GBLN Civic Engagement for Latino Youth
According to a Pew Hispanic Center analysis of new data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Latinos accounted for half of the population growth in the United States between the elections of 2000 and 2004 but only one-tenth of the increase in the total votes cast.
The City of Bridgeport has an estimated population of 139,529, of which approximately 44, 478 are of Latino descent. Currently, only 39% of Hispanics in Bridgeport are registered to vote. Given this low registration rate, GBLN believes it is important to increase voter registration to empower the Latino community to become more involved not only in the voting process and understanding how the democratic system work, but also in civic engagement that will ultimately improve their quality of life.
Many Hispanic teens as well as adults do not believe that their vote makes a difference. It is GBLN’s hope and goal to show these youngsters otherwise.
The Civic Engagement for Latino Youth program is designed to provide both classroom style and experiential learning through skills improvement and awareness of significant community, social and public issues.
The Curriculum:
The Civic Engagement for Latino Youth curriculum provides fifteen (15) students with an in-depth look into the importance of community involvement.
The students receive a comprehensive look at the political process, starting with the basics such as what is the difference between a Democrat and a Republican and why people align themselves to a particular party. In addition, the program will show movies about Hispanic leaders follow by a discussion about the movie. Field trips have been incorporated into the program for the students to understand and learn from the people who are involved in politics or in social justice causes.
Topics covered in include:
- What you need to know to understand politics?
- What is advocacy and why is it important?
- The role of the Bridgeport Neighborhood Councils & why do they exist?
- Why voting is important and how one vote can make a difference?
- The rewarding aspects of volunteering in your community
- Who creates the state laws and how are they passed or vetoed?
- How people are appointed to serve on boards and commissions & why is it so expensive to run for office?
- How do our congressmen & senators represent us in Washington?
- Trip to the Legislative Office Building
- Community Project
At the end of the (10) week program, participants will receive certificates from GBLN as well as other acknowledgements from government officials.
The program runs over a 10-week period and meets once a week from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Central High School. There is no fee for the program and bus tokens for teens relying on public transportation will be provided to them.
Committee Members
Nancy Martinez-Langston
Eileen Lopez-Cordone
Maggie Boyce
Ruben Felipe
Elena Padin
Alma Maya
Rick Cruz
If you would like to sponsor this program, or participate as a committee member, please contact:
