Skills

An elementary school teacher outlines the steps taken to bring civic concepts into the classroom by introducing issue identification, public speaking, and the voting process. With a focus on resources and project-based learning, this article provides concrete examples to engage children in civic processes.

TIPS FOR COMBINING PROJECT-BASED AND SERVICE LEARNING

Age group: 5-21

DYCD Framework Connection: Knowledge, Attitude, & Skills, Action, Reflection, Co-Creating Environment

This article presents a concise, step-by-step guide to develop service-learning opportunities that align with a project-based learning pedagogy. Educator Andrew Miller walks you through the process of developing a project-based unit that focuses on community need.

GRAB A CUP OF COFFEE: 10 MINUTES OR LESS

PROMOTING CIVIC ENGAGEMENT THROUGH AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS

Age group: 7-21

DYCD Framework Connection: Knowledge, Attitude, & Skills

This article presents a mini research brief on the importance of civic engagement in afterschool programs. It spotlights key concepts in civic engagement, promising practices for promoting civics in afterschool programs, and links to additional research.

WHAT IS CIVIC ENGAGEMENT? DEFINITIONS, EXAMPLES, HOW-TOS, AND MORE

Age group: All

DYCD Framework Connection: Knowledge, Attitude, & Skills

This article outlines the benefits of civic engagement, various ways to get involved, and the steps to create your own civic engagement plan. This quick read is broken down into categories that set up the “why,” “how,” and “what now?” of civic engagement in any context.

Civic Engagement Resource Guide | NYC Department of Youth & Community Development

ENGAGING WITH THE COMMUNITY WITH A PROJECT-BASED APPROACH

Age group: 6-14

DYCD Framework Connection: Knowledge, Attitude, & Skills, Action, Reflection, Co-Creating Environment

Halvorsen, A. L., Duke, N. K., Strachan, S. L., and Johnson, C. M. (2018). Engaging the community with a project-based approach. Social Education, 82(1), 24-29. DIVE:

This case study explores the development and implementation of a projectbased learning unit in a 2nd grade social studies classroom. The intention of the project was to build connections between community history, civics, and literacy. The article outlines the process and links to curriculum materials.

IDEAS FOR CIVIC ACTION AT A TIME OF SOCIAL UNCERTAINTY

Age group: 12-24

DYCD Framework Connection: Knowledge, Attitude, & Skills, Action, Reflection, Co-Creating Environment

The author of From Inquiry to Action: Civic Engagement With Project-Based Learning in All Content Areas details a five-step process for giving young people agency in taking on problems they see in their own communities and in the world — and learning to be responsible citizens along the way. The step-bystep breakdown includes identifying important issues, researching, exploring potential solutions, taking action, and reflecting.

INTEGRATING YOUTH PARTICIPATION AND ECOSOCIAL WORK: NEW POSSIBILITIES TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

Age group: 11-24

DYCD Framework Connection: Knowledge, Attitude, & Skills

A mini research brief on the importance of civic engagement, this study explores promising practices stemming from the “Where I Stand” Youth Summit held in Chicago, Illinois in April 2018 and reveals key concepts in critical youth engagement and empowerment.

(2019). Integrating youth participation and ecosocial work: New possibilities to advance environmental and social justice. Journal of Community Practice, 27(3-4), 460-475.

Civic Engagement Resource Guide | NYC Department of Youth & Community Development

SUPPORTING GLOBAL AWARENESS: A PROPOSAL FOR YOUTH CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Age group: 10-24

DYCD Framework Connection: Knowledge, Attitude, & Skills, Action, Reflection, Co-Creating Environment

This article highlights various ways a locally-oriented civic project can be “stretched” to build students’ global awareness and includes a series of recommendations for educators on how to foster the global civic mindedness of youth.

Epstein, S. E. (2017). Supporting global awareness: a proposal for youth civic engagement. Schools, 14(1), 141-154.

WHAT DO WE MEAN BY “CIVIC ENGAGEMENT?”

Age group: All

DYCD Framework Connection: Knowledge, Attitude, & Skills, Action

An in depth study on the understanding and impact of civic engagement across generations, this research paper defines a spectrum of civic practices, presents data on civic involvement, and proposed initiatives to increase engagement across a variety of demographics.

Adler, R. P., and Goggin, J. (2005). What do we mean by “civic engagement”?. Journal of transformative education, 3(3), 236-253.

