Lead Community Change is a dynamic two-cycle journey that harnesses the transformative power of storytelling to drive social impact. Mentees in this initiative will unleash their creativity to develop innovative projects that make a meaningful difference in their local communities, all while being supported by Girls Write Now’s rich storytelling resources.
This journey is designed for aspiring young leaders and activists who are eager to create and implement impactful community-based social activism projects. With a personalized approach, we tailor our support to meet the unique needs of each initiative, empowering participants to bring their visions to life and inspire change in their communities.
Learning Objectives
- Understand Inequities: Analyze how inequities, power dynamics, and privilege influence social institutions and community issues.
- Explore the Power of Storytelling: Examine the role of storytelling in inspiring and driving social change.
- Apply Theoretical Concepts: Synthesize and apply various theoretical frameworks to real-world situations to effect practical social change.
- Develop a Project Plan: Create and implement a detailed proposal or action plan, including planning and executing an event that supports your cause, and integrate media strategies to enhance project visibility and impact.
- Value Collective Action: Recognize the importance of collective action in achieving and sustaining impactful community change
Apply Now
Applications are closed for the Fall 2024 cycle!
Cycle(s) Offered:
Fall 2024 (October 21 – January 21)
Spring 2025 (March-May)
Please note that this journey runs over 2 cycles and concludes in May 2025.
Time:
4 hours per month
Areas of Focus:
Social Justice, Community Change, Public Health and Policy, Advocacy, DEIB, Civic Engagement, Grassroots Organizing, Intersectionality, Environmental Justice, Human Rights, Economic Justice
Requirements:
- Attend journey live sessions and one community studio per month
- Have at least 2 pair sessions per month
- Complete journey’s asynchronous coursework
- Write a personal essay on the cause you wish to address in your project and submit the essay to your Author Page/Girls Write Now’s website.
- Draft a social activism action plan by following the lessons in the course
- Implement at least one digital medium to promote your cause (e.g. video, podcast, website, blog, etc.)
- Plan and execute an event in the spring semester that supports your cause (e.g. fundraiser event, a clean-up drive, a food kitchen event, an educational event, petition drive, etc.)
- Deliver a reflective presentation on your project at the end of the journey
Lead Community Change Journey Package
As a participant in the Lead Community Change Journey, you’ll have access to two courses—one in the fall and one in the spring—to support the development of your community-based social activism project. You’ll be paired for two full cycles and will meet with your mentee/mentor for at least two pair sessions each month. Additionally, you’ll attend one journey meeting per month, one community studio (preferably focused on leadership), and any announced journey-related workshops.
Lead Community Change Courses
The Lead Community Change offers two courses designed to support you in developing your community-based social activism project plan.
Courses:
- Lead: Developing a Social Activism Community Project
This course guides you through the process of planning and executing a community-focused social activism project. You’ll learn how to identify community needs, set project goals, and develop an actionable plan. - Lead: Media Implementation & Resources
This course offers practical strategies for integrating media into your social activism efforts. You’ll gain hands-on knowledge of how to effectively use various media platforms and resources to enhance your advocacy, engage your audience, and amplify your message.
These courses are offered as a part of the Lead Community Change Journey package. If you’d like to take a course without joining a journey, click here.
Lead Community Change Mentoring
Mentees and mentors in the Lead Community Change Journey will be paired for a minimum of two cycles. Each pair will meet for at least two hour-long sessions per month. Mentees will develop community-based social activism projects, while mentors will provide support and guidance throughout the process. This journey is open to both mentor/mentee pairs and peer-to-peer pairs.
This Journey requires a two-cycle long commitment to a mentorship relationship. If you’d like to mentor but cannot commit to a full cycle, click here.
Lead Community Change Community Experiences
Mentees and mentors in the Lead Community Change Journey are required to attend monthly meetings, held on Saturdays from 3:00 to 5:00 PM ET. Additionally, they attend one community studio per month, preferably a leadership-focused community studio.
Lead Community Change Orientation :
October: Wednesday, 10/9/2024, 7 pm
Lead Community Change live virtual meeting dates for Fall and Spring:
- November: Saturday, 11/16, 3 pm ET
- December: Saturday, 12/14, 3 pm ET
- January: Saturday, 1/18, 3 pm ET
- March: Saturday, 3/15, 3 pm ET
- April: Saturday, 4/19, 3 pm ET
- May: Saturday, 5/17, 3 pm ET
This Journey requires a two-cycle commitment to attending the listed journey’s community engagement experiences. If you’d like to attend engagement experiences but cannot commit to a full cycle, click here.
Lead 360 Adventure
Lead Community Change is a Journey in the Lead 360 Adventure.
All journeys within this Adventure emphasize leadership, aiming to help mentees and mentors develop their leadership skills and work together to create a better future. Explore the other Adventures offered at Girls Write Now below to learn more.
Not ready for a Journey?
If you want to be a part of the Girls Write Now Collaboratory but you aren’t ready to join a Journey, you can participate in individual writing courses, short-term mentoring services, and select community engagement experiences. See all of the options available to you below!
Writing
Take a course without joining a journey, being paired with a mentee or mentor, or attending community engagement experiences.
Mentoring
Meet with a mentee or mentor without joining a journey, accessing writing courses, or attending community engagement experiences.
Community
Attend community engagement experiences without joining a journey, being paired with a mentee or mentor, or accessing writing courses.