Notes From The Neighborhood: New Political Education Program

The Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College and the Latino Leadership Institute have jointly announced the creation of new program aimed at educating New Yorkers on how elections and political campaigns function in the city. The program will offer classes on campaign finance, ethics, field operations, petitions, electoral strategy, turn out the vote, messaging, fundraising, media relations, polling, public speaking and voter registration. It will be open to CUNY students as well as community members. "By launching this Academy in partnership with the community, we are creating a stronger and even more activist school for today's emerging social work organizers and advocates," said Jacqueline Mondros, dean of the Silberman School. Jaime Estades, president and founder of the Latino Leadership Institute, said that helping "all citizens learn the nuts and bolts of how to organize the vote in a nonpartisan fashion will broaden the debate, thus helping communities become more informed and actively engaged." The collaboration kicks off with a symposium called "The 2012 Presidential Election and the Latino Community," Tuesday, April 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the Silberman School of Social Work, 2180 3rd Ave. Advanced registration required at http://bit.ly/H9sAa5. Compiled by Megan Bungeroth and Josh Rogers