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Greetings Friends of the CEC
As Spring blooms, we invite you to consider -
What does it mean to be an active citizen engaged in our democracy?
Comment on @NYCCEC’s Instagram Post and let us know what you think!!
Since our establishment, the Civic Engagement Commission has been charged with running several programs to serve residents of NYC and help build trust in government. We’ve focused our programming to increase representation among communities that are historically underrepresented and underserved including immigrants, individuals with limited English proficiency, people with disabilities, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and more. As the rights of these populations are under attack, and many are feeling unsafe in their own neighborhoods. We believe that all New Yorkers deserve to have equal rights, feel safe in expressing their identities, and freedom to live their own lives without being in danger.
The CEC celebrates the inherent dignity, worth, and diversity of all New Yorkers. We believe all voices must be heard and respected in a democracy in order to create policies that promote the common good. We remain steadfastly committed to creating programs that center listening, relationship building, and care. Our Commission will continue to work to build, and earn, trust in our communities and prove that government can be, should be, and will be for all the people.
The People’s Money Updates
Curious about what’s happening with The People’s Money?
Phase 1 - Idea Generation
At the end of 2024, our idea generation sessions generated 3,725 ideas across the 5 boroughs that were vetted by CEC staff - resulting in 438 eligible ideas that could be funded through The People’s Money.
Phase 2 - Borough Assemblies
These 438 eligible ideas went to each NYC Borough where Borough Assembly Committees weighed in on 90 ideas each against needs in their borough neighborhoods.
After considering community needs and services already provided, Borough Assemblies collectively decided what ideas moved forward to The People’s Money ballot for city-wide voting.
Phase 3 - Citywide Voting
After 20 hours of deliberation on community needs in the Borough Assemblies, New Yorkers moved 46 ideas on to The People’s Money ballot for a city-wide vote on how to spend the People’s Money!
Interested in deciding how to spend The People’s Money? Stay tuned to our Instagram @NYCCEC for updates on how to get involved!
Project Spotlight
Curious about how The People’s Money was spent last year?
Self-Defense Education for Women
Washington Heights and Inwood, Manhattan
Malikah's Self-Defense Education for Women and Girls project is being implemented in Washington Heights and Inwood to train women and girls in self-defense and prepare community members to become self-defense trainers. This project, in partnership with local public schools, religious institutions, and community-based organizations, is designed to address the unique safety needs of women and girls in predominantly immigrant and low-income neighborhoods.
By empowering participants with the tools to defend themselves and building a network of trained community leaders, Malikah envisions creating a lasting impact on the safety and resilience of women and girls in Washington Heights and Inwood. As a result, the project will foster a community-led, sustainable model of empowerment and collective action against gender-based violence.
In February, Malikah held a total of 4 self-defense workshops in Washington Heights that trained individuals in the community in situational awareness, verbal de-escalation and physical de-escalation, affecting their sense of safety by leaving them feeling confident, prepared, and powerful.
Community Boards
As a community board member, you have a say in shaping your NYC community!
Community Boards play an important role in improving quality-of-life for all New Yorkers and provide a means for constituents to have a voice in planning and policy for their neighborhoods.
Interested in making a difference in your community? Learn about why some New Yorkers decided to join their community board through our new video titled “Why I Joined the Community Board”
Why I Joined the Community Board?
Digital Equity
Using Applied Technology for Change
Oscar Romero has been driving innovation as the Chief Information Officer of the Civic Engagement Commission. This month, Oscar was recognized by City & State NY as a leader in digital equity and for working on the largest participatory process in the world based on engagement - The People’s Money.
At the Digital New York Summit, Romero addressed bridging the Digital Divide through three dimensions - digital infrastructure, quality of service and digital literacy.
The newly created Digital Equity Team at the commission strives to solve for the challenge between connectivity and equality across our communities.
The Taskforce for Racial Inclusion and Equity (TRIE) Neighborhood Initiative brings together neighborhood partners to respond to community needs and maintain a connection between underserved neighborhoods and the City.
Identifying 33 Equity Neighborhoods hardest hit in the aftermath of the pandemic, The TRIE Neighborhood Initiative develops grassroots coalitions to uplift community voices, foster civic engagement through increased civic education to improve communities at a hyper-local level!
Learn more about our neighborhood partners and plans for the coming year on the new TRIE Initiative page.
Voter Language Assistance (VLA)
New Yorkers have the right to vote in their language!
This March, the CEC launched its first Language Assistance Advisory Committee (LAAC) of the year. Reps from 12 language communities served by the CEC’s charter mandated VLA program, CEC’s Executive Director Dr. Sarah Sayeed, NYC Immigrants Commissioner Manuel Castro, and Executive Director of The Mayor’s Office of Community & Ethnic Media and Citywide Marketing gathered to solve the challenge of language access and barriers to civic participation for non-English speaking New Yorkers.
CEC In The Streets
The CEC takes pride in being connected with and embedded in our local communities.
Our Outreach Team and People’s Money Borough Coordination teams make connecting with diverse residents a priority in planning the delivery of our programs.
The NTD Community Health Fair, an event spanning boroughs drawing 800 Chinese residents, organized by New Tang Dynasty was an opportunity for CEC’s Catherine Gao to connect with Chinese residents in the city and learn more about their needs while sharing resources and information about The People’s Money - a CEC program filling critical service gaps in the health and wellness space.
In addition to connecting with the Chinese Community, the event served as an opportunity for the community to gather and learn about the latest in the health and wellness space from city agencies like Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA), Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR), Department of Social Services (DSS), Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), and other nonprofit providers!
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