Civic Engagement Resource Guide | NYC Department of Youth & Community Development

PART III

III.I

Building Civic Knowledge, Attitudes, Skills, & SelfReflection III.II

Promoting Civic Action

51 III.III

Spotlighting Research & Evidence from the Field

Civic engagement isn’t only of value with youth; adults of all ages benefit from getting involved in their communities at the local, regional, and national levels. If you’re looking to provide a space for civic learning among adults, there are a number of resources offering toolkits and webinars to support this. Many of the resources included serve as models for your organization to develop your own mentorship or volunteer programs that serve your neighborhood. This list is just the beginning of what’s out there, but we’re excited to give you a place to start!

A NOTE ON ORGANIZATION

Adult resources are arranged in alignment with the domains of the Framework for Civic Engagement. Within each section, you will find that resources are broken down by topic or theme.

Building Civic Knowledge, Attitudes, Skills, & SelfReflection | In this segment, you will find a variety of resources, categorized by topic, that teach specific civics knowledge: History, Government, and Politics, Social Justice and Immigration, and Voting.

Promoting Civic Action | These resources are sorted by categories of civic engagement: Activism, Advisory Boards, Community Research, Mentorship, Volunteerism, and Voting. In addition to providing you with ways to support community members who want to get involved civically, they are also great examples of ways you can build civic action into your organization.

Spotlighting Research & Evidence from the Field | This section provides you with a variety of articles and research briefs that feature case studies, data, and anecdotal evidence of the impact of civic engagement within a community. You’ll find these resources organized by time commitment: 5, 10, or 15 minute reads.

Each listing provides you with a link, topics covered, and a summary of the organization and what it can offer your CBO and program site. You’ll also find coded resources directing you to sites that provide educational tools, online supports, videos, games, and action initiatives.

III.I

Building Civic Knowledge, Attitudes, Skills, & Self-Reflection

RESOURCE KEY

Use this key to help you determine which resources are right for you and your staff

Education Tools (lesson plans, toolkits + handouts)

Online Support (webinars + online classes)

Virtual Games + Activities

Action Initiatives

Videos

To access the resources, simply click the title of the resource to follow the hyperlink!

The first step to engaging as a civic partner in one’s community is to know what’s happening in the world around you. As a starting point to exploring the vast landscape of civic education, we’ve broken down this section into three segments (History, Government, and Politics, Social Justice and Immigration, and Voting) These resources will start to build knowledge and understanding of the civic issues impacting your community, New York City, the nation, and beyond. In these pages you’ll find a variety of issues, organizations, and tools to help introduce your community to the power of civic engagement.

HISTORY, GOVERNMENT, AND POLITICS

If you’re looking for traditional Civics 101 content, this is where you’ll find it!

GENERATION CITIZEN (GC)

Topic: Government, Politics Generation Citizen works to ensure that everyone in the United States receives an effective action civics education, which provides them with the knowledge and skills necessary to participate in our democracy as active citizens. The website offers lesson plans for teachers, young people, families, and caregivers in Spanish and English.

ICIVICS

Topic: Government, History, Politics, Social Justice

iCivics provides educators and families well-written and inventive civic education lesson plans, activities, and games that champion equitable, non-partisan civic education. They teach the material in the context of problems and issues that are relevant to all people.

NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Topic: Government, History, Social Justice

NYC’s first museum, the NYHS provides a unique look at NYC’s rich history. Its educational resources encourage cultural understanding. Through online lessons, virtual site visits, and free residency opportunities, organizations can explore NYC’s history of civic engagement.

RESISTANCE SCHOOL

Topic: Advocacy, Politics Resistance School offers videos, readings, and resources on topics like community organizing, communication skills, and electoral tactics. They also make connections with organizations that need help. Their trainings are led by renowned political campaigners, communicators, organizers, and academics and are designed for every level of advocate. Be mindful of the limitations of the use of DYCD funds for this purpose. (See page 6)

GRANTING ORGANIZATIONS

Looking to fund meaningful civic engagement work in your community? Browse these opportunities and project examples to get inspired and get started!

• Carnegie Corporation of New York’s Democracy Program supports the civic integration of immigrants. This program also supports the protection of voting rights and promotes voter participation of all citizens. They work to foster a fair, diverse, and vibrant democracy that welcomes and offers opportunities to all.

• Citizens Committee for New York City partners with grassroots organizations across the city to provide support for those in need. Their mission is to empower communities to come together to improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods. Through surveys, storytelling, partnerships, and advisory councils, CCNYC sets an example for educated, community-based action.

SOCIAL JUSTICE AND IMMIGRATION

For background information on civil rights, equity, current events, and immigration policy, these resources will provide some context.

CENTER FOR URBAN PEDAGOGY

Topic: Politics, Social Justice The Center for Urban Pedagogy (CUP) is a nonprofit organization that uses the power of design and art to increase meaningful civic engagement. CUP collaborates with designers, educators, advocates, young people, and communities to make educational tools that demystify complex policy and planning issues. In addition to resources for the general public on their rights, their site provides examples of community projects and a rich listing of NYC-based organizations that engage in meaningful civic works.

