Make the Road New York

Make the Road New York provides comprehensive skills training to low-income New Yorkers on leadership skills, media advocacy, civics, community and electoral organizing, and strategic policy advocacy. Leadership development is a core component of our work with adult and youth members; we have hundreds of graduates in a variety of trainings each year who can effectively speak for themselves and others as part of our community organizing and advocacy campaigns.

Our weekly organizing committee meetings provide a primary venue for training for our members. Through regular training opportunities during these meetings, members develop organizing, analytical and group work skills, and also deepen their understanding of New York City government, the history of organizing and the city, and the state and federal legislative landscape. Additionally, 50 to 60 member leaders active in each of our organizing areas meet quarterly for additional leadership development opportunities, as well as to discuss opportunities for cross-committee collaboration and the overall strategic direction of the organization.

We create opportunities for experiential learning by sponsoring frequent trips to relevant community and government institutions that we have discussed in workshops. For example, we have brought participants to public hearings of the New York City Council and to local Community Board meetings.

Our legal department provides regular "Know Your Rights" trainings on subjects ranging from the tenant's bill of rights to disability benefit eligibility to what to do if stopped by the police, with the goal of increasing our members' ability to enforce their own rights while building their practical knowledge of the laws that affect them most.

Youth Leadership Development
Each year, Make the Road New York's youth staff identifies a group of 50 Youth Power Project (YPP) members to be core youth leaders. This core group receives individualized support from a YPP staff person through informal conversations and bi-weekly formal check-ins. At these meetings, Project staff support core members in progressing through the Youth Power Project's 4-tier leadership development structure, which recognizes young people's commitment to their work with the organization, their own personal development, and their development as effective community leaders. Requirements for graduating to each successive tier include:

Consistent participation at least once weekly in our-after school activities;
Setting and meeting education and leadership goals, and taking on leadership roles in our programs.

As youth progress through this tier system, they become eligible to receive short-term stipended positions with Make the Road New York, as well as internships at other social justice organizations.