Civic Empowerment

Civic Empowerment has always been a major goal of KAT. One way to help youngsters understand their own civic potential is with exercises that help them identify and build upon their strengths and interests.

These lessons project a positive, hopeful 'attitude.' They encourage youngsters to characterize themselves in the ways they strive to be. This demonstrates that they need not be "stuck" with labels or self doubt, but that they can develop and improve their own skills, and by extrapolation improve their environment.

The second lesson focuses on assets in the local community. Although we often look at specific needs and deficits we want to address, we should also identify the resources and partners whose contributions and voices we can draw upon in this quest.

Both lessons are vital pieces of preparation for a KAT project. They are ways to assess the terrain and collect social capital. Students who can mobilize such assets will then be equipped to target them to productive civic action.

Remember to use these assets when you work on your KAT project.

The Centerfold Lesson

KAT CHALLENGE: Create Civic Capital

Use the social capital generated by reactions to September 11 to create civic capital.

Select a local issue from prior to that even that remains a problem in your community;
conduct serious research on it:
plan, and then advertise or enact your solution.

Use the emotional energy and creative resources you were able to tap because of the crisis to help you improve life in your local community!

Write up each step for our website.

More Lesson Plans

Kids Around Town
LWVPA-CEF
226 Forster Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
717-234-1576
or in PA 800-692-7281
annrappoport@comcast.net

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