Our Blog
Up-to-date information about GC and the broader community we serve.
Dec062018Read More >Youth voter participation is not red or blue, it’s universal
I have the privilege of working with middle and high school students across the state of Oklahoma. As a civics educator, I find myself constantly noticing where young people show up. During the build-up to the 2018 midterm election, I saw students where I always do — at the mall, in their schools, at athletic […]
Nov132018Read More >Generation Citizen 2018 Annual Report
We are excited to share our 2018 Annual Report. The report highlights key achievements from the past year, including progress on our three-year strategic growth plan, our advocacy work, and the many ways our students have been at the forefront of positive, real change both in their communities and in our democracy. Click here to […]
Nov082018Read More >Civic Dispositions and School Culture
The conflict between youth civic engagement and anti-democratic educational environments I tried to find a way to start this without invoking the midterm election and all of the reports of “apathetic” voters. I promise I did. But before you stop reading, this might not go where you think it’s going to. I offer a challenge: […]
Nov082018Read More >Drew Brees is a Populist
Stick with me and I’ll explain What’s going on??? Grover Cleveland has just been sworn in to his second term as the 24th President of the United States, of which there are only 44. It is the second time he has been elected, making Benjamin Harrison the answer to the trivia question, “who is the only […]
Nov082018Read More >Voter suppression by adults sends the wrong message to America’s young people
Why restricting participation at the polls might discourage emerging civic actors Voter suppression teaches children that adults are not serious about preserving democracy for the emerging generation of voters. When eligible individuals follow all the rules and still struggle to obtain access to the ballot box, it sends the wrong signal to the nation’s young people. […]
Nov082018Read More >NEW REPORT: Through an Action Civics Lens – Policy and Advocacy to Support Effective Civics Education Across the 50 states
Generation Citizen’s Policy and Advocacy Team is thrilled to be launching a report, “Through an Action Civics Lens: Policy and Advocacy to Support Effective Civics Education Across the 50 States” in tandem with our 2018-2019 Policy and Advocacy Agenda. You can find the Report here and the Agenda here. Generation Citizen’s (GC) founding mission is […]
Nov022018Read More >Lesson Plans for Teachers: NYC City Charter Revision Commissions!
Generation Citizen created this rapid response Lesson Package for teachers to implement in their 8th to 12th-grade classrooms in order to both ensure a more informed local population and engage young people in this important local political procedure. Over the next year, New Yorkers will have multiple opportunities to share their input and shape the […]
Nov022018Read More >Flip Your Ballot: GC Endorses All Three NYC Ballot Proposals
On Thursday, October 25, 2018, Generation Citizen New York City submitted public comments to the Campaign Finance Board endorsing the three ballot proposals on the November 6, 2018 ballot. Read on! GC NYC participated in the 2018 Charter Revision Commission process, including by testifying before the 2018 New York City Charter Revision Commission (Commission) about […]
Nov022018Read More >NYC Local Advisory Board Hype Man Performance
The Generation Citizen New York City’s Local Advisory Board is excited to invite you to a private evening of theater to benefit Generation Citizen at The Flea Theater on Monday, November 12th for the 7pm performance of Hype Man, followed by a wine reception and talk back with the cast. The play by Idris Goodwin […]
Sep202018Read More >We’re hiring a Bay Area Program Manager
Generation Citizen is Hiring a Bay Area Program Manager Generation Citizen (GC) is excited to announce that we are looking for an exceptional leader to join our team as the Bay Area Program Manager of our local “Democracy Coach” Action Civics model, which involves recruiting, training, and supporting college volunteer Democracy Coaches in effectively partnering […]
Aug132018Read More >GENERATION CITIZEN ANNOUNCES AIMEE SPRUNG AS MASSACHUSETTS BOARD CHAIR
Generation Citizen (GC) is excited to welcome Aimee Sprung as the new Chairperson of the Massachusetts Board of Directors. As Generation Citizen Massachusetts enters a phase of rapid opportunity and growth, we are thrilled for Aimee to lead our local site to help us engage exponentially more young people in Action Civics and support the next […]
Jul312018Read More >What We’re Reading | July 31st, 2018
