“I think that what’s really unique about AU is not only realizing that Gen. Z organizers deserve to be paid for their labor but also investing in the educational aspects,” shared Nicole Li, a member of the 2022 cohort of AU’s Youth Organizing Fellows. “The fact that we’re on this monthly training call speaks to how much AU really cares about not just mobilizing a new generation of church-state separation advocates but also making sure they’re informed.”
That’s what our Youth Organizing Fellowship is all about: building power with a group of emerging leaders and advocates from across the country. And we’re so excited to be recruiting for our next cohort!
Activists ages 18-25 who want to gain new skills, learn more about church-state separation, and advocate in their communities are encouraged to apply to the Youth Organizing Fellowship. This is a paid, year-long opportunity and applications close on Tuesday, July 5.
You can also join our online Information Session for Applicants on Thursday, June 2, to hear more about the program and how to apply directly from staff and current fellows. Click here to register for the info session.
The next cohort of the Youth Organizing Fellowship will be selected this summer and kick off in September with a trip to Washington, DC during which Fellows will get to meet AU and each other, learn new skills and strategize for the coming year. Then Fellows will continue to meet monthly by video for ongoing training and support while organizing events and campaigns in their communities. Applicants should be able to commit significant time to organizing with Americans United and be excited to work in collaboration with youth activists from across the country.
The Fellowship is also a professional development opportunity to grow as an activist and leader. Applicants to the Youth Organizing Fellowship should bring some knowledge and experience but also be excited to learn more. Skills that Fellows can expect to gain or strengthen during the Fellowship include communication and public speaking; advocacy and organizing skills, such as lobbying and coalition building; and working with people of different faith traditions.
Americans United will select 10 Fellows who come from different backgrounds, work on a variety of issues that intersect with separation of religion and government and have shared values of religious freedom and equality. Applicants should be passionate advocates for the rights of LGBTQ people, religious minorities, the nonreligious, women and communities of color.
If you or someone you know is interested in joining the next cohort of Youth Organizing Fellows at Americans United, go to www.au.org/youthfellows to learn more about the program and how to apply.
Photo: Alicia Johnson (l) and members of AU’s Youth Organizing Fellowship rally at the Supreme Court on the day of the Kennedy v. Bremerton School District argument.
