Close Up Foundation Helps Students Become Good Citizens

Close Up is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that believes a strong democracy requires active and informed participation by all citizens. Since 1971, more than 900,000 students, teachers, and parents have participated in Close Up's Washington, DC-based programs. The foundation's issue-centric, nonpartisan curriculum is designed to provide participants with a stronger understanding of government institutions, history, current issues, and their roles as citizens.

"We fulfill our mission through week-long, immersive education programs for middle and high school students and teachers in Washington, DC," says Community Relations Manager Eleanor Vogelsang. "The overarching goal of every Close Up program is to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for effective and responsible citizenship. As a nonpartisan organization, we do not tell students where to land on the political spectrum. We present a balanced, multi-partisan perspective when discussing issues. Ultimately, we hope participants will think about the broader impact of policy recommendations on a variety of communities."

Upon arriving in DC for their Close Up program, students are placed into small groups alongside youth from across the country. Close Up's trained Program Instructors lead these small groups through the week's comprehensive, academically driven schedule. Students visit the iconic monuments and memorials in Washington, DC, where Close Up instructors use the nation's capital as a living classroom.

For example, at the Jefferson, Roosevelt, and MLK Jr. Memorials, students discuss three of the values which have shaped American political discourse: liberty, equality, and justice. These values appear many times throughout our history, starting with the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution. Students then consider how these values have changed over time, and how they inform the policies we deliberate today.

"Our founder felt strongly that all students should be engaged in the democratic process, learning citizenship skills through current issue debates and collaborative learning," notes Vogelsang. "We strive to bring together participants from varied backgrounds without regard to race, creed, geographical region, socioeconomic level, and academic standing."

As part of the program, high school students visit Capitol Hill, where they may meet their members of Congress, Senators, and/or their staff. All students take part in a Mock Congress simulation, which introduces them to the intricacies of policy-making. Students get to see the importance of engaging with their representatives and experience what a government "of the people, by the people, for the people," as President Abraham Lincoln put it, means in practice. Teachers also benefit by spending a week with colleagues from across the nation, which allows them to share best practices, collaborate on lesson plan development, and gather valuable educational resources to use back in their classrooms.

Since 1975, more than 1,057 Tri-Valley students have participated in Close Up programs. Close Up is committed to being an accessible program for all students. The foundation's budget includes student fellowship funds to offset the cost for low-income students. In partnership with area schools, Close Up's Community Relations team has received over $14,000 total in donations from American Legion Post 237 (Pleasanton), Hacienda Helping Hands, Joint Livermore Rotarian Foundation, North Pleasanton Rotary Club, Pleasanton Rotary Club, and Soroptimists of the Tri Valley to provide partial, need-based scholarships to local youth.

"As the nation's political polarization continues to grow, it is ever more important to instill in young people the ability to compromise and respectfully discuss issues with others holding a different opinion," says Vogelsang. "We are thrilled to be able to partner with local organizations to expand access to more students, helping prepare more youth for the important leadership roles the community will need in the future."

For more information about Close Up Foundation, please visit www.closeup.org.

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