Our favorite articles from recent weeks Every few weeks, GC picks out a selection of articles that are relevant to our work and to the civics education space as a whole. We at GC love to expand our learning in every aspect of what we do, and we hope you enjoy our selections! How […]
Jun182018Read More >Announcing the Hasbro Change Maker Award Recipients
This year, Generation Citizen and the Hasbro Children’s Fund collaborated to create the Hasbro Change Maker Award. Awards were given out in the form of mini-grants to fund and support student ideas on how they could make their communities a better place. Across five schools in Providence, RI and the surrounding areas, volunteers from Hasbro […]
Jun142018Read More >Generation Citizen NYC Executive Director, DeNora Getachew, Testimony to Joint Hearing of New York City Council’s Education and Youth Services Committees
Testimony delivered by DeNora Getachew, New York City Executive Director of Generation Citizen to Joint Hearing of the New York City Council’s Education and Youth Services Committees regarding Youth Civic Engagement Opportunities. Read on! Good Afternoon Members of the City Council’s Education and Youth Services Committees: My name is DeNora Getachew and I’m the […]
Jun142018Read More >GC Student, Samara Henry, Testifies at the New York City Council Executive Budget Hearing
On May 24th, 2018, Samara Henry, a student at the Bronx Academy of Letters, testified at the New York City Council Executive Budget Hearing. Here she explains the crucial role of Action Civics. Read on! Good afternoon. Thank you for the opportunity to testify at today’s hearing. My name is Samara Henry and I […]
Jun142018Read More >GC Student, Anyhara Garcia, Testifies to The New York City Council Education and Youth Services Committees
On June 13th, 2018, International High School of Health Sciences student Anyhara Garcia, submitted a public testimony to the New York City Education and Youth Services Committees. Here she explains the crucial role Action Civics has in effectively addressing New York City’s civic participation problem. Read on! Good afternoon. Thank you for the opportunity […]
May302018Read More >Civics Day: A Movement of Youth Civic Engagement Across the U.S.
Watch: “Youth voices are the key to change for the future.” Justice Paraiso-Caceres and GC Students Share Why Youth Voice Matters Generation Citizen students are leading in their communities by tackling head-on difficult issues that impact their everyday lives: pollution, bullying, gun violence, school funding and many more. At Civics Day, our end-of-semester showcase event, […]
May222018Read More >Ruba Tariq: I am the present and future of American Democracy
- Dec062018Read More >
Youth voter participation is not red or blue, it’s universal
I have the privilege of working with middle and high school students across the state of Oklahoma. As a civics educator, I find myself constantly noticing where young people show up. During the build-up to the 2018 midterm election, I saw students where I always do — at the mall, in their schools, at athletic […]
- Nov082018Read More >
Civic Dispositions and School Culture
The conflict between youth civic engagement and anti-democratic educational environments I tried to find a way to start this without invoking the midterm election and all of the reports of “apathetic” voters. I promise I did. But before you stop reading, this might not go where you think it’s going to. I offer a challenge: […]
- Nov082018Read More >
Drew Brees is a Populist
Stick with me and I’ll explain What’s going on??? Grover Cleveland has just been sworn in to his second term as the 24th President of the United States, of which there are only 44. It is the second time he has been elected, making Benjamin Harrison the answer to the trivia question, “who is the only […]
- Nov082018Read More >
Voter suppression by adults sends the wrong message to America’s young people
Why restricting participation at the polls might discourage emerging civic actors Voter suppression teaches children that adults are not serious about preserving democracy for the emerging generation of voters. When eligible individuals follow all the rules and still struggle to obtain access to the ballot box, it sends the wrong signal to the nation’s young people. […]
- Nov022018Read More >
Flip Your Ballot: GC Endorses All Three NYC Ballot Proposals
On Thursday, October 25, 2018, Generation Citizen New York City submitted public comments to the Campaign Finance Board endorsing the three ballot proposals on the November 6, 2018 ballot. Read on! GC NYC participated in the 2018 Charter Revision Commission process, including by testifying before the 2018 New York City Charter Revision Commission (Commission) about […]
May012018Read More >[podcast] Civics Disrupted: The Rise and Potential of Political Entrepreneurship