EVERYDAY DEMOCRACY

Topic: Organizing, Social Justice Everyday Democracy provides discussion guides, how-to handbooks, trainings, coaching, and other resources to help create a more democratic and inclusive community. With a focus on issues such as poverty, immigration, and education, among others, they offer an adaptable approach to community engagement through the lens of racial equity. Be mindful of the limitations of the use of DYCD funds for this purpose. (See page 6)

FRAMEWORKS INSTITUTE

Topic: Social Justice Frameworks combines the best of theory and practice by researching people’s deeply held worldviews and widely held assumptions. They test ways of activating more productive ways of thinking about social issues. Their findings are presented as articles and toolkits, organized by issue for easy reference.

NATIONAL COALITION FOR DIALOGUE AND DELIBERATION

Topic: Politics, Social Justice Dialogue and deliberation are innovative processes that help people come together across differences to tackle their most challenging problems. NCDD serves as a gathering place, resource center, news source, and facilitative leader for this vital community practice. The clearinghouse provides opportunities for networking with like-minded facilitators and connections to resources that encourage productive dialogue at all levels.

UNITED NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSES

Topic: Education, Politics, Social Justice

United Neighborhood Houses is a policy and social change organization representing 44 neighborhood settlement houses that serve 765,000 New Yorkers from all walks of life. They provide customized professional development and peer learning to build the skills and leadership capabilities of staff at all levels.

UNITED WE DREAM

Topic: Immigration, Social Justice

United We Dream is the largest immigrant youth-led community in the country. They create welcoming spaces for young adults – regardless of immigration status – to support, engage, and empower them to make their voices heard. The site provides toolkits and concrete opportunities to get involved and take action.

VOTING

These websites provide tools for promoting activism and values around exercising one’s voice at the local, regional, and national level. Be mindful of the limitations of the use of DYCD funds for this purpose. (See page 6)

LET NY VOTE

Topic: Social Justice, Voting Let NY Vote is a nonpartisan, statewide coalition of grassroots networks, civil rights and civil liberties organizations, re-entry communities, good government groups, unions, social service providers, immigrant rights groups, and everyday citizens fighting improve our elections by making registering and voting more accessible and equitable for every eligible New Yorker.

NYC VOTES: GUIDE TO VOTING FOR FORMERLY INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS

Topic: Voting This is a guide to voting for formerly incarcerated individuals developed by NYC Votes. The guide breaks down misconceptions and links to resources that answer commonly-asked questions.

ROOSEVELT VOTES

Topic: Politics, Voting Roosevelt Votes is a non-partisan, community-led campaign to increase the voter turnout in all elections and encourage residents to be civically engaged on issues that matter to them. Roosevelt Votes is an initiative of Choice for All, an organization that advances child, family, and community well-being on Long Island and beyond.

Promoting Civic Action III.II

As a starting point to engage interested members of your community, this section is a place for you to direct them towards involvement in politics, organizing, advocacy, voting, community development, and advisory boards. These websites also provide great inspiration to develop your own civic engagement initiatives within your organization! This is only a snapshot of the opportunities available in New York City and beyond, but we hope it will motivate your staff and constituents to take action.

RESOURCE KEY

Use this key to help you determine which resources are right for you and your staff

Education Tools (lesson plans, toolkits + handouts)

Online Support (webinars + online classes)

Virtual Games

+ Activities Action Initiatives

Videos

To access the resources, simply click the title of the resource to follow the hyperlink!

ACTIVISM

These resources will help you find organizations that support the goals and interests of your community, providing concrete ways to get involved with canvassing efforts, voter awareness campaigns, and other movements that build awareness of social justice issues. Be mindful of the limitations of the use of DYCD funds for this purpose. (See page 6)

CITIZEN ACTION

Topic: Climate Justice, Social Justice Citizen Action of New York is a grassroots membership organization taking on issues for social, racial, economic, and environmental justice. They focus their organizing on low-income communities and communities of color. One can get involved by canvassing and phone-banking with them.

COMMUNITY SERVICE SOCIETY

Topic: Social Justice The Community Service Society advances pragmatic, practical solutions that strengthen and benefit NYC and create opportunity and prosperity for all New Yorkers. Through hard-hitting research, innovative service models, and a willingness to work with partners in the public and private spheres and across the political spectrum, CSS is helping to build a stronger, more equitable New York.

