Mikva Challenge

Our 12 Soapbox Nation speakers from across the country gathered together in Chicago on May 31 to address a wide range of topics. In our continuing series highlighting these brilliant young people, we shine a light on Jaedin F.M. (New York) and Kaila W. (Ohio) who share why their speech topics hit close to home for them.

Our programming helps young people see that change is possible. After participating in Mikva Challenge activities, 100% of students believe they can make things better by working in the community.

Soapbox Nation is this weekend! Today we continue to highlight the young people who will be sharing their voices, research, and calls to action about issues that affect them and their communities. Eric K. (Maryland) and Adrienne P. (Delaware) reflect on why their speech topics matter to them.

We are less than a week out from our annual Soapbox Nation event, where 12 amazing young speakers from across the country will come together and share the issues that affect them and their communities. As we continue our speaker series, here's why Dharini B. (California) and Aisnley B. (Michigan) chose their topics.

One month later, we’re still thinking about the conversations, learning, and youth leadership that shaped Moving in the Moment.

We’re excited to share this recap video (link in the comments) courtesy of The Social Studies Network from a powerful day of inquiry, action, and intergenerational learning with educators and young people from across Illinois.

Many thanks as well to Eve L. Ewing and Congresswoman Delia Ramirez for speaking at this event!

We are 9 days away from our annual Soapbox Nation event where 12 young people from across the country will speak out about issues impacting them and their communities

In our continuing speaker series, we check in with Signey I. from California as she shares why her topic matters to her.

Hundreds of thousands of young people nationwide have participated in Mikva Challenge’s Project Soapbox curriculum this school year–speaking up about issues that matter most to them and their communities. At the end of May, 12 of those speakers–one from each of Mikva’s program sites–will participate in Mikva’s annual Soapbox Nation and share their speech on a national stage.

We’ll be featuring each speaker over the coming weeks. Today, Ayanna V. from New Hampshire shares why her topic matters to her.

Last week, our Youth Civic Leadership Summit brought more than 100 DC-area 8th-12th grade students representing over 18 schools together to turn their voice to action.

They brainstormed student-centered solutions with city leaders on school safety and celebrated their leadership at the group's Civics Fair, focusing on topics including literacy, mental health, student voice in decision-making, and much more.

Thanks to our sponsors DC State Board Of Education, Office of the Student Advocate, and The Education Trust for supporting this event along with our young people for making their voices heard and showing us that !

Earlier this month, 50 of our students brought their civic learning from the classroom to the New Hampshire Youth Voice Summit.

Students gathered to discuss issues ranging from renewable energy investment, health discrepancies between men and women, and the need for more housing in the state.

New Hampshire Public Radio spoke to a few of these young people (link in comments, photo courtesy of NHPR).

Mikva Challenge students are solution-oriented: 95% of youth participants felt they learned about the possible causes of and solutions to problems in their communities after engaging in our curriculum.