Rising to meet the many social and political challenges facing our democracy is a new breed of innovator and disruptor. Political Entrepreneurs are addressing some of democracy’s most pressing challenges by delivering fresh and innovative ideas, products, and services. On Wednesday, April 25th Generation Citizen, brought together a panel of diverse civic disruptors to explore […]
Apr182018Read More >Jury is More Than a Duty — It’s Civics in Action
Jury is More Than a Duty — It’s Civics in Action How jury duty is a microcosm of our democracy by Nora Howe, New York Senior Program Associate Everyone assured me that I wouldn’t be picked. Or groaned when I told them I’d been summoned. When I walked to Brooklyn Superior Court with dozens of other New Yorkers […]
Mar052018Read More >Young People Are Always at the Forefront of Political Change
Young People Are Always at the Forefront of Political Change Lessons for Generation Citizen from Parkland by Scott Warren On February 14th, when I heard there had been another school shooting, I admit that I was simultaneously devastated and defeated. Crushed that yet another shooting had occurred, but already completely succumbed to a reality that nothing […]
Mar022018Read More >Civics Education in the Classroom and Community
Civics Education in the Classroom and Community Civics education must happen in school, as well as other community-rooted institutions. By Andrew Wilkes, Director of Policy and Advocacy Civics education must happen in schools. But it can, and must, also happen in community centers, congregations, labor unions, and other membership-driven organizations. One way to define civics […]
Feb232018Read More >Our Students Respond to Parkland
A message from Julian and A’niya, Generation Citizen’s Student Leadership Board Members There are no words to atone for the tragedy of 17 youth lives lost within a school’s walls. But we wanted to offer you all our thoughts. On behalf of Generation Citizen and our Student Leadership Board, our hearts go out to the […]
Feb212018Read More >Resources for Educators Addressing the Parkland Shooting
Last week, amidst a terrible tragedy, we were reminded that schools are places that fundamentally foster hope. We at Generation Citizen have grieved along with the rest of the nation, both shocked and saddened to live in a country in which shootings at schools have become all too commonplace. But even in a time of pain […]
Feb122018Read More >Beyond Free Speech
Beyond Free Speech A Civic Sermon for Noisy Times By Molly Cohen, Rhode Island Program Manager In January, I traveled to Seattle for four days of training as an inaugural member of Citizen University’s Civic Seminary. The program brought together eleven civic leaders from across the country to learn the traditions of American civic religion and […]
Feb052018Read More >The Next NYC Schools Chancellor Must Address the City’s Stark Civic Engagement Gap
The Next NYC Schools Chancellor Must Address the City’s Stark Civic Engagement Gap by DeNora Getachew, New York City Executive Directorand Erin Garry, Assistant Principal at the Bronx Academy of Letters and member of Generation Citizen’s Local Advisory Board On January 14, 2017 the New York Times published an editorial “Some Bright Hopes for New […]
Dec042017Read More >Carrying Out My Grandpa’s Vision
Carrying Out My Grandpa’s Vision Finding inspiration through a presidential historian’s belief in the citizen By Scott Warren When I tell the origin story of my motivation behind founding Generation Citizen, I talk about growing up abroad as the son of a Foreign Service Officer. I observed democratic elections in Kenya, witnessed a coup in […]
Nov302017Read More >Can Introverts Be Advocates?
Can Introverts Be Advocates? Making space for quiet, reflective types in Action Civics By Caitlin Paul, Director of Programming, Bay Area These are the words that typically come to mind when we talk about great political change-makers, leaders who make their voices heard and accomplish great feats. And none are the words that come to mind […]
Nov072017Read More >A Cycle of Non-Participation: The Breakdown of Our Democracy
A Cycle of Non-Participation: The Breakdown of Our Democracy Our democracy is plagued with non-participation and a large civic engagement gap. What can be done? By Lena Bilik, Generation Citizen Advocacy Fellow It’s election day! And given recent voter turnout rates, it is highly likely you won’t be voting, especially if you are a young, low […]
Nov022017Read More >Taking Action on Gun Violence
Taking Action on Gun Violence: GC student reflects on how an effective civics education can make a difference and prevent issues within a community By Julian Viviescas, Generation Citizen Student Leadership Board member The incident that recently took place in Las Vegas which took over 55 lives still hurts the families of the victims, the city, and the […]
Oct262017Read More >Why Oklahoma?
