Community and Civic Engagement

 

TYWLS Community & Civic Engagement 

As part of our TYWLS values in leadership, community, and equity, we encourage civic engagement from all our students, staff, and families.   All students engage with the NY State accredited coursework in U.S. History, Global History, and Government as part of their Humanities curriculum, and our after school clubs, Intensives programs, community town halls, and classroom debates promote active participation in conversations shaping democracy and government in our city, state, country, and world that affects us all.   Here are some ways you can get involved.

TYWLS Votes!

In March 2019 and 2020, our eligible (18+) students and staff were given an opportunity through the NYC DOE Civics for All program to register to vote, with younger student volunteers involved in the coordination and excitement of this opportunity for our first time voters.  In this important election in a challenging time for public schools and working families across our nation, please see below ways that we can support you in voting in New York in 2020!

Text “NYCVOTES” to 917-979-6377 to get updates and information.
When	What	How
Now!	Check your registration	Type in your information at NY Voter Search.  You may have registered in past, and need to again.
Before October 9	Last day to register (or help others in community who are 18+)	If you have a NYS Drivers License, you can FULLY register online here. If you do not have a NYS Drivers License, you can pre-fill your registration here to be mailed to you.  Sign and send back to register! Need a stamp or a lesson on how to write your address or use mail?  Ask ANY teacher!
During October	Research candidates that share your values	You can read about candidates with your family in many languages at this NYC Voter Guide.
Before October 27	Last day to request ballot if you need to vote by mail	If you are high risk for COVID-19 or you need to vote by mail, you can Request an absentee ballot. You can use the same site to track your ballot in the mail before and after sending it.
Before November 3	Last day to vote in person or by mail  NO SCHOOL students	You can Find your Early or Election Day polling place by typing in your address or drop your ballot in a mailbox no later than that morning.
After	Join #TYWLSVotes	Use the #hashtag on social media or send a pic, video, or note about your voting pride, power, privilege, hope, and encouragement!

For more information or help in any language on voting, contact our School Counselor and Civics for All Liaison, Gayathri Iyer gayathri@tywls-astoria.org.

Poll Workers

Some of our students, alumna, and families have signed up to work on Election Day and at Early Voting sites as a paid position with training.  In 2020, we encourage only those who are healthy, over 18 years of age, and able to practice and enforce covid-safe guidelines to read about how to become a Poll Worker.

Service Learning / Community Based Organizations

Many of our students, often of their own research and application, have held volunteer, internship, or paid positions at community based organizations that involve in social change, including the below. Have an opportunity you would like to share or learn more about? Contact our Gayathri Iyer at gayathri@tywls-astoria.org

Sadie Nash Leadership Project

DoSomething

Green Girls (NYC Parks)

Project D.O.T. 

Brooklyn Museum Apprentice Program

NYPD Youth

South Asian Youth Action

Queens LGBTQ Center 

Arab American Family Support Center

Adhikaar

Turning Point NY

Campaigns for local candidates in Astoria, Queens, New York City