THE 2024 CIVIC FELLOWS
Learn more about the young civic leaders who launched community initiatives to get their peers engaged.
THE CIVIC FELLOWS PROGRAM
The 2024 Civic Fellows Program, part of DoSomething’s Art of Democracy initiative, was a three-month leadership opportunity for young adults (17-25) who are fired up about civic engagement in New York City.
They used media, art, and storytelling to boost the participation of people under 25 in community and civic life, and received hands-on training, mentorship, and expert support to launch their projects addressing a need in their communities.
OUR 2024 CIVIC FELLOWS
These three young civic leaders worked to launch a community initiative that addresses various issues young people experience, using media, art, and storytelling to get their peers engaged.
Felicia Gambino
Felicia is the founder of "The Magician's Project," a movement dedicated to breaking the stigma on mental health to prevent suicide in young people through advocacy, education, and social media. As a Civic Fellow, Felicia created a social media series called "The Magic Reset" with the hashtag #ResetTheStigma.
Azul Balderas
Azul has focused her Civic Fellows project on empowering women to share their personal stories through a creative blend of photography and poetry. Azul created a mixed-media platform that showcases women's experiences and societal challenges from their point of view.
Sonja Aibel
Sonja’s Civic Fellows project combined arts and data science as she worked to advance ranked-choice voting (RCV) and deepen civic engagement among teens in NYC. She looked at unused data from RCV and CUNY about how young people get involved in their communities and used that information to create eye-catching visuals that tell the story of Gen Z’s engagement.
WHAT CIVIC FELLOWS DID
Participated in Structured Meetings
From October 2024 to December 2024, fellows participated in at least 5 structured meetings to share their progress, receive feedback, and learn from industry experts on topics such as project management, advocacy, and media storytelling.
Implemented Their Own Civic Project
Fellows developed and implemented their own civic project using media, art, or storytelling to drive civic engagement.
Lead Presentations
Fellows served as leaders in events, including a final showcase where they presented their projects to an audience of peers, mentors, and DoSomething staff.
Receive Personalized Coaching
Engage in regular progress reporting and receive personalized coaching to help you refine and execute your projects.
What Fellows Received:
‣ $1,150 total compensation for their participation.
‣ Live training sessions with renowned artists, storytellers, and civic leaders to help develop their skills and amplify their work.
‣ The opportunity to showcase their projects at a final presentation, with visibility on DoSomething.org and within our broader network.
‣ A community of like-minded changemakers and mentors that supported their journey.
What We Looked For:
‣ NYC residents aged 17-25 who were committed to civic engagement and social justice, with a passion for using media, art, or storytelling to inspire change.
‣ Individuals with a clear concept of a civic project they wanted to pursue, or those who had already begun such work in their communities.
‣ Availability to participate in all program activities.
Make a difference in your community and add your vision to the future of our democracy