Show Up for What!?

Show Up For What provides the next generation of young leaders with the identity, knowledge and agency to become a force for change — both in and out of the voting booth.

#Civic Engagement #Education

A collage showcasing diverse individuals engaged in community service and leadership activities. Scenes include a person addressing an audience, participants brainstorming on a poster, and two individuals discussing with microphones, emphasizing civic engagement and volunteer opportunities.

When the pandemic hit, we showed up for our communities. When we saw the humanitarian crises facing so many around the world, we showed up on our college campuses. When the time comes to flex our civic muscles, we show up to ensure that our common challenges are addressed at the voting booth and beyond.

This generation is Showing Up for:

What Are You Showing Up For?

Learn how to show up for your community and make a difference.

Join our civic engagement programs and events. Get resources to keep you engaged with your community. Share your vision for a better future and make an impact!

We’ll be your coach, champion and connector along the way.

Take Action

A suite of actions curated for you to discover your civic voice, or further tap into civic engagement.

Voter Catalyst Network

Join the Voter Catalyst Network (VCN) and help mobilize and register voters in your community. By being a civically active citizen, you’ll inspire others to show up at their polling sites!

ACTION

An individual is placing a vote-by-mail ballot into a community mailbox, promoting civic engagement and participation. This image illustrates the importance of voting and community involvement in democratic processes.

Be Vote Ready!

Our votes have the collective power to decide the future of the country we want to see. Make YOUR VOICE heard! Verify your voter registration status and pledge to vote in the upcoming election. Not registered? No problem: it only takes two minutes!

A diverse group of individuals engaged in a discussion about community service and volunteer opportunities, showcasing expressions of enthusiasm and thoughtfulness. The colorful background enhances the vibrancy of civic learning and leadership programming.

Soundoff! Storybooth

Share a story about what matters to you and your community. Ensure that your voice is heard by decision makers.

ACTION

Diverse hands raised in unity, each displaying a sticker that says 'VOTE,' symbolizing civic engagement and participation in democracy. The image highlights the importance of volunteer opportunities and community leadership in promoting active citizenship.

Power the Polls

Do your part to ensure safe, free, and fair elections for all voters.

ACTION

Two individuals participating in a voting process, with one focused on casting a ballot at a voting booth adorned with an American flag. This image highlights civic engagement and the importance of community involvement in democratic processes.

Support Civic Education

Advocate for Civic Education related legislation, or draft your own message to lawmakers.

ACTION

Find Your Civic Identity

Take our quiz to see how your unique leadership style can support civic engagement and voter turnout.

QUIZ

Midterms 2026

The 2026 midterms are Gen Z's chance to turn their voice into power. Register. Vote. Lead.

Everything You Need to Know About the Midterm Elections

What are midterms, why do they matter, and what exactly you should expect.

The VCN Toolkit

This collection of resources can help you expand your civic knowledge and access other tools to help you take action for a better tomorrow.

The VCN GOTV Guide

A guide to help support your voter registration drive in your community.

Showing Up

The power of civic participation on display

The NextGen Changemakers Summit

The Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, together with DoSomething and Generation Citizen, hosted the NextGen Changemakers Summit, an all-day event where creative and civically-minded teens joined us to channel their artistic talents toward advocacy and community building.

A lively community gathering focused on youth voter engagement, featuring diverse participants actively involved in discussions and activities at tables. The atmosphere is vibrant, with colorful decorations indicating a civic learning event aimed at encouraging community service and leadership.

Show Up For What!? Voter Engagement

DoSomething hosted a Show Up For What!? youth voter engagement event in the Bronx, where young changemakers gather to discuss civic participation, voter registration, and the impact of youth voices in democracy.

A diverse group of individuals engaged in a community service event at a table, focusing on activities while a presentation is displayed on a screen in the background. The setting highlights civic engagement and collaborative learning opportunities.

Election Night Recap

With the shared interest of participating in our democracy, DoSomething invited members to our NYC headquarters to unite and celebrate the power of our voices!

A diverse group of young individuals engaged in a discussion around a table, focused on community service and civic leadership topics. The setting highlights the importance of volunteer opportunities and collaborative learning.

A Citizen's Guide to Preserving Democracy | PBS

Featuring interviews with DoSomething members about becoming engaged citizens, and DoSomething leaders about their work in strengthening democracy.

A smiling individual wearing a black cardigan with a badge stands in front of a bulletin board, signaling peace with both hands. This image promotes volunteer and community service opportunities and civic engagement programs.

