A GWU Nashman Center and Emerson Collective Youth Collaborative (ECYC) Program
GW Civic Changemakers is a free summer program for middle school students in DC Public Schools. Over the course of five weeks during the summer, students will learn how to become changemakers and community problem-solvers. With the help of Civic Changemakers college student interns, middle school students will complete a project that has a positive impact on their community. While working on projects students will build their reading, writing, communication, math, and critical thinking skills. They will have the opportunity to talk with and hear from local leaders and participate in field trips designed to increase civic awareness. At the end of the five-week program, students will present their projects in a public presentation with parents, friends, and community leaders.
See photos from our most recent group of Civic Changemakers:
Project Examples:
Do You Feel Safe?
Students created a project to address school safety issues which included feeling unsafe in school and the surrounding community, a broken gate, and weapons seen on campus. They proposed two solutions: fixing the gate and holes in the fence and creating a neighborhood watch program. The students wrote letters to the mayor and their ANC representative to propose those changes.
Makayla and Kodi Stop Gun Violence
Students created a survey about gun violence for members of the community to respond to. They tweeted about their survey and received attention from their community leaders and were featured in the DC Line News. Forty-eight people responded to the survey. The survey results showed that people wanted safer gun legislation, restricted purchasing, gun training and education, responsible ownership, community support and grassroots projects, economic opportunities for young people, and mental health support for youth.
To learn more click here or contact us at [email protected].
