We know better decisions are made when all voices are heard. We clear a path for young people to use their voices and discover a passion for serving their communities.

Our Mission

at Mikva Challenge is to develop youth to be empowered, informed, and active citizens who will promote a just and equitable society.

Our Vision

at Mikva Challenge is envisioning a stronger, inclusive democracy that values youth voice.

Our Values

Youth Voice

• We value the perspectives and input of young people in the decisions that affect them.
• We are committed to elevating youth voice and decision-making power.
• Young people possess expertise about the issues that affect them, their communities and schools.

Civic Education

• We believe Democracy is a Verb: we teach and learn democracy by doing democracy.
• We strive to inspire informed, respectful, inclusive and engaged participation in civic life by modeling it ourselves.
• We believe that being educated about and engaged in the civic life of our communities is necessary and transformative.

Community

• We recognize that our work is human and requires us to explore our identities and cultures with humility and vulnerability.
• We believe community engagement is core to a thriving democracy, and that change happens best through communities coming together for a common goal.
• We strive to build a welcoming community that fosters belonging and understanding.

Equitable Inclusion

• We believe in shared power and that the perspectives of those impacted by decisions must be meaningfully considered.
• We value individuals’ lived experiences as expertise.
• We name and recognize how systemic inequities have affected communities of color and historically marginalized and oppressed groups so we can intentionally imbue our daily decision making with equity.
• We recognize that there is still work be done to build a fully representative, equitable, and inclusive democracy

Reflection & Growth

• We name and reflect on both the intent and impact of our words and actions in order to continuously grow.
• We continuously examine how power, privilege, and systems of oppression operate and impact ourselves, each other, and our work.
• We strive for excellence, not perfection.
• We respect vulnerability and encourage the ongoing process of discovering our own self- and collective awareness