About GenerationNation

GenerationNation develops a new generation of civic leaders. GenerationNation students build civic literacy, becoming civic leaders who:

• Know first-hand how their governments and communities work
• Understand the big issues connected to school and civic policy, budget, and decision-making
  
• Can find and are able to use good sources of news and civic information
• Build social capital, knowledge, experience, opportunity, and readiness for leadership, college, career, and civic life
  

Programs

GenerationNation programs combine K-12 education and real-life experiences that help to narrow civic learning gaps, and include Charlotte-Mecklenburg Youth Council, Youth Lead Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Student Advisor to the school board, Kids Lead, civics704, student mock election “Kids Voting”, K-12 civic literacy curriculum, teacher support, NC Civics Coalition, and other initiatives that build civic literacy and leadership from an early age.

History

GenerationNation is the only Charlotte-based organization providing this service to area K-12 students. Launched in 1992 by the Charlotte Observer, CMS, and other community stakeholders as a mock election event called Kids Voting, in the early 2000s our organization led local efforts for the NC Civic Index, and with resulting stakeholder feedback and support, our organization expanded our work to become GenerationNation in 2011-12.  GenerationNation now works year-round through expanded programming and deeper impact to educate and engage students in civic literacy and leadership.

Impact

GenerationNation is a recipient of the American Civic Innovation Award and a national leader in K-12 civic education. Charlotte-Mecklenburg annual impact includes:

• Over 200 diverse high school student leaders from 45+ high schools (includes 100% of CMS high schools) collaborate for 11,500+ hours of civic leadership, education, service, and social capital plus thousands of K-12 use the curriculum and get involved in civic learning experiences.
• 180 local schools served with hands-on civic literacy programming, standards-based curriculum, and teacher professional development
• As a result of their involvement, youth participants report they gain first-hand knowledge and experience about how the community works, develop skills for the future, expand personal networks and social capital to include adult community leaders and peers from different backgrounds, gain access to new experiences and opportunities, and play a role in transforming their schools and community for the better.
  
• Through GenerationNation, student leaders help adult leaders to make better policy and decisions while the student participants themselves build important knowledge, experience, and social capital for college access, professional interests and skills across every career pathway, improved economic mobility, and more

GenerationNation is continuing to expand programming outside of the Charlotte region through NC Civics Coalition and national partnerships.