Our experience shows the most effective way to teach civic participation and advocacy is through action. We’ve developed interactive learning experiences that put young people in the driver’s seat of real-world advocacy. In partnership with the Hispanic Alliance Student DREAMers Program , we designed a hands-on simulation where students advocated for a new soccer field hoping to bring the state championships to their town. Working in teams, students: Defined roles - who leads, strategizes, documents, who presents Crafted their “why” - why this matter beyond soccer Leveraged advocacy tools - using resources like social media, local businesses, and funding Pitched their plan - how to win over the community and Town Council By tackling a real-world challenge, students built leadership skills, gained confidence, and learned how to navigate power structures. Whether fighting for a soccer field, school policy, or human rights, they walked away with the tools to organize, advocate, and create real change.
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Be The Ones was one of 13 organizations selected for the Center for Artistic Activism’s Unstoppable Voters 4x4 Program , a four-week experiment testing bold, creative ideas that could boost excitement, access, and safety in civic participation. In partnership with Public Wise and Fair Count , we tackled a critical challenge:
How can we make voter outreach safer for canvassers, especially in high-risk areas?
Our solution: Canvasser Waze , a real-time reporting tool helping local organizers track & share safety concerns, flag hostile locations, and identify local businesses that could serve as “safe spaces.” The crowdsourced map also featured audio messages from trusted local voices and gamified features to make participation interactive and fun. Piloted in NC, SC, MS, and GA, Canvasser Waze reached 200+ households and 35 businesses, collecting critical data on voter outreach safety. This project exposed real risks and laid the groundwork for future innovations in civic tech and voter protection. By integrating insights from this pilot, we can refine and scale tools that empower canvassers to mobilize their communities safely and effectively.
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