The Legacy
Foundation--with funding from the Knight Foundation Donor Advised Fund--is
announcing its support for a new civic engagement initiative: RiseNWI.
According to a
statement released this week by the Legacy Foundation, “RiseNWI works to
empower local citizens to be strong advocates for quality of life in
Northwest Indiana.”
“An informed
citizenry is essential for individuals and communities to make their own
best choices,” Legacy Foundation Vice-president Kelly Anoe said. “RiseNWI
will help foster civic engagement by enabling people to contribute to and
take an active part in their community’s local government.”
“Strong local
leaders and engaged citizens are critical to improving quality of life in
Northwest Indiana,” the statement said. “Unfortunately, Indiana has suffered
some of the lowest voter turnout rates in the country (just 58 percent in
2016, and only 29 percent in 2014). And a recent Knight Foundation report
found that only 29 percent of Millennials believe that political involvement
of any kind can have tangible results. RiseNWI wants more people engaging
with their representatives, actively voting, and running for office.”
RiseNWI will
provide the training, networks, and resources necessary to develop and
mobilize new civic leadership locally. Its founders--Sarah Ferraro and Ryan
Strode--have years of experience working on community issues and political
campaigns locally and around the country.
“No matter what
your political beliefs are, we believe everyone benefits when more people
are active participants in local government,” said Strode. “We provide the
tools people need to be heard.”
RiseNWI is kicking
off a series of workshops for potential first-time candidates to run for
office from across the political spectrum:
¥From 9 a.m. to 12
p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, RIseNWI will host “How Local Elections Work:” a
preview of the 2018 elections locally and the important personal decision
made when deciding to run.
¥From 9 a.m. to 12
p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, RiseNWI will lead a “Running for Office” training
session, which will include an overview of how to file, launch, and manage a
campaign.
Both events will be
held at the Stage Small Business Incubator, 925 N. Shelby St. in Gary. Gary.
Both events are
free. To sign up, email ryan@risenwi.org or call (219) 789-8161.