Change Starts Here.

You don’t need experience to make your voice heard – you just need to care about your community.

Civic Engagement Means Participating
in Your Community to Create Positive Change.

When more women get involved and take civic actions like voting and volunteering, we move closer toward a society
that cares about equity, accountability, wellness and justice for women and their families.

Ways to Take Civic Action

Advocacy

You have the power to stand up and speak out for what we believe in. Figure out what issues you care about, and advocate for change!

Attend Meetings

From community boards, to tenant associations, there is room at the table for YOU to participate! Listen, learn, and make your voice heard.

Census

Be counted every 10 years! It will impact government funding, legislative districts, and the # of Congressional seats in New York.

Civic Education

By learning more about civics, systems of power, and government, you gain knowledge and skills to be a changemaker!

Contact Officials

Make your voice heard by contacting your elected officials and sharing issues you care about or concerns to be addressed.

Donate

One way to make a difference is by helping to fund a project, candidate, or organization you believe in.

Participatory Budgeting (PB)

Have an issue you care about? PB empowers people to recommend and vote for projects they want funded.

Mutual Aid

It’s neighbors helping neighbors to meet each other’s immediate needs (food, caregiving, rides, etc.) outside of formal institutions.

Organize

When people who share concern about a specific problem in their community work together to get results – change can happen!

Protest

Public protest is an important action individuals and groups can take to express views, raise attention to an issue, and create positive change.

Public Service

Make a career out of civic engagement. Getting a job in government can be a fulfilling way to serve your community and use your skills for good.

Run for Office

You can represent your community in government. One way to serve and influence policy is to run for office.

Serve on a Board

Join a board (nonprofit organization, PTA, etc.) to have your ideas heard and voice recognized in shaping change.

Sign Petitions

It’s a great way to make your position on an issue known when you are short on time but want to make a difference.

Testify

Lawmakers depend on public input for decision making. Express your views about issues you care about by giving testimony.

Volunteer

Volunteering is a way to offer your time and talents, build new skills, meet people, and lend a hand in your community.

Vote

Who we elect affects our lives and communities. Get out and vote for ballot proposals and candidates that represent your views.

Find your starting point.

Take our Quiz

Build Your Civic Engagement Knowledge and Skills

Dive into helpful guides and resources about: Civic Basics: Rights, Duties & Voting, Advocacy, Storytelling & Public Speaking, and Community Care.

New to civic engagement?

Get the Civic Starter Pack

Check out free events near you to jumpstart your civic journey!

See Upcoming Events

Ready, Set, Connect!

Want to tackle a specific problem? We’ll point you to the organizations and resources that can help.

Find NYC resources that can help you learn more and take action.

Information is at your fingertips. Check out and filter our resources to get exactly what you want, based on your interests and time constraints.

Resource Library

Connect with other NYC women who care about issues that matter to you.

In our Civic Matters community spaces, you can find other women who care about participation, events, issues and more. Build your network!

Join Our Community

Quick-Start Learning Guides

How to Find Your Civic Motivation

Civic Basics Starter Pack

Know Your Rights 101

Contacting Your Elected Officials