Youth Action Forum at The Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball School

DoSomething hosted a Civic Storytelling event at The Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball School in 2024, featuring youth-led discussions and activities.

A community volunteer stands engaged with individuals at a gathering, fostering connections and learning opportunities. The vibrant event showcases civic engagement and leadership through collaborative activities.

Gen Z Changemakers Summit at Lincoln Center

DoSomething.org, Generation Citizen, and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts came together to welcome civically minded and creative teens to an all-day program of workshops and collaboration. Young musicians, poets, filmmakers—and all-around creatives—took center stage in strengthening their civic voices through the arts.

Soundoff! Storybooth

In 2023, thousands of young people in New York City came together to Show Up For What they care about. Gen Z and Gen Alpha really leaned into their civic voice and shared hundreds of stories with us through something we like to call our Soundoff! Story Booth Series.

In 2024, the series expanded nationwide!

Now, we’re calling on Gen Z to help build a National Youth Agenda. Our goal is to show elected officials this generation’s vision for a better and fairer world

The National Youth Agenda

Share Your Story Here

Hundreds of you have already shared your stories. Here’s what we’ve heard so far!

A close-up of a person speaking directly to the camera with a focused expression, surrounded by a vibrant pink background and green geometric shapes. This video highlights volunteer opportunities and community service programming.

Ethan, 20 | NY

Ethan sounds off about how a possible military draft would affect their community.

A close-up of an individual speaking passionately about community service in a vibrant setting, framed by colorful geometric shapes. The background suggests a welcoming environment for civic learning and leadership programming.

Jessica, 20's | NJ

Jessica sounds off of the environmental impact humans have on our wildlife and planet.

A vibrant green background with bold blue lines, featuring a play button overlay on the text 'Financial Literacy.' This image symbolizes educational resources and opportunities for improving financial skills through volunteer and community programs.

Corey, 23 | NY

Corey sounds off about the need for more financial literacy courses in schools, as well as equitable economic laws.

Stream More Stories Here

Your Voice Matters

When you know what you’re fighting for, it’s easier to make informed decisions about the issues that matter to you at the polls. Your voice is where change happens.

A person with curly hair and sunglasses on their head smiles while looking up, reflecting a moment of joy and engagement. This image captures the spirit of community involvement and volunteerism.

Climate issues are so intersectional; poor air quality also affects those that travel on public transportation."

Mia, 21 | GA

ENVIRONMENT

Inspirational Young Leaders

We l🖤ve these changemakers!

A collage featuring three engaged individuals, each representing community activism and civic involvement. One person wears a t-shirt advocating for voting, while others display enthusiasm and professionalism in a collaborative environment.

The Civic Fellows Program

Learn more about the young civic leaders who launched community initiatives to get their peers engaged.

LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY

A diverse group of individuals passionately singing and holding hands in front of a bus, reflecting unity and commitment to community service. This image highlights civic engagement and the importance of volunteer opportunities in fostering social change.

5 Things I Learned from Young Changemakers

Chelsea Miller, CEO of CPM Global and Co-Founder of Freedom March NYC, interviewed activists from Freedom Summer and highlighted these takeaways.

ARTICLE

A speaker engages with an audience during a community service event, emphasizing civic learning and leadership opportunities. The image captures the lively atmosphere, highlighting the importance of collaboration and volunteerism.

Tatiana Led Her Community to Register to Vote

Here’s how Tatiana Bell lit up the Voter Catalyst Network in the Sunshine State.

ARTICLE

How You Showed Up

Since 2023, young people like you have leaned into their civic curiosity with us and inspired your peers to make their voices heard at the ballot box and beyond.

4,500

80+

1.5M

92%

Civic Resources

Learn more about nonpartisan resources working in the field of civic education.

The League of Women Voters

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization working to protect and expand voting rights and ensure everyone is represented in our democracy.

iCivics

iCivics champions equitable, non-partisan civic education so that the practice of democracy is learned by each new generation.

When We All Vote

When We All Vote is a leading national, nonpartisan initiative on a mission to change the culture around voting and to increase participation in each and every election by helping to close the race and age gap.

Circle

CIRCLE, the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, is a non-partisan, independent research organization focused on youth civic engagement in the United States.

Civic Nation

Civic Nation is a nonprofit ecosystem for high-impact organizing and education initiatives working to build a more inclusive, equitable America.

Vote Riders

We provide voter ID assistance so that every American can cast a ballot that counts.

GET INVOLVED

Take action to make a difference in your community today

Join DoSomething

Take Action