Mikva Challenge DC.

Modeled after the successful civic engagement programming

developed for youth in Chicago, Mikva DC began as a small pilot program, working with 200 students at four schools in 2014-15. Today, we are making a real citywide impact, reaching over 1500 local students at more than 30 schools across our city and have expanded our reach by 650% since our pilot year. Through our partnerships with classroom teachers, we integrate action civics into students’ classroom experiences, and provide opportunities for students to engage in real-life democratic experiences outside of the classroom, through our Student Voice, Elections in Action and Summer Fellowship programs.

Impacts in Washington, D.C.

  • 30+ school partners
  • 40+ teachers engaged
  • More than 1500 youth served
  • We have integrated Mikva’s signature curriculum into the core curriculum for DC Public Schools for both US Government and DC History courses, as well as 6th grade English Language Arts class. Through these curriculum integrations, EVERY 6th through 12th-grade student in DC Public Schools gets the chance to write and deliver our signature “Project Soapbox” speech.
  • Since our first year, 59 Summer Fellows have had meaningful summer internships with DC local elected officials, local government agencies, and policy organizations.
  • Every year, our Elections in Action program gives 30+ young people the opportunity to learn about and directly impact elections even before they are eligible to vote.
  • DC’s Citywide Student Voice Committee is composed of over 30 youth who have the chance to form crucial student-adult partnerships and use their expertise to help address the myriad of issues facing schools today.

Contact Mikva Challenge DC:

1100 15th St NW

Suite 400

Washington, DC 20005

 

Our DC Partners:

Because I learned about civic engagement during high school, I know how to go about dismantling processes that are inconsistent with my beliefs on justice. I can have a civil conversation with someone who has a completely different perspective and rally on the one area in which we share common ground.

Mikva DC alumnus Maya Branch

Programs

We support educators and young people across the country with engaging curriculum and programming that helps youth develop skills and removes barriers to be involved community leaders.

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Our Footprint

Mikva has two Chapters that serve as our model sites and innovation hubs. Our partner sites provide Mikva curricula, training, and strategic supports to school districts around the country.

Our Locations

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