VOCAL NEW YORK

Topic: Politics, Social Justice

VOCAL-NY is a statewide grassroots membership organization that builds power among low-income people directly impacted by HIV/AIDS, the drug war, mass incarceration, and homelessness. They have chapters in New York City, Albany, Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester, and Westchester County. One can sign up for their newsletter to stay up to date on their community action events.

ADVISORY BOARDS

In this section, you’ll find information about ways to make an impact at the local level in a community advisory capacity. Ranging from tenant associations to immigration coalitions, these community board opportunities exist for community members as young as 16.

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT COMMISSION (CEC)

Topic: Advocacy, Community Action, Politics

The CEC partners with community-based organizations and civic leaders to increase awareness of city services and assist New York City agencies in developing community engagement initiatives.

COMMUNITY AFFAIRS UNIT - COMMUNITY BOARD

Topic: Advocacy, Community Action, Politics

The CAU Board is responsible for addressing community concerns, assessing the needs of the community, and providing administrative services, like organizing cleanup programs, support for zoning issues, or processing permits for block parties.

DYCD NEIGHBORHOOD ADVISORY BOARDS

Topic: Advocacy, Community Action, Politics

NABs are volunteer-run boards, supported administratively by DYCD, that provide residents of low-income communities, Neighborhood Development Areas (NDAs), with an opportunity to help DYCD identify funding priorities based on the needs of their local communities. Anyone as young as 16 can apply to serve on their Neighborhood Advisory Board.

NEIGHBORHOOD BLOCK ASSOCIATION

Topic: Community Action

This guide outlines how to start a neighborhood block association in the community, where the residents of a particular area work together to maintain a safe and attractive neighborhood.

NEW YORK CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY (NYCHA) TENANT ASSOCIATION

Topic: Community Action

The NYCHA Tenant Association works to create a positive living environment for families residing in public housing by giving residents a real voice in the operation of their developments.

THE NEW YORK IMMIGRATION COALITION

Topic: Community Action

The NYIC has a Civic Engagement Collaborative that empowers immigrant communities by engaging them in voter registration, civic participation issues, advocacy, outreach, events, and trainings.

COMMUNITY RESEARCH

These websites will give you access to studies, data, research, and articles to support your civic engagement programming and springboard community research with your program participants.

THE POLICY CIRCLE

Topic: Community Action The Policy Circle offers data and research that supports the need and benefits of civic engagement across all ages and communities. It provides links to useful resources and extended reading, as well as next steps--posing thoughtful questions to spark dialogue around civic engagement.

GEHL PEOPLE: PUBLIC LIFE TOOLKIT

Topic: Community Action Public Life Tools is a toolkit that outlines the process of Participatory Action Research. Public Life Tools measures certain aspects of public life to better understand what’s already happening in a place and what changes might provide public benefits. The toolkit walks participants through the process of developing a research question, conducting surveys, and presenting data.

DATA2GO

Data2go is an easy-to-use online mapping and data tool created by the nonprofit Measure of America. It brings together federal, state, and city data on a broad range of issues critical to the well-being of all New Yorkers.

MENTORSHIP

As reaffirmed in DYCD’s Promote the Positive Framework, a key to positive youth development is having role models. Becoming a mentor can be an excellent way to have an immediate impact in the lives of young people. Below are a couple of examples to recommend or use as models for starting a mentorship initiative within your organization.

DYCD’S YOUNG MEN’S INITIATIVE (YMI)

Topic: Community Action, Mentorship

DYCD’s YMI helps youth in grades 5 - 12 to transition into middle and high school and beyond and become involved in their communities. Adults ages 18 and over can train to mentor these young men in the community.

NYC DEPARTMENT OF AGING: FOSTER GRANDPARENTS PROGRAM

Topic: Community Action, Mentorship

The Foster Grandparents program provides an opportunity for older adults to serve as mentors, tutors, and caregivers for children and youth with special needs. To become a Foster Grandparent one must be age 55 or older and be able to serve between 15 and 40 hours per week. Volunteers who meet certain income guidelines also receive a small, tax-free stipend.

VOLUNTEERISM

One well-understood component of civic engagement is community service. Within NYC there exist a myriad of volunteer opportunities. These examples are just a few ways your organization can get involved across the city or build your own culture of volunteerism. Check out nycservice.org for new and on-going opportunities!

GROWNYC

Topic: Climate Justice, Community Action GrowNYC offers environmental-based programs in NYC that include Farmers’ Markets, recycling, and gardening. Individuals 18 and older can help lead cooking demos at Greenmarkets, teach others the recycling rules, and more.

