Brought to you by the RI Council for the Humanities, a special episode of the Voices of Homelessness podcast.
Rhode Island Council for the Humanities
The XIX: Shall Not Be Denied: Why It Matters Initiative was designed to support projects serving Rhode Island communities facing historic and current barriers to democratic participation including refugee & immigrant, youth, African American, trans & gender-diverse, and homeless & housing insecure populations. The initiative extended the partnership between the Council and the Rhode Island Department of State focused on providing voters with historical context and opportunities to engage with state leaders. This ongoing partnership included co-sponsoring a virtual panel discussion and bilingual traveling exhibit to catalyze voter engagement.
In addition to the video content below, XIX: Shall Not Be Denied supported the following programs:
Refugee Dream Center: Your Voice, Your Vote
Your Voice, Your Vote was a four-week virtual and paper-based series for first-time refugee and asylee voters which includes information about democratic participation, voter registration, election types, and a ballot breakdown. Materials simplify voting in the United States, answer questions about the voting process, and debunk myths around voting eligibility as well as increase the number of registered voters among the refugee and asylee community. Visit the Refugee Dream Center website at: www.refugeedreamcenter.org/community-engagement/.
Providence Community Library, What Now: Empowering Youth with Passion to Action
What Now: Empowering Youth with Passion to Action included three virtual public panels for Rhode Island high school-aged students that educated and inspired them to become democratically active citizens. The panels featured local freshmen legislators and speakers from RI-based youth-led organizations that have engaged local youth in social action-based movements discussing health equity, climate justice, and education reform.
Dorcas International, Welcoming Rhode Island
Welcoming Rhode Island developed civic engagement lessons and activities in the adult education curriculum, as well as voter registration. The goal of this project was to increase RI immigrants’ individual civic participation and engagement. Dorcas International has worked to empower refugees and immigrants for nearly 100 years.
We, They, and the People: Korematsu v. United States
WE, THEY AND THE PEOPLE is a Mixed Magic Theatre civic engagement series that explores and dramatizes Supreme Court cases that have had a significant impact on the lives...
We, They, and the People: Tennessee v. Garner
WE, THEY AND THE PEOPLE is a Mixed Magic Theatre Civic Engagement Series that explores and dramatizes Supreme Court cases that have had a significant impact on the lives...
We, They, and the People: Shelby v. Holder
WE, THEY AND THE PEOPLE is a Mixed Magic Theatre Civic Engagement Series that explores and dramatizes Supreme Court cases that have had a significant impact on the lives...
Why It Matters – Innovative Ways to Encourage Civic and Electoral Participation
Why it Matters: Innovative Ways to Encourage Civic and Electoral Participation is a virtual discussion with Rev. Justin R. Lester of the Congdon Street Baptist Church...