Program
Civic Engagement & Community Leadership
From having opinions to understanding systems and shaping decisions.
Canvas helps young people understand that their voice matters. Through community conversations, youth leadership activities, public issue discussions, and civic education, participants learn how to identify challenges, express their ideas, and take meaningful action.
Why this program matters
Young people are often asked for their opinions but rarely given pathways to act on them. Civic education paired with real participation — like the NYC Civic Engagement Commission's People's Money training — turns youth voice into youth leadership.
What sessions include
- Civic Engagement 101 workshops
- Youth voice and leadership circles
- Community issue mapping
- Public speaking and storytelling
- Participatory budgeting education
- Student-led solutions and action projects
What participants and partners can expect
- Young people understand and engage public systems
- Student-led action projects with real outcomes
- Authentic youth voice in community decisions
Best fit for
- Schools and youth councils
- Government agencies
- Community groups
- Youth leadership programs
Delivery formats
- Workshop series
- Youth advisory cohorts
- Public convenings
- School & community partnerships
Ready to talk?
Canvas can provide a one-time workshop, multi-session series, or a customized partnership.
Request a Civic Engagement WorkshopStories from this work
All impact storiesPort Richmond High School
Civic engagement & recognition
Students received a $500 check from Island Voice for their participation in the NYC Civic Engagement Commission's People's Money training, then practiced gratitude and goal-setting journaling for the year ahead.
Multi-session series · high school
YouthBuild Staten Island
Defining commUNITY
Every participant engaged — proposing solutions around healthcare, safety, housing, and restorative rather than punitive justice, with 100% youth participation reported.
Multi-session series · young adults
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Bring this program to your school, agency, or community.
Tell us your goals — we'll design the right engagement together.