Newington Student Speaks at Connecticut's Civic Ambassadors Initiative Press Conference

CONNECTICUT’S CIVIC AMBASSADORS INITIATIVE INVITES THE STATE’S RESIDENTS TO LEAD AND TAKE PART IN COMMUNITY-BASED CIVIC DIALOGUE AND ACTION

HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT At a press conference, September 18, 2017 at the Connecticut Legislative Office Building in Hartford, Secretary of State, Denise Merrill and Everyday Democracy Executive Director, Martha McCoy launched the State’s Civic Ambassadors initiative as part of the Civic Health Project, now in its 6^th year.

Lukas Houle, a Senior at Newington High School, has experienced civic initiatives first hand, starting at school, then his job, then since March working as an intern for Secretary of State Denise Merrill. He serves as a liaison to the school Board of Education and was elected President of the Student Council among other accomplishments. He was a featured speaker offered his insights relating to the Civic Ambassador initiative.

Here are a few excerpts:

“There is absolutely nothing more important than being involved in your community... That being said this is a time when that principle seems to lack. There is a frustration today with ‘day to day’ politics and the status quo, that together breed a sense of hopelessness…People do not know where or how to evoke change and to some, change is frightening, out of reach, or impossible.
"The Civic Ambassador program provides people with the resources, at a grass roots level, to get involved. It eliminates the intimidating first steps every person must complete to try and evoke change by
giving them a leader who can point them in the direction of success.”
“I have learned one thing that isn’t a section in your textbook, but rather an experience learned through trial and error, attempt and failure; that change is daunting but, it is always possible. I believe in this program because it evens the playing field, it gives people the chance to bring about change.
“Malcolm Gladwell wrote a book called Outliers, it discusses success and how one obtains it. In it he finds notes that great lawyers were born in the 1930s, great computer engineers were born in the 1950s. This time will be the next chapter in that story of success, but for leaders. There are more causes, events, and changes to take part in than at any other time in history. The world is waiting for its people to give back, let us give them what they need to do it.”

In the Photo (l-r): Richard Frieder, Hartford Decides; Mary Fattouh, Bulkeley High School Senior; Valerianos Ramos, Everyday Democracy, Melissa Serano-Adorno, CT Parent Power; Martha McCoy, Everyday Democracy; Stephen Armstrong, State Department of Education, Lukas Houle, Newington High School, Secretary of State, Denise Merrill; UCONN Campus Dialogues Initiative, Dana Miranda.

The Civic Health Project began with the research and production of a Connecticut Civic Health Index in 2011 that was compiled by a 24-member Advisory Group, and was reissued in 2016. “This initiative is not just about studying the civic health in our state,” said Martha McCoy, “it’s about doing something about it.

Civic Ambassadors share the importance of civic education and engagement and are the catalysts for civic action that can lead to stronger civic health and REAL socioeconomic benefits, in terms of social capital and community well-being. The Civic Ambassadors Initiative is for Connecticut residents who want improvements in their community, who want stronger connections with elected officials in their communities and who wish they had more of a say in what happens in their city and state.

“Civic Ambassadors are the heroes,” said Secretary of State, Denise Merrill. “They are the ones connecting to their local communities to make things happen.”

Some of the ways Civic Ambassadors can spur civic progress in their communities is to form local dialogue sessions with representation from throughout each community. The goal is to come together across divides to solve tough problems. It is important to ensure that underrepresented groups are part of these dialogues, and those who may not have found their “voice” yet, are given a safe space to share their thoughts. Other ways Ambassadors may improve civic health may include encouraging volunteering and donating to community groups, improving voter registration and voting in elections, encouraging neighborhood social gatherings and connecting with public schools and other institutions in each community.

Already, many groups have been formed and are active in their communities. One example is Hartford Decides, organized by Richard Frieder, who is also a Senior Associate of Everyday Democracy. Hartford Decides connects with individuals who want to see positive changes in Hartford to engage in a participatory budgeting process for the city. A certain amount of the city’s budget is set aside so Hartford residents can actually vote for projects that mean the most to them. People age 13 and over can participate in identifying potential projects, and then Hartford residents select which will be funded. “This is a great way to engage youth in their communities,” said Frieder.

Other examples of groups already creating positive change include the University of Connecticut's Campus Dialogue Initiative, which gathers students in conversations about the Constitution, the Voting Rights Act and other important contributors of democracy. CT Parent Power is an organization based in Waterbury that focuses on equity for all students regardless of their differences. Melissa Serrano-Adorno of CT Parent Power says that trying to find equity for all four of her sons in the school system, including her autistic son, has turned her from a “momma bear” into a rock solid grizzly. And the State Department of Education’s Red, White and Blue Schools initiative is also spurring civic engagement.

“We would like to see every community in Connecticut represented,” said Martha McCoy of Everyday Democracy.

Don’t underestimate the power of the collective “we,” said Marilyn Calderon of CT Parent Power. “All we are asking for is one hour of your time each week to share your voice and get involved.”