Why Oklahoma? By Scott Warren, CEO For the first six years of Generation Citizen’s programming, all of our sites were located on the coasts: Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, and California. We realized though, that if we were serious about proving that Action Civics could work anywhere, we needed to expand to more diverse geographies. […]
- Nov082018Read More >
NEW REPORT: Through an Action Civics Lens – Policy and Advocacy to Support Effective Civics Education Across the 50 states
Generation Citizen’s Policy and Advocacy Team is thrilled to be launching a report, “Through an Action Civics Lens: Policy and Advocacy to Support Effective Civics Education Across the 50 States” in tandem with our 2018-2019 Policy and Advocacy Agenda. You can find the Report here and the Agenda here. Generation Citizen’s (GC) founding mission is […]
- Nov022018Read More >
NYC Local Advisory Board Hype Man Performance
The Generation Citizen New York City’s Local Advisory Board is excited to invite you to a private evening of theater to benefit Generation Citizen at The Flea Theater on Monday, November 12th for the 7pm performance of Hype Man, followed by a wine reception and talk back with the cast. The play by Idris Goodwin […]
- Aug132018Read More >
GENERATION CITIZEN ANNOUNCES AIMEE SPRUNG AS MASSACHUSETTS BOARD CHAIR
Generation Citizen (GC) is excited to welcome Aimee Sprung as the new Chairperson of the Massachusetts Board of Directors. As Generation Citizen Massachusetts enters a phase of rapid opportunity and growth, we are thrilled for Aimee to lead our local site to help us engage exponentially more young people in Action Civics and support the next […]
- Jun142018Read More >
GC Student, Samara Henry, Testifies at the New York City Council Executive Budget Hearing
On May 24th, 2018, Samara Henry, a student at the Bronx Academy of Letters, testified at the New York City Council Executive Budget Hearing. Here she explains the crucial role of Action Civics. Read on! Good afternoon. Thank you for the opportunity to testify at today’s hearing. My name is Samara Henry and I […]
- May302018Read More >
Civics Day: A Movement of Youth Civic Engagement Across the U.S.
Watch: “Youth voices are the key to change for the future.” Justice Paraiso-Caceres and GC Students Share Why Youth Voice Matters Generation Citizen students are leading in their communities by tackling head-on difficult issues that impact their everyday lives: pollution, bullying, gun violence, school funding and many more. At Civics Day, our end-of-semester showcase event, […]
Apr042018Read More >Generation Citizen Testimony to the New York City Council Education Committee
On March 23, 2018, Generation Citizen NYC Program Director, Brooke Wallace, submitted public testimony about the New York City Council’s Education Committee Budget and the importance of having Action Civics in the classroom. Here she explains the crucial role Action Civics has in effectively addressing New York City’s civic participation problem. Read on! Good Morning […]
Apr042018Read More >Emily Larcher Shares Public Testimony on the Importance of Action Civics Education
On March 23, 2018, Generation Citizen NYC alumna, Emily Larcher, submitted public testimony to the New York City Council’s Education Committee. Here she explains her experience in a Generation Citizen class and how it empowered her to use her voice and become civically engaged after Generation Citizen. Read on! Testimony by Emily Larcher Freshman at […]
Feb142018Read More >GC finds a new partner for civics education in NYC City Hall
Generation Citizen applauds Mayor de Blasio for prioritizing democracy reform, including civics education, in his State of the City speech tonight. Nationwide, political disillusion, disengagement, and illiteracy are rampant across all age demographics, especially in local politics. These challenges are especially pronounced among young people. Nationally, only 8 percent of 18–24-year-olds voted in the 2014 […]
Feb012018Read More >Action Civics Landscape
Generation Citizen, in partnership with The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE), has launched The Action Civics Landscape, a digital, interactive visualization of Action Civics and Action Civics-adjacent organizations. About the Map: Action Civics is defined by the National Action Civics Collaborative as “a student-centered, project-based […]
Jan182018Read More >Call for Papers: Re-Imagining a 21st Century Democracy
Re-Imagining a 21st Century Democracy is a pilot journal that will crowd-source ideas on how to improve democratic practice from a citizen-centric perspective. We are looking for new ideas on ways that communities can engage individuals in democracy and promote democratic behavior and values, whether through educational practices, grassroots mobilization, government initiatives, or other means (largely […]
