Mikva Challenge

This week, we hosted the New Hampshire Youth Voice Summit. Around 70 passionate students from grades 7-12 are coming together at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics to dive deep into the issues they care about. After selecting topics and completing guided prep work, these young leaders will research, discuss, and present their ideas directly to elected representatives, government officials, and community decision-makers. Our democracy grows stronger when young voices are heard, and we’re proud to provide opportunities for them to practice and shape the future of our communities. Let’s listen, learn, and support the next generation of changemakers.

Today, more than 1,900 Chicago high school students from more than 100 schools will serve as election judges, helping make Election Day a success. With the support of Mikva Challenge and the Chicago Board of Elections, these young leaders are gaining a hands-on experience in civic engagement while assisting voters at polling locations across the city. Youth voices are essential to a healthy democracy. Research from CIRCLE shows young people involved in civic duties are more likely to become lifelong voters and inspire family members to vote. In fact, 98% of past student judges said they intend to vote, with 94% committing to encouraging friends and family to do the same. #YouthVoice #DemocracyIsAVerb #MikvaChallenge

Over the weekend, Mikva Challenge partnered with the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council for a successful canvassing event as part of the New Americans Democracy Project! Our community volunteers and youth leaders hit the streets to mobilize immigrant voters, sharing important information about the candidates and issues on the ballot. This event showcases Mikva’s ongoing commitment to empowering new voters and ensuring their voices are heard in this pivotal election season. We’re proud to see young leaders in action, strengthening democracy one conversation at a time! #MikvaChallenge #YouthEngagement #CivicLeadership #Vote2024 #DemocracyInAction

Thank you to all who joined us yesterday for the Citywide Parade to the Polls, empowering students to take part in the electoral process. In collaboration with Vaughn Occupational High School, this non-partisan initiative gave students with cognitive, developmental, and multiple disabilities the opportunity to reflect on their values, research the issues on their ballot, and cast their votes with pride. This event highlights our commitment to Action Civics, helping young people learn by doing. Students followed the path laid out in our Elections in Action curriculum, which encourages them to explore their political beliefs, meet candidates, and actively engage in democracy. We are so proud to see these students make their voices heard! Check out this coverage of the event: https://lnkd.in/e9jbHn7s Chicago Bulls, Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD), City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College, League of Women Voters of Illinois, Pizza to the Polls, Access Living, CPS Office for Students with Disabilities #DemocracyIsAVerb #MikvaChallenge #CivicEngagement #YouthVote #Election2024

Mikva Challenge’s CPS Student Advisory Council hosted an incredible Youth-Led Candidate Forum on Tuesday! Students asked thoughtful, hard-hitting questions on topics like mental health services, equitable school funding, whole school safety, and how candidates plan to incorporate student and Local School Council voices into their decisions. With 16 candidates present and a full house of nearly 150 community members, it was an empowering evening of youth civic engagement! If you’re unfamiliar with the elected school board at CPS, check out these resources to learn more: School Board Elections 2024 from Chalkbeat, Block Club Chicago, Chicago Sun-Times, and WBEZ: https://lnkd.in/gnKJWMR3 Q&A and overview documents to dive deeper into what the elected school board means for CPS: https://lnkd.in/gnKJWMR3 Big thanks to everyone who joined us, and a special shout out to the students for leading the charge in shaping the future of education in Chicago! #YouthVoice #MikvaChallenge #CivicEngagement #StudentLeaders #DemocracyIsAVerb #Election2024

Mikva Challenge believes the best way to learn civics is to “do civics.” As part of our Action Civics approach, we provide students with hands-on opportunities to take action during the election season, bringing the electoral process to life. Today, in collaboration with Vaughn Occupational High School, Mikva is leading the non-partisan Citywide Parade to the Polls. This initiative empowers students with cognitive, developmental, and multiple disabilities to reflect on their values, research the issues on their ballot, register to vote, and proudly cast their vote. This initiative directly connects to our Elections in Action curriculum, which helps students explore their political values, meet candidates, and actively participate in elections. We are proud to see these students take action and celebrate their civic voices! Chicago Bulls, City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College, League of Women Voters of Chicago, Pizza to the Polls, Access Living, Chicago Public Schools #DemocracyIsAVerb #MikvaChallenge #CivicEngagement #YouthVote #Election2024

Join us tomorrow at the Mikva Youth-Led Candidate Forum! ? We’re excited to invite you to the Elected School Board Youth-Led Candidate Forum tomorrow at Harold Washington Library in Chicago from 5:00-6:30 pm. What to Expect: ? Youth-led voter registration on site? ? More than 200 students, parents, and community members already RSVP’d ? Candidates will present their platforms to an engaged audience just as city-wide early voting kicks off? ? Translation available for attendees Haven’t RSVP’d yet? RSVP here:?https://lnkd.in/gjGTFHeQ Don’t miss the chance to be part of this exciting, youth-driven event. See you there! #MikvaChallenge #YouthEngagement #CandidateForum #CivicLeadership #Vote2024 #DemocracyInAction

Welcome to our newest Mikva Challenge leaders! We are thrilled to introduce Siobhan Hunter our new Chief Advancement Officer (CAO), and Aprill B., our new Chief Program Officer (CPO). Both bring immense passion and experience to our mission of empowering youth and fostering civic engagement. Siobhan Hunter is a seasoned development leader with 13 years of experience in education, fundraising, and organizational strategy, having led at Braven and Teach For America as Vice President of Development. A Chicago native, Siobhan holds an MBA and an MA in Arts Administration, and serves on the DePauw University Alumni Association Board of Directors. Her leadership will be vital in strengthening our connections and growing our resources to support the next generation of civic leaders. Aprill Buckner joins us with more than 16 years of experience in program development, DEIB practices, and workforce development, including her role as Site Director for Year Up United-Chicago. Her commitment to access and opportunity for historically marginalized communities aligns perfectly with Mikva’s vision. Aprill lives by the motto: “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room on earth” – Muhammad Ali. Help us give a warm welcome to Siobhan and Aprill as they step into these pivotal roles! We can’t wait to see their impact on the future of youth civic engagement. #LeadershipInAction #MikvaChallenge #YouthEmpowerment #CivicEngagement #NonprofitLeaders

Congratulations to Mikva Challenge board members Farissa Knox and Kelwin Harris for being recognized as Notable Black Leaders 2024 by Crain’s Chicago Business! Their dedication to empowering youth and shaping the future of civic engagement is truly inspiring. Both Farissa and Kelwin have been instrumental in helping Mikva Challenge make democracy a verb by supporting our mission to elevate youth voices and create real, lasting change in our communities. We are proud to have such incredible leaders as part of our team, and we look forward to continuing our work together to build a more just and equitable future. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/dUPs_YG7

We are incredibly proud of Mikva Challenge youth Sanaa Fedrick, Eddie Bautista, and teacher Kelly Fischer for sharing their powerful insights on why youth involvement in civics and the electoral process matters during the recent WTTW/Chicago PBS virtual panel “Chicago Voices: Youth and Civic Engagement.” Moderated by Chicago Tonight’s Joanna Hernandez, this conversation highlighted how young leaders are making real, lasting change in their communities. If you missed it, be sure to check out the recording and hear how these voices are helping make democracy a verb! Watch the panel replay here: https://lnkd.in/efAKGYGK #YouthVoices #CivicEngagement #DemocracyIsAVerb #MikvaChallenge #ChicagoYouth #ActionCivics