NYC PARKS GREENTHUMB

Topic: Climate Justice, Community Action, Mentorship

GreenThumb provides programming and material support to over 550 community gardens in New York City. Monthly workshops cover everything from gardening basics to more advanced farming and community organizing topics. One can get involved by joining an existing garden, starting one in their community, or joining the “Help a Garden Grow” Volunteer Program.

NYC PUBLIC LIBRARIES (see specific hyperlinks below)

Topic: Community Action, Mentorship

Public libraries provide a place for residents to research, learn, and strengthen their communities. Libraries accept volunteers as young as 14 to tutor, offer classes, or support librarians administratively.

New York Public Library | Brooklyn Public Library | Queens Public Library

PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING

Topic: Community Action, Politics

Participatory budgeting enables New York City residents to propose and vote on projects in their City Council districts. One can get involved by volunteering as a budget delegate, poll worker, or by joining their district committee...and, of course, proposing ideas and voting!

SERVICE LEARNING AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Topic: Community Action, Politics

This step-by-step guide to getting started in creating service-learning programs provided by the Universities of Maine at Augusta and Southern Maine is intended for university faculty, but this toolkit offers evidence, case studies, and materials to prepare anyone leading a service-learning initiative. This is a great resource to help develop a service initiative in your organization.

VOLUNTEER DATABASES

Looking for a one-stop shop for volunteer opportunities for your community? Try these databases to help you find ways to get involved near you!

• NYC Service

This database of volunteer opportunities across NYC can be searched by interest, area, or organization. It provides information on youth councils and other service initiatives across the city. CBOs can also find information on volunteering and training opportunities.

• United Way

The United Way provides a search engine that finds opportunities to get involved by location. Searches can be conducted by skill, category, or type of volunteer experience.

• Volunteer.gov

Operated by the US Government, this search site allows one to search volunteer opportunities at National Parks, Fish and Wildlife or Forest Services, the Bureau of Land Management, the US Army Corps of Engineers and others for a more experiential volunteer experience.

BRENNAN CENTER FOR JUSTICE AT NYU LAW

Stay up to date on the latest information with a podcast featuring conversations on issues like democracy, justice, race, and the Constitution.

Topics: Government, Politics, Social Justice

The Brennan Center for Justice is an independent, nonpartisan law and policy organization that conducts research on issues such as mass incarceration and voter suppression. They are an advocacy group working with elected officials to advance legislation.

VOTING

Voting is an essential part of a civically engaged society. These organizations provide active ways to engage in raising voter awareness throughout your community. Be mindful of the limitations of the use of DYCD funds for this purpose. (See page 7)

BROOKLYN VOTERS ALLIANCE

Topic: Social Justice, Voting Brooklyn Voters Alliance is an all-volunteer, non-partisan organization that works to protect and expand voting rights in New York State. They promote voter participation, education, and civic engagement to ensure fairness and equal access to the fundamental right to vote.

NYC VOTES’ COMMUNITY PROFILES

Topic: Community Action, Voting

NYC Votes’ Community Profiles offer a practical, visual deep dive into voter turnout and factors that impact civic participation across New York City, broken down by community district. The profiles bring together data from New York City’s voter file with demographic data to help better understand your community’s residents. Each Community Profile also includes county and citywide benchmarks, so one can see how one community compares to others in the city.

Spotlighting Research & Evidence from the Field

This section will help you imagine what civic engagement can look like in your organization. From quick-read articles to deep dives into research papers, and everything in between, you’ll find data, research, and case studies to support and guide your program into the world of civic engagement.

GRAB A CUP OF COFFEE: 10 MINUTES OR LESS

DACA ISN’T WHAT MADE ME AMERICAN: BEING A DREAMER IS

DYCD Framework Connection: Knowledge, Attitude, & Skills, Action, Reflection

This first-hand account from the perspective of Jin K. Park, Harvard University Medical student and Dreamer follows the idea that America is a nation governed by its people. He recounts the significance of advocating for himself, and Dreamers like him, despite their lack of “papers.” This article beautifully illustrates how civic engagement goes beyond an understanding of democracy and becomes an understanding of the people living in this country.

THE TWO-WAY BENEFITS OF LOCAL, INTERGENERATIONAL CLASSROOM SUPPORT

DYCD Framework Connection: Knowledge, Attitude, & Skills, Action, Reflection

This article spotlights four ways classroom tutoring support can improve education while increasing the well-being of young and older populations in under-served communities.

Dawn Purnell, D’Ann Morris and Teresa Seeman, Stanford University’s Social Innovation Review

WHAT IS CIVIC ENGAGEMENT? DEFINITIONS, EXAMPLES, HOW TOS, AND MORE

DYCD Framework Connection: Knowledge, Attitude, & Skills, Action

This article outlines the benefits of civic engagement, various ways to get involved, and the steps to create your own civic engagement plan. This quick read is broken down into categories that set up the “why,” “how,” and “what now?” of civic engagement in any context.

