NEWS

September 14, 2023:  The 2023 CPB Public Media Thought Leader Forum in Grand Rapids, Michigan, brought innovators and public media leaders together to discuss the role of public media in strengthening democracy and civil society as America approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, with CPB President and CEO Patricia Harrison emphasizing public media's commitment to this ongoing effort. John Bridgeland, CEO of More Perfect, a democracy-focused initiative, outlined its five democracy goals, with a particular emphasis on universal civic learning, emphasizing the power of citizens to address challenges in a democracy. Read the full article here.

July 2023: How can national service prioritize its resources to support communities in bridging divisions, particularly those resulting from differing ideological, cultural, or political viewpoints? "Embracing bridgebuilding as a more intentional goal of national service is not only vital for the health of our communities and the nation – it’s also vital for national service to flourish..." With input from John Bridgeland, please access the full working paper here.

July 1, 2023: As Americans prepare to celebrate almost 250 years of independence, we are reminded that this nation and it's citizens are still called to welcome and provide safe shelter to refugees who have fled their countries to find safety on our soil. Read the story of a family who fled Afghanistan and found compassion, a new home, and community support through the Welcome.US initiative. The full article can be read here.

June 22, 2023: As millions of families celebrate high school graduations this month, were it not for a remarkably successful national collective effort, there would be more than half a million fewer diplomas awarded this year. Read the opinion piece by John Bridgeland and Robert Balfanz that discusses our nation’s 20-year effort to confront its high school dropout challenge in The Dallas Morning News here.

June 20, 2023: Approximately 5.2 million children in the United States experience the death of a parent before their 18th birthday yet they remain largely anonymous, with no mechanism in schools, pediatricians’ offices or youth-serving organizations to identify them or their families  Read the full opinion piece here to discover how a new partnership that has emerged in Utah will begin to address the challenge of this hidden epidemic. Authors: Governor Spencer Cox and John Bridgeland:

May 20, 2023: Our nation's children are facing alarming rates of depression and anxiety coming out of the pandemic. Young people are having difficulty adapting to school routines, managing relationships and avoiding the perils of alcohol, drugs and violence.  The U.S. Surgeon General talks about “an epidemic of loneliness.” In virtually every community, parents, teachers, and caregivers are sounding a painful alarm: we need help. To learn more about how schools and communities that develop and reinforce the skills, attitudes and beliefs that help us all develop positively and prevent the most serious mental health problems, read the article penned by Timothy Shriver and John Bridgeland here.

February 28, 2023: Calling all changemakers in Chicago, Detroit, and Jackson — you need to know about the Change Collective. Change Collective is building a cohort of local leaders who want to bring people together, bridge divides, and solve problems at the community level. You'll have access to training opportunities, leadership development, and a network of local and national mentors. I am proud to be on Change Collective's Advisory Council, and I encourage you to learn more and apply at change-collective.org.

February 14, 2023: Wes Moore, Maryland's new governor, has a bold idea for civic service. “We are going to be the state that’s going to bring a service-year option for every single high-school graduate,” said Moore, and his second executive order established the Department of Service and Civic Innovation, creating a cabinet secretary position to oversee the service year option program. John Bridgeland called what’s happening in Maryland “one of the more exciting developments in civilian national service I’ve seen since 9/11.” Read more about the SERVE Act here.

February 27, 2023: Covid-19 laid bare persistent inequities across America. While there is reason to worry, there is also reason to be hopeful. Read how a  diverse group of leaders convened to discuss how to better protect Americans from pandemic threats while at the same time reinforcing American values of freedom and democracy. Access the article here.

February 13, 2023: Tim Shriver pens a moving tribute to Washington Post columnist and ally of UNITE and CIVIC efforts Michael J. Gerson and shares Mike's hopes for the future...  Read the full UNITE newsletter here.

February 10, 2023: Mourning the passing of presidential speechwriter and columnist Michael Gerson, those "gathered in the majestic Washington National Cathedral, where presidents and cabinet secretaries and other titans of America’s ruling class are traditionally memorialized in the nation’s capital" want the legacy of Mike's legacy of  "compassionate conservatism" to live on. “In honor of Mike, we need a renewed commitment to that legacy that he nurtured, cultivated, so beautifully over his life and gave voice to,” John Bridgeland  Read the full article here.

Feb 9, 2023: Read the report by CSIS Global Health Policy Center, Brown University Pandemic Center, and COVID Collaborative, on how to strengthen the U.S. pandemic response in a free society. . Read the Executive Summary here, or download the full Report here.

Feb 2, 2023: A gathering of current and prospective journalism funders and practitioners gathered in Sunnylands, CA, to reinvent local news as civic information in service of communities.  Read the full Opinion piece here.

May 9 2022: Civic, the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) and the Coalition for Career Development (CCD) Center released a new report featuring a state policy roadmap for K-12 education that prepares students to succeed in a rapidly changing world. "Americans look to the education system to equip young people to succeed in this environment, but traditional approaches have often fallen short with the rapidly changing future of work. Employers and the evidence point to a need for social and emotional skills within career and workforce education.   Access the report here.

March 30, 2022: ..."twice in the past year, American policy and the American people have turned their attention to welcoming substantial populations of newcomers — first from Afghanistan and now from Ukraine." "Americans want to help, and they are working with Welcome.US to ensure that those who need a haven here will find one."  Read here.