Join us for the launch of The People's Money!
You pick, we pay — and it all starts May 14! Join the Civic Engagement Commission by participating in our citywide budgeting program where you can decide how to spend part of the city's budget. You can vote digitally at on.nyc.gov/pb or find an in-person voting location at on.nyc.gov/pbvotesites
This is your chance to have your voice heard and spend part of the city's budget on projects that matter to your community
Any New York resident, ages 11 and up, can participate regardless of their immigration status!
3D: Dollars, Dreams, & Democracy
On April 30, the CEC hosted 3D: Dreams, Dollars, and Democracy — a full-day conference celebrating the power of community voices, shared decision making, and the bold imagination that fuels our democracy.
The event brought together youth leaders, artists, organizers, public servants, and advocates from across NYC for a day of workshops, panels, performances, and connection. From strategy sessions on coalition building and data-driven decision-making to artistic interventions and youth-led discussions, the day reflected the diverse ways New Yorkers are shaping what democracy feels like when it's rooted in joy, trust, and collective power.
Celebrating National Volunteer Month!
April was National Volunteer Month — a time to honor the incredible impact of volunteers and the organizations that support civic engagement across our city. We are thrilled to share that the Civic Engagement Commission was recognized with the Service Recognition Award from NYC Service for our work engaging volunteers across New York City!
This award is a testament to the dedication of our staff, who have created meaningful opportunities for New Yorkers to get involved, make their voices heard, and strengthen their communities. Whether it's through The People's Money, language access programs, or civic learning events, volunteers are at the heart of everything we do.
Want to get involved?
We're always looking for passionate New Yorkers to help make civic engagement more accessible and inclusive. The CEC has three volunteer opportunities available in May and June:
- PB Vote Ambassador: Help boost voter turnout for The People's Money by canvassing, door-knocking, or tabling at events across NYC from May 14 – June 25.
- Flagship Volunteer: Support one of our five major borough events promoting The People's Money alongside CEC staff as a vote-getter and community messenger.
- Voter Language Access Volunteer: Are you bilingual? Help New Yorkers with limited English proficiency understand their voting rights and the PB process.
Learn more or sign up here!
Busy Season for the Voter Language Access Team
CEC's Voter Language Assistance (VLA) team is gearing up for the June Primary Election. The Primary will decide which candidates will run for city offices in the November General Elections. After providing services in two special elections (March 25, Council District 44 and April 29, Council District 51) the VLA team is also preparing to provide voter interpretation services for a May Special Election in Senate District 22. CEC will provide services at 22 Election Day sites and seven Early Voting sites. For more information about our services in the upcoming elections, visit on.nyc.gov/vla
To expand outreach and education about ranked choice voting, CEC issued a pilot Request for Interest to community-based organizations and public institutions working with language communities. Organizations selected will conduct language info sessions on Ranked Choice Voting, voting rights, and CEC's voter interpretation services.
The People's Money Partner Spotlight: Change Food for Good
Change Food for Good is leading a People's Money project called Job Training for Young Adults and Adults in Trade Work in the Bronx neighborhoods of Morrisania & Crotona, Mott Haven & Melrose, and Hunts Point & Longwood.
Their Intro to Agricultural Technology course helps people build skills in farming, construction, and coding. This hands-on training explores the future of farming by teaching students how to design and build eco-friendly food systems with new technology. The program also helps young people find new job opportunities in growing fields — and build a healthier future for their communities.
Want to get involved? Sign up for Change Food for Good's FREE 8-week program!
- Get a $250 stipend
- Qualify for a paid 3-6 month internship
- Earn your OSHA-10 certificate for free
- Learn to design and build green farms
Email sam@changefoodforgood.org or DM @changefoodforgood to apply!
From the CEC to the National Civic Review: Benjamin Solotaire on Adding Civic Assemblies to The People's Money
We're proud to highlight that our very own Benjamin Solotaire, Senior Advisor at the CEC, recently published an article in the National Civic Review exploring one of the most innovative aspects of our work: combining civic assemblies with participatory budgeting.
In his piece, "Does Mixing Civic Assemblies and Participatory Budgeting Make Either Process Better?", Benjamin walks through how The People's Money has worked civic assemblies into its idea selection process — an innovation that started in 2022 and is now in its third year. He reflects on what has worked, what we've learned, and where we're still evolving as we continue to make our process more inclusive, transparent, equitable, and grounded in real community voices.
From trying new ways to bring New Yorkers into city decision-making to partnering with community organizations for their experience and insight, the article gives a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how we've brought real deliberation into participatory democracy — without losing the accessibility and local power that The People's Money is all about.
"We at the Civic Engagement Commission look forward to continuing to improve ways for all New Yorkers to be directly involved in the decisions made by our government on all levels through both deliberative and participatory processes. Sharing our learnings, and learning from others, will always be crucial to our work."
🔗 Check out the full article here → Does Mixing Civic Assemblies and Participatory Budgeting Make Either Process Better?
Join the NYC Commission on Racial Equity Organizing Network!
CORE is inviting 70 organizations, collectives, or groups to join them in advancing racial equity and social justice in NYC!
Selected nonprofits, community and faith-based organizations, local governance groups, volunteer-led and mutual aid groups, cooperatives, small businesses, and MWBEs will each receive up to $12,500 to host community conversations and share participant feedback with CORE.
Each organization must hold at least one facilitated conversation (or more, within the budget limit). All conversations must take place by June 30, 2025.
📅 Ready to join? Sign up here:https://shorturl.at/S8tMy
🔗 Learn more:https://lnkd.in/gmvseBqS
✉️ Questions? Email AskCore@core.nyc.gov
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Spotlight: John Park & the MinKwon Center for Community Action
In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, we're highlighting John Park, the Executive Director of the MinKwon Center for Community Action — a powerful voice for immigrant rights and civic engagement in New York City.
The MinKwon Center began as a space for Korean Americans to connect through service, education, and culture. Today, it is a leading organization empowering the wider Asian American and immigrant communities through organizing, legal and social services, youth leadership, and civic action.
Under John Park's leadership, the MinKwon Center has continued pushing for bold policy changes, including support for Local Law 11, which would give noncitizen New Yorkers the right to vote in local elections.
MinKwon (which means "civil rights" in Korean) is more than a name — it's a commitment. The center's work centers on advocacy, civic participation, culture, youth organizing, and essential services to build a more just, inclusive New York for all.
Learn more about the MinKwon Center at https://www.minkwon.org/
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