DEEP DIVE: 15 MINUTES OR MORE

IMMIGRANT-LED ORGANIZERS IN THEIR OWN VOICES: LOCAL REALITIES & SHARED VISIONS

DYCD Framework Connection: Knowledge, Attitude, & Skills, Action, Reflection

CLINIC continues to react adeptly to rapid changes in the world of immigration law and policy. With a robust response to recent threats to vulnerable populations, CLINIC prepares its members to meet growing demands for legal screening, protection from deportation, adjustments of status and naturalization as citizens. They provide toolkits, trainings, and webinars.

Sibora Gjecovi, Esther James, and Jeff Chenoweth, Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC)

WHAT DO WE MEAN BY “CIVIC ENGAGEMENT?”

DYCD Framework Connection: Knowledge, Attitude, & Skills, Action

An in depth study on the understanding and impact of civic engagement across generations, this research paper defines a spectrum of civic practices, presents data on civic involvement, and proposed initiatives to increase engagement across a variety of demographics.

Adler, R. P., and Goggin, J. (2005). What do we mean by “civic engagement”?. Journal of transformative education, 3(3), 236-253.

Civic NYC of Youth Community

Part IV Appendix

DYCD Framework for Civic Engagement Expanding Participant Leadership Definition and Practice

You cannot take your freedoms for granted. Just like generations who have come before you, you have to do your part to preserve and protect those freedoms... preparing yourself to add your voice to our national conversation.

— Michelle Obama

Civic engagement activities foster the knowledge, attitudes, and skills, that are necessary for youth and adults to become agents of change in their communities. The Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) defines civic engagement as individual or collective action that seeks to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.

Civic engagement requires a combination of civic education and civic action, including knowledge of democratic institutions and processes, motivation to make a difference, willingness to learn about needs in the community, and recognition of ways in which issues can be addressed.

By intentionally expanding leadership development practice, DYCD and providers can promote civic engagement across all program areas by (1) fostering civic knowledge, attitudes, and skills; (2) engaging in opportunities for civic action and reflection; and (3) cocreating conditions for civic engagement with participants, through curriculum and instructional strategies, evaluation and feedback, and a supportive environment.

Knowledge

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Civic literacy —awareness of political parties; understanding the different branches of government at the city, state, and federal levels; familiarity with local, state, and federal budgeting processes

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Social movements and historical events that have impacted current civic issues and understanding the roles of different groups in these movements

ƒ Democratic processes—participating, voting, meeting with elected and appointed officials, joining in participatory budgeting

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Digital citizenship—understanding the use of social media , other digital tools, and online platforms to promote civic engagement

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Social responsibility and global awareness – understanding and having a sense of obligation and purpose in acting for the benefit of society at large

Inner/Self Characteristics: Participants are motivated, self-aware, and persistent.

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Adopting a civic attitude and identity whereby participants value civic engagement and have a sense of civic responsibility, with a willingness and excitement to participate in the democratic process

ƒ Believing in the power and promise of civic engagement

ƒ Setting goals for civic participation and/or outcomes and having high standards

ƒ Understanding personal feelings and others’ lived experiences with empathy and compassion, acknowledging how those affect civic engagement, actions, and goals

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Following through on civic goals with focus and determination; refusing to give up

Communication: Participants are inspirational, confident, active listeners, effective communicators, and able to persuade.

ƒ Having a positive attitude and appreciation for the democratic process and using that to motivate and encourage others

ƒ Feeling comfortable talking to others and taking action

ƒ Listening and asking questions to understand while paying attention when others are talking

ƒ Acknowledging different and diverse perspectives, goals, and intended outcomes for civic engagement

ƒ Learning to communicate (and potentially disagree) effectively while still collaborating and working toward shared goals

ƒ Changing the opinions of others and gaining support for plans and ideas

Collaboration: Participants have a shared purpose and can convene, delegate, and organize people.

