MENTOR’s Advocate Academy trains individuals to develop their personal policy and advocacy skills to become more civically engaged citizens and effective advocates for the issues they care about. The Academy is a free skill and professional development opportunity that is open to anyone interested in attending, including youth. While the curriculum is tailored to people connected to the mentoring/youth development space, the skills and issues covered in these trainings can be applied universally to educate, advocate, and effectively influence policymaking.
The Academy consists of three separate hour-long, interactive virtual learning sessions that must be attended by the individual in its entirety in order to move on to the next course. After each session, attendees will receive an optional supplemental reading and brief assignment that must be submitted in order to move on to the next course.
Graduates of the program (those who complete all three courses) will receive a certificate, reward, and networking opportunities with the mentoring movement’s most engaged advocates.
The three courses currently offered are as follows:
Government 101
This session focused on the basics of government and civics in the United States. It covered how policy/laws are made at the local, state, and national level; the responsibilities of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches; what the government can do for you; systems of checks and balances; how to read/understand a bill; and definitions of key terms.
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View Assignment
View Key Terms
View Slide Deck
Advocacy 101
This session focused on how advocates can use various tactics to influence policy at the local, state, and national level. It covered strategies such as writing to or calling elected officials; utilizing social media; researching and requesting meetings with elected officials; and more. Attendees must complete the Government 101 training and assignment in order to participate in this course.
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Complete Assignment
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Policy and Advocacy Communications 101
This session focused on effective message development. It covered how to use data and stories to formulate strong, strategic, and persuasive messages; best practices for presentations/meetings with elected officials and/or their staff; and how to organize in your community. Attendees must complete the Government 101 and Advocacy 101 trainings and assignments in order to participate in this course.
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Complete Assignment
Policy and Advocacy Communications 101 Key Terms
View Slide Deck
Questions about the academy can be directed to Caden at cfabbi@mentoring.org.