A NEW Youth Civic Education Initiative and Annual Awards Program!

As part of CityClub’s 30th Anniversary, we're shining a spotlight on great youth civic education programs and highlighting the diversity of those programs and projects in Washington State. Why? We believe we need to train our youth to be active citizens in our democracy.

Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, CityClub, individual donors, and AT&T, the Civic Education initiative will: reward excellence in existing civic education programs, increase the visibility of civic education renewal, build a statewide network of practitioners and resources, and develop a model program that can be replicated in other places.

The first program within our Civic Education initiative is the launching of the Youth Civic Education Awards. Nominations for the Youth Civic Education Awards are being accepted now and the deadline for application is September 18, 2012. 

Five winners will be selected annually at a fall awards program and will be highlighted in a variety of ways including a website, awards program, press release and participation in the 2013 Guiding Lights Weekend. Winners will receive a cash prize of $500.

Who’s eligible to apply?

Any project or program for middle and/or high school-aged students that:

• Teaches civic knowledge like democratic decision-making
• Helps youth learn civic skills like listening, collaborating or public speaking, or civic values like support for the common good and the importance of participating in the political process
• Provides youth with hands-on civic experience to practice participation and community-building

Eligible programs or projects could be student debate teams, service learning opportunities, media literacy projects, moot courts, or any other programs that mentor youth to understand how to use their voices, hearts and hands to better themselves and their communities.  To apply, visit www.SeattleCityClub.org or email us at youthawards@SeattleCityClub.org or call us at (206) 682-7395.

Blue Ribbon Committee for the Youth Civic Education Awards: 

● The Honorable Gary Alexander (retired, Washington State Supreme Court)

● Toby Crittenden (Executive Director, Washington Bus)

● Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, (Executive Director, MomsRising.org)

● Margaret Fischer (Seattle University Law Professor)

● Eric Liu (Founder, Guiding Lights Network)

● Ted McConnell (Executive Director, Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools)

● Walter Parker (Professor, Curriculum & Instruction, University of Washington)

● The Honorable Norm Rice (former Seattle Mayor and President and CEO of The Seattle Foundation)

● The Honorable Marilyn Strickland (Mayor of Tacoma)

● Bob Watt (Community Leader)