ƒ Creating collaborative relationships and working toward a common goal

ƒ Bringing people in the spirit of inclusivity and collaboration

ƒ Developing and managing relationships; coordinating and delegating the “right people” with the “right tasks” to ensure meaningful engagement

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Understanding the emotions, actions, and lived experiences of others

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Fact-finding—effectively assessing situations, persons, and information—and using information to convey an idea or recommendation

Action

Participants have opportunities for voice, choice, and agency. They are role models, motivating and inspiring others, mastering skills through persistence and learning from mistakes, and engaging with the school and/or community in the following ways:

ƒ Project-based, service learning, or community service activities to identify and work on local community concerns

ƒ Neighborhood or program boards, councils, or advisory bodies within government or other civic institutions (e.g., DYCD’s Neighborhood Advisory Boards or Interagency Coordinating Council on Youth)

ƒ Mobilized calls to action

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Advocacy or community organizing around topics of interest and need

ƒ Democratic processes (e.g., voting in elections, meeting with elected and appointed officials, joining in participatory budgeting, serving on a community board, attending or testifying at public hearings or town hall meetings)

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Employment opportunities that connect to civic engagement and support civic career pathways

Participants engage in a process that is continuous, connected to action, challenging, and contextualized. It is important to recognize that all participants come with knowledge and experience and provide intentional opportunities for reflection before, during, and after an activity or program.

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What are the civic engagement practices, needs, and community resources that are available to your program?

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Were/are civic actions appropriate, meaningful, intentional, and aligned with personal experiences, needs, and goals?

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What are realistic expectations for the impact of civic engagement? What has supported or hindered progress toward goals?

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Recognize accomplishments: What are your goals and milestones? What progress has been made?

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Is it necessary to adapt or make new plans?

Cocreate Conditions for Civic Engagement

Creating the right conditions for civic engagement requires intentional curriculum and instructional strategies (as well as resources and information that ensures participants are informed of opportunities for involvement) and evaluation and feedback. A supportive environment that is welcoming, is inclusive, and honors participants’ lived experiences is essential. These conditions:

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Are physically, emotionally, and psychologically safe

ƒ Intentionally foster civic knowledge and leadership attitudes and skills

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Provide authentic opportunities for participant voice and choice (and avoid biases and “isms” that may hinder those opportunities for participants to show up as leaders)

ƒ Encourage participation at all levels

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Offer varied and progressive leadership opportunities

ƒ Afford opportunities to give beyond oneself

ƒ Support relationships and partnerships among participants, program staff, and the community

ƒ Reframe conflict and turn situations into opportunities for growth

ƒ Foster a process of reciprocal communication and collaboration (e.g., “ask-listen-encourage”)

Resources

Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning & Engagement (CIRCLE). (2013). All together now: Collaboration and innovation for youth engagement. Medford, MA: Tufts University, Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life.

Clement, R., Deering, M., Mikhael, R., & Villa-Garcia, C. (2014). Youth civic engagement & leadership. Washington, DC: George Washington University. Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD). (2016). Promote the positive: Lead efforts to promote positive youth development, social and emotional learning, and youth leadership. New York: Author. Retrieved from https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dycd/downloads/pdf/Youth_ Leadership_Development_Framework.pdf

Epstein, S. E. (2017). Supporting global awareness: A proposal for youth civic engagement. Schools: Studies in Education, 14(1), 141–154. Knefelkamp, L. L. (2008). Civic identity: Locating self in community. Diversity and Democracy, 11(2), 1–3. McCue, L., & Stuart, T. ( 2016). Civic engagement: An essential ingredient of healthy communities. Toronto, ON: HC Link. Pittman, K., & Martin, S. (2007). Core principles for engaging young people in community change. Washington, DC: The Forum for Youth Investment. Retrieved from http://med-fom-learningcircle.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2010/09/Young-People-For-Community-Change.pdf Redlawsk, D. P., & Rice, T. (2009). Civic service: Service-learning with state and local government partners. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons. Yohalem, N., Wilson-Ahlstrom, A., & Pittman, K. (2004). Out-of-school time and civic engagement. Out-of-School Time Policy Commentary #8. Washington, DC: Forum for Youth Investment. Retrieved from https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED503970

Youniss, J., McLellan, J. A., & Yates, M. (1997). What we know about engendering civic identity. American Behavioral Scientist, 40(5), 620–631.

NYC Government Cheat Sheet

This chart provides opportunities for participants and staff in your organization to get involved in city politics at the local level. Vote in city elections, attend town hall meetings with the Borough President’s office, but to make a real impact, encourage your program participants to get involved with a city government advisory board.

Organization Description

Civic Engagement Commission (CEC)

Partners with community-based organizations and civic leaders to increase awareness of city services and assist New York City agencies in developing community engagement initiatives

Ways to Get Involved

• Volunteer

• Attend meetings

• Anyone can attend

Community Affairs Unit: Community Board

Responsible for addressing community concerns, assessing the needs of the community, and providing administrative services like organizing cleanup programs, zoning issues, or processing permits for block parties

• Meet once a month to address items of concern & hear from the community.

