Civic Engagement & Virtual Strategies for Change

Our civic engagement series will cover the importance of civic engagement, provide awareness and strategies for virtual and in-person engagement, and touch on the public health topics that relate.

EMBEDDED LINKS:
“Civic Engagement.” Civic Engagement | Youth.gov
https://youth.gov/youth-topics/civic-engagement-and-volunteering

Levine, Peter. “What Does Youth Civic Engagement Have to Do with Inequality?” William T. Grant Foundation, 15 Mar. 2018,
http://wtgrantfoundation.org/youth-civic-engagement-inequality

Mikva Challenge. “Home.” Mikva Challenge, 3 July 2019
https://mikvachallenge.org/

“Social Science & Civic Engagement.” Chicago Public Schools
https://cps.edu/Pages/socialsciencecivicengagement.aspx

“The Definition of Civic Engagement.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 7 July 2003
https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/ref/college/collegespecial2/coll_aascu_defi.html

“Ways to Engage During COVID-19.” Duke Office of Civic Engagement
https://civic.duke.edu/ways-to-engage-during-covid-19/

Gould, Jonathan, editor. Guardian of Democracy: The Civic Mission of Schools.
https://production-carnegie.s3.amazonaws.com/filer_public/ab/dd/abdda62e-6e84-47a4-a043-348d2f2085ae/ccny_grantee_2011_guardian.pdf

