Meeting the Moment: Civic Education and Advocacy

Generocity’s first Community Newsroom of 2025 was hosted in partnership with the Committee of Seventy, gathering civic leaders, community members, and nonprofit professionals dedicated to advancing civic education, advocacy, and engagement. The event provided a platform for meaningful dialogue on critical issues such as immigration, education, voting rights, and community organizing, while also inviting attendees to share their personal stories of advocacy and impact.

The evening began with a panel discussion titled “Meeting This Moment – Civic Education and Advocacy,” featuring four dynamic leaders: Lauren Cristela, President and CEO of the Committee of Seventy; Manuel Portillo, Director of Community Engagement at The Welcoming Center; Shanee Gardner, Executive Director of Lift Every Voice Philly; and Cynthia Santiago of the Philadelphia Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity. Each panelist shared their organization’s approach to civic engagement and the strategies they employ to empower communities during this pivotal time.

Cristela highlighted the Committee of Seventy’s dual focus on immediate voter education and long-term civic education. She described initiatives like “We Vote”, which partners with over 215 organizations across Pennsylvania to promote voter engagement, and programs targeting younger citizens to instill foundational civic values. Portillo discussed the challenges faced by immigrants in Philadelphia, including language barriers and systemic distrust, and emphasized The Welcoming Center’s efforts to build social capital through programs like the Immigrant Leadership Institute. Gardner shared how Lift Every Voice Philly organizes parents—particularly mothers—to advocate for systemic changes in schools, such as securing school nurses and addressing dehumanizing practices like silent lunches. Santiago underscored the importance of educating communities about primary elections as a way to hold elected officials accountable and drive change.

Throughout the discussion, panelists explored how systemic barriers often discourage civic participation. Gardner emphasized the need to shift away from deficit-based models that blame individuals for disengagement and instead focus on dismantling systems that make people feel unwelcome or powerless. Portillo echoed this sentiment by advocating for narratives that honor immigrants’ contributions rather than criminalizing them—a strategy he believes is key to combating fear and division.

The audience had opportunities to engage with the panelists directly during a Q&A session. Questions ranged from how to amplify advocacy stories beyond peer groups to how community leaders can approach new audiences authentically. Panelists encouraged attendees to start small—by connecting with neighbors or local organizations—and to share their personal stories as a way to inspire others and challenge harmful narratives.

One particularly poignant moment came when Gardner shared her own story of growing up in West Philadelphia and experiencing stark inequities in education firsthand. Her realization of these disparities fueled her commitment to ensuring that dignity and opportunity are not reserved for the lucky few but are extended to all children.

The event concluded with an invitation for attendees to step into an activation booth to share their own stories of advocacy. This interactive element underscored the event’s central theme: that every voice matters in shaping a more equitable future.

Generocity’s March Community Newsroom was not just an evening of conversation—it was a call to action. By fostering connections among advocates, amplifying community voices, and providing actionable strategies for engagement, the event exemplified Generocity’s commitment to driving meaningful change in Philadelphia’s communities. Attendees left inspired to take tangible steps toward advocacy, whether through voting in primary elections, organizing around local issues, or simply sharing their stories with others.