“You can’t be silent on this. This is too important. Our democracy is very fragile, and we are right on the brink of losing it. Democracies don’t have a longevity history. But we have a chance to save this one now. And that means we have to speak out and we have to be active.”

           –former Governor Christine Todd Whitman at a forum last week. Read more. 

Youth Mental Health and Community Connection

Improving Human Thriving through Basic Income

Support Democracy this Giving Tuesday!

COVID-19 has aggravated the mental health problems of young people, with increased levels of suicide, anxiety and other issues. Clearly, these issues demand an “all hands on deck” approach, with steps that range from improved mental health screening and services to poverty reduction. One of the simple preventive measures is to enhance social relationships. Read more. 

Financial instability is a reality that many Americans must contend with every day. As the cost-of-living increases, it becomes harder for people to make ends meet when their income does not increase alongside costs. Fortunately, there are a plethora of programs that aim to lessen these financial burdens. The Denver Basic Income Project is one such program. Read more.

You can make a difference in how our country addresses critical issues by supporting the National Civic League this Giving Tuesday. This annual day of giving is on November 29, a day when you can amplify your giving towards groups like ours. Your donation is critical to helping create vibrant and healthy communities and a strong democracy. Learn more and give! 

Summit to Rethink Civic Engagement in Budgeting

Civic Engagement in American Climate Policy

Fall Review: Belonging, Local Journalism & More

The National Civic League is excited to be participating in GFOA's Rethinking Public Engagement Summit, which runs November 7-10, completely online. This summit brings together local government officials, civic technologists, and leading thinkers about public engagement from across the country. We’ll examine some of hottest topics around public engagement. Learn more. 

The report, Civic Engagement in American Climate Policy: Collaborative Models, makes the case for ambitious policy that builds upon the best models of engagement across multiple fields of innovation and considers how to build the civic and institutional capacity for resilient and just communities in face of the twin crises of climate and democracy. Read about this transformational yet practical route forward. 

This issue of the Review, published in collaboration with the Kettering Foundation, features: community belonging, local journalism experiments, the benefits of a community mediator, housing as a platform for early learning, a program to recognize health equity, the potential of regional charters, and a city that applied an equity lens to advertising staff openings. Access code NCL 22 to read.