CommonAction

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CommonAction, founded in 2005, is a U.S. nonprofit organization promoting civic engagement for youth throughout society. Their programs include The Freechild Project and SoundOut.

1 Mission
2 Structure
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Mission

The mission of CommonAction is to create uncommon solutions to common problems by engaging young people and adults together for democracy.^[1] In order to accomplish this mission, CommonAction offers programs that provide training, tools, and technical assistance to community organizations, foundations, schools, and individual youth and adults. Topics addressed in these programs include youth voice, student voice, youth participation, and youth rights among others.

[edit] Structure

CommonAction is presided over by a Board of Directors, and supported by Advisory Boards, and staff members. Adam Fletcher is the Executive Director. Currently, the Board of Directors includes President Michael Vavrus, Secretary Jessica Vavrus, Treasurer Andy Rosser, Vice President Jimmy Livengood, and members Kari Kunst, Adrienne Wiley-Thomas, Patricia Finnegan, and Doug Smith.

CommonAction operates two specific outreach programs that provide training, resources, and consulting services across the nation. The first, called The Freechild Project, was created in 2001 to focus on engaging youth voice in throughout communities. Freechild receives expert guidance from an advisory board that includes Andrea Felix, Henry Giroux, Jeff Conor, Mishaela Durán, Alex Koroknay-Palicz, Wendy Schaetzel Lesko, Tara Fayter, Heather Manchester, LaNovia Meuse, Jason Puz, and Joe Vavrus.

Their second program is called SoundOut. Since 2003 SoundOut has provided schools and education organizations with curriculum, training, and resources focused on engaging student voice in school reform. SoundOut's expert Advisory Board includes Jeff Conor, Henry Giroux, Dennis Harper, Scott Le Duc, Michele Levine, Adam King, Kate McPherson, Robert Miller, Sue Paro, Aaron Tang, Michael Vavrus, Patricia Wasley, Greg Williamson, and Karen Young.