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 school and civic policy 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 and success into 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 professional development, 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 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.  With resulting stakeholder involvement, feedback, and support, the organization expanded the 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, leads North Carolina’s civic education initiatives, and is a national leader in K-12 civic education.

• 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 communities 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.
• Educator impact includes hands-on civic literacy programming, standards-based curriculum, and teacher professional development

GenerationNation serves more than 100,000 students a year in more than 250 schools. GenerationNation is continuing to expand programming and partnerships in the Charlotte region, across North Carolina, and nationally.