Transcript

1. CIVIC ENGAGEMENT UIC Urban Health Club & Virtual Strategies for Change
2. Objectives To understand the importance of civic engagement. To become aware of virtual civic engagement strategies.
3. WHAT IS CIVIC ENGAGEMENT?
4. Definitions Working and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values, and motivation to make a difference in the civic life of our communities. Civic engagement can promote quality of life in a community, through both political and non-political processes. Source: The Definition of Civic Engagement - New York Times 2003
5. Definitions A person that is civically engaged understands that they’re a member of a larger social fabric and considers social problems to be at least partly their own. They see the moral and civic dimensions of issues, to make and justify informed moral and civic judgments, and to take action when appropriate. Source: The Definition of Civic Engagement - New York Times 2003
6. Civic Engagement & Youth
7. The Four Constructs of Civic Engagement Source: Civic Engagement Youth.Gov
8. It’s Good for You • Being a civically engaged individual often means working on problems in one’s own community. • Experience builds skills and connections that are helpful for success in academics and employment. • Service Learning Projects and extracurriculars can promote civic engagement. Source: What does youth civic engagement have to do with inequality? William T Grant Foundation, Levine, Peter; 2018
9. Youth Bring Change • Young people are the ones who best understand their own contexts and can diagnose and address problems. • A youth perspective is often essential for constructive change. • Young adults active in organizations that serve the community and help kids have a huge positive impact. Source: What does youth civic engagement have to do with inequality? William T Grant Foundation, Levine, Peter; 2018
10. School-Based Civic Learning Opportunities Source: READY to Engage. Preparing the Next Generation to Participate in Civic and Community Life. An Implementation Plan for Chicago Public Schools. CPS Check if your school provides students these platforms; if not, make a case to request them.
11. Six Core Areas of Civic Engagement Source: READY to Engage. Preparing the Next Generation to Participate in Civic and Community Life. An Implementation Plan for Chicago Public Schools. CPS
12. Strategies to Build Student Civic Engagement Source: READY to Engage. Preparing the Next Generation to Participate in Civic and Community Life. An Implementation Plan for Chicago Public Schools. CPS
13. STRATEGIES FOR CHANGE Utilizing the Mikva Challenge Paths for Change
14. Raise Awareness • Help stakeholders* and the public better understand the issue. • Sharing key information on social media. • Get your message across to as many audiences as you are able to. * Individual or organization with an interest in a specific a project or concern Source: Mikva Challenge Paths for Change Mikva Challenge
15. Build a Coalition • Build your base by bringing together stakeholders who care about the issue. • Begin with people that you know that share your same interest in the matter. • Anyone that hears your voice and agrees can be an ally. Source: Mikva Challenge Paths for Change Mikva Challenge
16. Advocate • Work to change policy or systems. • Push for a law to be passed or for the involvement of a public official. • Engage through voting, social media campaigns, and consistently reaching out to representatives. Source: Mikva Challenge Paths for Change Mikva Challenge
17. CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IN TIMES OF A GLOBAL PANDEMIC
18. Virtual Civic Engagement
19. Digital Engagement Platforms Participate in digital engagement platforms. Virtual civic engagement platforms: Mikva Challenge Voto Latino Black Youth Project BYP100 United We Dream
20. Volunteer Opportunities Explore both virtual & in-person volunteering opportunities in your community. Source: Ways to Engage During COVID-19 Duke Office of Civic Engagement Virtual Volunteering In-person Volunteering • Mikva Challenge • Black Youth Project BYP100 • Check social media for more opportunities! • Deliver meals to community members • Community clean-ups with your local Alderman • Food pantries
21. Donate Give back to community organizations. Monetary Non-Monetary Donate to: • Community organizations • Food pantries • Non-profit organizations & charities • Give blood (if you can) • Donate groceries & basic household items to local food pantries Source: Ways to Engage During COVID-19 Duke Office of Civic Engagement
22. Support Support Your Favorite Organizations and Places • Order takeout or delivery from local restaurants; tip generously if possible. • Shop local and purchase gift cards for future use. • Shop minority-owned businesses. • Review your favorite local businesses online (Yelp reviews). Source: Ways to Engage During COVID-19 Duke Office of Civic Engagement
23. Connect Connect With the People That Matter Most • Call, email, or write letters to check on friends, family, and neighbors. • Share gratitude for medical professionals and service workers. • Connect with local community groups & networks. • Use social media to disseminate factual & educational information. Source: Ways to Engage During COVID-19 Duke Office of Civic Engagement
24. Learn Stay Informed • Keep up-to-date on public health & local policy issues. • Do your research & fact check - utilize reliable news sources. • Take time to learn about your community and issues that impact it. Source: Ways to Engage During COVID-19 Duke Office of Civic Engagement
25. Local Representatives Communicate with your local representatives • Contacting your representative(s) can be the first step to bring change in your community. • Visit the websites in following slides to find local* representatives and contact information. *City of Chicago and state of Illinois Source:https://www.illinoispolicy.org/maps/
26. Illinois Elected Officials Use THIS website to find your elected officials and contact information. https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/DistrictLocator/AddressFinder .aspx
27. City of Chicago Ward & Alderman Use THIS website to find your elected officials and contact information. https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/mayor/provdrs/your_ward_and_ald erman/svcs/find_my_alderman.html
28. Works Cited “Civic Engagement.” Civic Engagement | Youth.gov, youth.gov/youth-topics/civic-engagement-and-volunteering. Levine, Peter. “What Does Youth Civic Engagement Have to Do with Inequality?” William T. Grant Foundation, 15 Mar. 2018, wtgrantfoundation.org/youth-civic-engagement-inequality. Mikva Challenge. “Home.” Mikva Challenge, 3 July 2019, mikvachallenge.org/. “Social Science & Civic Engagement.” Chicago Public Schools, cps.edu/Pages/socialsciencecivicengagement.aspx. “The Definition of Civic Engagement.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 7 July 2003, archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/ref/college/collegespecial 2/coll_aascu_defi.html. “Ways to Engage During COVID-19.” Duke Office of Civic Engagement, civic.duke.edu/ways-to-engage-during-covid-19/. Gould, Jonathan, editor. Guardian of Democracy: The Civic Mission of Schools.
29. COVID-19 Resources Visit our Linktree for resource guides https://linktr.ee/UICUHC
30. Questions & Comments? uic.urbanhealthclub@gmail.com uic.urbanhealthclub