GenerationNation is a nonprofit organization that aims to educate and engage K-12 students in Charlotte, North Carolina in civic education and leadership. It provides classroom resources, activities, and hands-on experiences tied to state standards to help over 100,000 local students build civic literacy and leadership skills. Programs include K-12 civic education lessons, civic engagement events, and leadership programs for teens to connect them with government and develop 21st century skills. The goal is to prepare today's students to become tomorrow's leaders and engaged community members.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Youth Council 2013-14 report
GenerationNation information
1. GenerationNation
Educating and engaging K‐12 students to lead
Charlotte’s champion
for K‐12 civic education and
youth civic leadership
Smart, fun and engaging activities tied to Common Core and other
educational goals connect the classroom with hands‐on experiences to help
K‐12 students build civic literacy and leadership from an early age.
Background
Over the next 3‐5 years,
GenerationNation will use
technology, strategic
partnerships & innovation to:
Expand Youth Voice Leadership
Alliance as a community youth
civic leadership council, regularly
and meaningfully engaging teens
in community problem‐
solving/decision‐making.
Engage 100% of civics students in
hands‐on civics and leadership
experiences, to support
achievement in graduation
requirements and build civic
literacy, interests and skills.
Help Charlotte‐area schools to
easily and actively integrate civic
literacy into grades K‐12 to
create a foundation for civic
learning and leadership.
Launched in 1992 by civic leaders, GenerationNation – until 2011, named
Kids Voting Mecklenburg – was initially an annual mock voting event.
During 2009‐2012, the 501c3 nonprofit organization created a new
programming model and brand to better meet the needs of students,
schools and the community 365 days a year.
Why does GenerationNation matter?
Today's students will one day become the leaders of our schools,
communities and nation. What, and how, they learn is critical to the vitality
of the Charlotte region and the 21st century economy. Through
GenerationNation, students prepare for college, career, and civic life.
Grow as confident citizens who can read and analyze information,
communicate, think critically, lead, collaborate, solve problems and
make decisions.
Build civic literacy, understanding how their governments and
communities work.
Gain essential knowledge for academic success including Civics &
Economics, a graduation requirement.
Develop lifelong civic leadership interests and skills.
Current impact
Increase educational
opportunities for K‐8 students
linked to government, leadership
and civic life.
Develop resources, raise
awareness and build capacity for
strategic growth within the
community and region, and
potentially N.C. and the U.S.
GenerationNation builds civic literacy and leadership from an early age.
K‐12 Education ‐ Educates K‐12 students about government, civics and
leadership. Programs impact 5,000 classrooms, through lessons and
activities tied to Common Core and NC standards for grades K‐12 to
support achievement in reading, writing, and social studies.
Civics in Action ‐ Directly engages over 100,000 Charlotte‐area K‐12
students in hands‐on experiences and annual events Candidate Forum
for Youth, Youth Leadership Summit and the Kids Voting mock election.
Youth Charlotte ‐ Builds tomorrow’s civic leaders and the next
workforce, connecting hundreds of teens with government, civic
leadership and 21st century skill development. Programs include Youth
Civic Leadership Alliance, Youth Civics and Youth Voice/Youth Press Corps.
www.GenerationNation.org
GenerationNation
@GenNation