By Kimberly Paulk, SHARECharlotte.com, a free, easy and local website that makes it easy to learn about and engage with our local nonprofits.
What we learn becomes part of who we are. – Kathy R. Jeffords
Today’s students will become the leaders of our communities, businesses and nation. So what they learn now about how government works, and how they can be a part of it, matters.
GenerationNation used to be known as Kids Voting, which is when I first heard about them. Kids Voting is now one of many programs run by GenerationNation. It gives K-12 students a chance to learn about and get involved in elections though a mock vote, and I love that concept. In fact, over 100,000 Charlotte-area students participated in a mock election during the 2012 presidential vote. 
But the name change in 2011 allowed GenerationNation to reflect the broad range of additional programs they now offer, including Charlotte-Mecklenburg Youth Council, Youth Leadership Charlotte-Meck, YouthCLT-Meck 101 and more. GenerationNation also equips K-12 teachers with civic education curriculum, resources and tools. Their programs focus on helping kids of all ages build their civic literacy and grow as confident citizens and leaders. All in all, 50,000 Charlotte-area students participated in 2014-15.
Interested in learning more? You can take a deeper dive on SHARE Charlotte, and also check out these opportunities to get involved:
Committee Volunteer – help develop strategies to raise awareness about GenerationNation and its programs.
Youth Community Service – great for students age 15 and up! Serve on the Youth Council, help in the GenerationNation office or get involved during Kids Voting (October – November 2015).
Wish List – Can’t volunteer? Help out by buying and shipping something that GenerationNation needs right now to keep its programs going.