Potential volunteer board members must

DYCD Neighborhood Advisory Board (NAB)

Provides residents of low-income communities, Neighborhood Development Areas (NDAs), with an opportunity to help DYCD identify funding priorities based on the needs of their local communities

• reside in a NAB

• be over 16

• complete an application

NYCHA Tenant Association

Works to create a positive living environment for families living in public housing by giving residents a real voice in the operation of their developments

• Run for a position on the governing board

• Get involved in the voting process.

NYC Youth Leadership Council

Network of youth groups focused on policy, practice, and advocacy to make local change happen with the support from city agencies, schools, and community organizations.

New York City Council: Participatory Budgeting Enables New York City residents to propose and vote on projects in their City Council districts

High school students (ages 14-21) can find their local YLC and apply

Volunteer as a budget delegate, poll worker, or join your district committee.

Civic Engagement Resource Guide | NYC Department of Youth & Community Development

Glossary

TERMS ASSOCIATED WITH CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Agency

The ability to take action or to choose what action to take

Citizenship

Having a role and responsibility in making the rules of the community, common life, and values of a community; the ability and act of engaging with others in common tasks of importance to the community

Civic Action

Participation in activities such a volunteering or service-learning to help better a community

Civic Dialogue

Intentional and purposeful dialogue about civic issues, policies, or decisions of consequence to people’s lives, communities, and society

Civic Engagement

Working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values, and motivation to make that difference; promoting the quality of life in a community, through both political and non-political processes

Civics

The study of the way in which a local government works and of the rights and duties of the people who live in a city

Community Engagement

Collaboration between institutions and their larger communities for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in the context of partnership and reciprocity

Community Outreach

The application and provision of institutional resources, knowledge or services that directly benefits the community; examples include music concerts, athletic events, student volunteers, public lectures, or health fairs

Community Service

Action often provided in a unidirectional, expert model, in which resources are extended to serve community individuals, groups, organizations, and the public, in general

Public Participation

Any process that directly engages the public in decision-making and gives full consideration to public input in making that decision

Service-Learning

Integrated with academic curriculum and content, where young people engage in reflection activities after their service experience and apply their learning in real-life activities

Social Change

Describes efforts to address the root causes of problems that affect society

Social Consciousness

The collective self-awareness and experience of collectively shared social identity

Civic

PARTICIPANTS IN CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Asset

A useful or valuable quality, skill, or person

Citizen

A person who is a member of a particular country and who has rights because of being born there or because of being given rights; a person who lives in a particular town or city

Community

A group of people who are affiliated by geographic proximity, special interest, similar situation, or shared values. Communities may share characteristics such as age, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation

Stakeholder

A person such as an employee, customer, or citizen who is involved with an organization, society, etc., and therefore has responsibilities towards it and an interest in its success

WAYS TO ENGAGE IN CIVIC ACTION

Activism

An intentional action to bring about social or political change; occur in support of, or opposition to, one side of a controversial argument; an action taken to achieve a specific goal

Advocacy

Public support for an idea, plan, or way of doing something

Capacity-Building

Development of an organization’s core skills and capabilities, such as leadership, management, finance and fundraising, or programs and evaluation, in order to build the organization’s effectiveness and sustainability

Community-Based Research

A partnership approach to research that equitably involves community members, organizational representatives, researchers, and others in all aspects of the research process, with all partners in the process contributing expertise and sharing in the decision-making and ownership

Direct Service

Time physically spent serving and addressing community needs (i.e. building a house, raking leaves), ongoing and existing service projects in the community (i.e. tutoring children), or assisting the community in accomplishing necessary tasks (i.e. serving food at a festival)

Indirect Service

Provision of skills and/or work to help an agency perform its functions or to impact upon issues of concern to the agency and the clients/community who it serves

Participatory Action Research

An approach to research in communities that emphasizes participation and action. It seeks to understand the world by trying to change it collaboratively, following reflection

Participatory Budgeting

A process of democratic deliberation and decisionmaking, in which ordinary people decide how to allocate part of a municipal or public budget

Participatory Decision-Making

A creative process to give ownership of decisions to the whole group, finding effective options that everyone can live with

Partnership

Sustained collaboration between institutions and communities for the mutually beneficial exchange, remuneration or any legal requirements to do so

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT RESOURCE GUIDE | VERSION 1.0 - JULY 2021

The Departmnet of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) co-designed the Resource Guide with TYTHEdesign. Photos used with permission from DYCD.

TYTHEdesign works with clients across government, nonprofits, and foundations to utilize human-centered design, accountable collaboration, and civic-based engagement practices that allow us to bring traditionally marginalized voices to the forefront and ultimately achieve outcomes that define a Resilient City. Learn more at tythe-design.com

Civic Engagement Resource Guide | NYC Department of Youth & Community Development