Jan112018Read More >GENERATION CITIZEN ANNOUNCES ELECTION OF KUNAL MODI AS CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Generation Citizen (GC) is excited to announce that, as of January 1st, Kunal Modi is the new Chairperson of the National Board of Directors. As we enter into an ambitious three year strategic plan, we are thrilled that Kunal will help lead the organization to the next level as it seeks to transform the way […]
Jan082018Read More >TEACHER MEETUP SPRING 2018
CALLING ALL GENERATION CITIZEN EDUCATORS JOIN THE MEETUP AND FIND SUPPORT AND RESOURCES FOR TEACHING ACTION CIVICS THIS SEMESTER PURPOSE An Action Civics project can be challenging both for the students and the teacher. It requires a lot of planning and preparation by everyone involved and the implemented lessons and activities are often different than […]
Nov162017Read More >Generation Citizen Selected as Partner in National Effort to Strengthen Relationships Across Young People’s Lives
MINNEAPOLIS, MN (November 16, 2017)—Search Institute has selected Generation Citizen to be one of five national partners to co-create and test innovative ways to strengthen the relationships that young people in marginalized communities experience in their schools, programs, and families. Generation Citizen and the Massachusetts site will work with Search Institute to examine young people’s […]
Nov142017Read More >Generation Citizen 2017 Annual Report
We are excited to share our 2017 Annual Report. The report highlights key achievements from the past year, including our new three-year strategic plan, our advocacy work, and the many ways our students have gone Beyond the Ballot, turning political frustration into meaningful, passionate, sustained civic participation. Click here to read on.
Nov132017Read More >Launching Generation Citizen’s 2017–2018 Policy + Advocacy Agenda
Our vision for federal, state, and district policies that will bring Action Civics to every student Generation Citizen’s (GC) policy and advocacy agenda describes our approach to prioritizing Action Civics in federal, state, and district-level policies, laws, education standards, and programming. Our agenda is not intended to serve as a definitive statement to be applied in all communities. […]
Oct102017Read More >What’s This About A State Constitutional Convention?
A Lesson Package to Educate New York’s Voters Young & Old about This Rare Automatic Ballot Question In just under a month New Yorkers will have a once every 20 year opportunity to decide whether to call a constitutional convention to review our New York State constitution. Despite how little time remains before this rare […]
Sep292017Read More >Listening and Learning from Focus Groups this Spring
GC’s Impact on Students, Post-Programming At Generation Citizen, we’re in this for the long game. We know that a functioning democracy requires the sustained investment and engagement of its citizens, whether it be an emerging democracy, or one 250 years down the road of its citizen-led experiment. We know that the requisite habits of active […]
Sep132017Read More >Action Civics Across the Nation: Our Strategic Plan
When we founded Generation Citizen about eight years ago, the promise of the organization became apparent as soon as we entered classrooms. We immediately saw young people advocating for better public transit, tackling the opioid crisis before it became a national hot topic, grappling with police-community relations. We quickly saw the power of Action Civics. And the […]
- Jul312018Read More >
What We’re Reading | July 31st, 2018
Our favorite articles from recent weeks Every few weeks, GC picks out a selection of articles that are relevant to our work and to the civics education space as a whole. We at GC love to expand our learning in every aspect of what we do, and we hope you enjoy our selections! How […]
Mar192018Read More >What We’re Reading
Every few weeks, GC picks out a selection of articles that are relevant to our work and to the civics education space as a whole. We at GC love to expand our learning in every aspect of what we do, and we hope you enjoy our selections! The Power to Change the World: A Teaching […]
- Jan112018Read More >
What We’re Reading
Happy New Year! Every few weeks, GC picks out a selection of articles that are relevant to our work and to the civics education space as a whole. We at GC love to expand our learning in every aspect of what we do, and we hope you enjoy our selections! Teaching Civics in a Hyperpartisan Climate, Education […]
- Dec072017Read More >
What We’re Reading
Every few weeks, GC picks out a selection of articles that are relevant to our work and to the civics education space as a whole. We at GC love to expand our learning in every aspect of what we do, and we hope you enjoy our selections! Don’t Stop the Presses! When Local News Struggles, […]
- Nov222017Read More >
What We’re Reading
Every few weeks, GC picks out a selection of articles that are relevant to our work and to the civics education space as a whole. We at GC love to expand our learning in every aspect of what we do, and we hope you enjoy our selections! Think Students Won’t Consider Opposite Political Views? Here’s […]
- Nov022017Read More >
What We’re Reading
Every few weeks, GC picks out a selection of articles that are relevant to our work and to the civics education space as a whole. We at GC love to expand our learning in every aspect of what we do, and we hope you enjoy our selections! Should we worry that half of Americans trust […]
- Sep142017Read More >
What We’re Reading
Every few weeks, GC picks out a selection of articles that are relevant to our work and to the civics education space as a whole. We at GC love to expand our learning in every aspect of what we do, and we hope you enjoy our selections! If “Did Not Vote” Had Been A Candidate […]
- Aug162017Read More >
What We’re Reading
Every few weeks, GC picks out a selection of articles that are relevant to our work and to the civics education space as a whole. We at GC love to expand our learning in every aspect of what we do, and we hope you enjoy our selections! Put Me In Coach: Reworking Social Studies for […]
- Jul202017Read More >
What We’re Reading
Every few weeks, GC picks out a selection of articles that are relevant to our work and to the civics education space as a whole. We at GC love to expand our learning in every aspect of what we do, and we hope you enjoy our selections! What happens to local news when there is […]
- Jun272017Read More >
What We’re Reading
Every few weeks, GC picks out a selection of articles that are relevant to our work and to the civics education space as a whole. We at GC love to expand our learning in every aspect of what we do, and we hope you enjoy our selections! Youth turnout at UK general election highest in […]
- Jun092017Read More >
What We’re Reading
Every few weeks, GC picks out a selection of articles that are relevant to our work and to the civics education space as a whole. We at GC love to expand our learning in every aspect of what we do, and we hope you enjoy our selections! Teen’s election to Pearland school board turns heads, […]
- May112017Read More >
What We’re Reading
Every few weeks, GC picks out a selection of articles that are relevant to our work and to the civics education space as a whole. We at GC love to expand our learning in every aspect of what we do, and we hope you enjoy our selections! Building Effective Coalitions with Fair Fares Campaign Members, […]
- Apr202017Read More >
What We’re Reading
Every few weeks, GC picks out a selection of articles that are relevant to our work and to the civics education space as a whole. We at GC love to expand our learning in every aspect of what we do, and we hope you enjoy our selections! Factoring Schools into the Calculus of City Budgeting, […]
- Mar302017Read More >
What We’re Reading
Every few weeks, GC picks out a selection of articles that are relevant to our work and to the civics education space as a whole. We at GC love to expand our learning in every aspect of what we do, and we hope you enjoy our selections! Study: 60 Percent of Rural Millennials Lack […]
Mar092017Read More >What We’re Reading
Every few weeks, GC picks out a selection of articles that are relevant to our work and to the civics education space as a whole. We at GC love to expand our learning in every aspect of what we do, and we hope you enjoy our selections! A Great New Accidental Renaissance. The New […]
- Feb162017Read More >
What We’re Reading
Every other week, GC picks out a selection of articles that are relevant to our work and to the civics education space as a whole. We at GC love to expand our learning in every aspect of what we do, and we hope you enjoy our selections! The Snapchat Cohort gets into Politics, and […]
- Jan262017Read More >
What We’re Reading
Every other week, GC picks out a selection of articles that are relevant to our work and to the civic education space as a whole. We at GC love to expand our learning in every aspect of what we do, and we hope you enjoy our selections! 25 ways to be politically active (whether […]
- Jan132017Read More >
What We’re Reading
Every other week, GC picks out a selection of articles that are relevant to our work and to the civic education space as a whole. We at GC love to expand our learning in every aspect of what we do, and we hope you enjoy our selections! The Remedy for the Spread of Fake […]