Generation Progress 2013 Annual Report by Generation Progress

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Generation Progress Center for American Progress 1333 H St. NW, 10th Floor Washington, DC 20005 202-682-1611 | 202-682-1867 (fax) hello@genprogress.org This report is available at: genprogress.org/2013report Generation Progress is a national organization that works with and for young people to promote progressive solutions to key political and social challenges. Formerly known as Campus Progress, we are expanding our programs in activism, journalism, policy research, and advocacy to engage all Millennials, not just those on college campuses. Generation Progress engages a diverse group of young people nationwide, inspires them to embrace progressive values, provides them with essential trainings, and helps them to make their voices heard—and to push policy outcomes in a strongly progressive direction. Generation Progress’s work is based on the idea that young people don’t have to wait to change the world; they have the power right now to tip the balance on critical issues from economic opportunity to access to education to environmental sustainability to human rights and civic engagement. At the same time, we work to see that new generations of progressives are better trained, better informed, more inclusive, and more united than ever before—so our country will have leaders with the skills, experience, and vision to address the most important challenges of the future. On the national level, Generation Progress’s staff and network members mobilize young progressives and advocate for their views in Washington and in states and communities around the country. We provide a national platform for young journalists, and we bring young people together through events that move them to action. On the local level, Generation Progress supports activism, journalism, and events projects run by young people. We give young people training, advice, and resources to help their projects succeed. Generation Progress combines proven approaches to advocacy and organizing with social media and other online tools to broaden and deepen our impact. We work with young people from a wide range of backgrounds and we seek to create innovative programs and materials that engage, challenge, and support a diverse group of participants. Backed by the policy expertise of the Center for American Progress, and working in collaboration with a wide range of allies, Generation Progress strives to be an effective, influential, and inclusive organization that helps make new generations a strong force for progressive change.

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contents 4 | OUR STAFF 5 | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S LETTER 6 | 2013: A YEAR OF CHANGE &

PROGRESS

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our staff

GURWIN AHUJA

SARAH AUDELO

DOUG BAIR

KURSTON COOK

LYDIA FISER

ANNE JOHNSON

REBECCA KAPLAN

JAMAL LITTLE

ZENEN PÉREZ

LAUREN SILLS

BRIAN STEWART

MAGGIE THOMPSON

Policy Advocate

Journalism Network Associate

Policy Advocate

Policy Director

Executive Director

Advocacy Associate

Associate Editor

Special Assistant

Communications Director

Special Projects Manager

Press Associate

Student Debt Campaign Manager

interns KATE WILSON

Advocacy Manager

LAYLA ZAIDANE

Online Communications Associate

REPORTERS & ARTISTS

Amber Pace, Amir Salehzadeh, Anna Perina, Charles DiPasquale, Charles Kramer, Christine Dickason, Erin Armstrong, Greg Young, James King, Julie Thompson, Kathryn Wing, Kenneth Kincaid, Nate Tisa, Rachel Kane, Rhonda Brown, Robert Fisher, Samantha Gonzalez, Shawn Shaligram, Stephanie Bragdon, Taylor Nicolas, Trevor McNary, Tyler Gabrielski, Varun Anand

Aditi Pai, Alexandra Branscombe, Amir Salehzadeh, Andy Warner, Anya Callahan, Bridget Todd, Candice Bernd, Cherise Lesesne, Chris Lewis, Cody Bond, Dahlia Grossman-Heinze, David Moyer, Emily Crockett, Emily Roseman, Emma Weinstein-Levey, Jenn Nowicki, Jen Sorenson, Jon Christian, Kevin Jersey, Kimberly Minor, Marc Peters, Matt Bors, Melissa Adan, Michael Cooper, Molly Miller, Molly Savard, Pauline Holdsworth, Shay O’Reilly, Taylor Kuether, Whitney Allen, Zach Duffy

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R U O M O R F R A LETTE r o t c e r i d EXECUTIVE –

gaging sful years of en es cc su t gh ei er ft ress y year for us! A ampus Prog ar C , in ge rd an ao tr ch ex e iv an e made this eate progress This year was re thrilled to hav g people to cr e’ un W ! yo 3 g 1 n 0 2 zi f ili o ly neration. and mob rog ress in Ju e Millennial ge P th n o of ti se a ba er er en became G to reach a larg our campaigns g r n di n pa ex , leap ans through ou ic er m A g n u messaging .5 million yo leadership and more than 1 ed ed id g a ov g pr e en e av h w e officials In 2013, White House d organizing. W r an io y, n se lic h po it s, w n io met osted communicat student debt, h young people, d 0 an 20 ty ili an th ab e rd or ched a new s college affo trainings to m ssives, and laun bama!) to discus re O t og n pr de g si un re P yo g untry. 800 (includin es across the co e Progress, for ic ak vo M e , iv it ss m re m og su our annual for young, pr ress.org, the hub og pr the n ge , te si web ork on moving w r ou e nu ti n gress will co three core Generation Pro ed through our , am 14 fr s 20 n to ig in pa d m As we hea ugh issue ca Democracy. da forward thro en ag e iv ss ivil Rights, and re C d og pr an an um ic Justice, H works for all values: Econom economy that an g n ti ea cr solutions on k on long-term ork is focused or w w e ill ic w st e ju W . ic n ation atio Our econom able higher educ Millennial gener rd e fo th af ly to ar ul ss ic ce rt n to engage d increase ac Americans, pa student debt an ti-year campaig ul of m , en rd ew n bu a e y.” th unch to ease veryone Econom . And we’ll la “E bs an jo te y it ea al cr qu to h along wit d fiscal policy scussions aroun di in ghts, ls ia n en ill M for LGBTQ ri cy ca vo ad r includes ou , addressing l rights work ng gun violence vi ti ci en d ev an pr , an ct A nded in e Our hum st society grou Affordable Car ju e th e , or m rm fo a re g tin young immigration issues of crea ays to engage w er e h ot or pl d ex an ill , w g rights and campaigns climate change including votin Our democracy t, . en es m lu ge va ga e iv en ss progre s and civic electoral proces people in the ion. and civic participat s to engage rt fo ef r u o support in ive values! ing prog ress ur continued n io yo p r m fo a u ch s yo Thank American ices of young vo e th fy li p m a

Dear Supporter

Sincerely,

Anne Johnson Progress tor, Generation ec ir D ve ti cu xe E

2013: a year of change & progress From rebranding to launching new campaigns to transforming our annual conference, our team stayed busy in 2013. This year, we rebranded our organization, hosted our annual national conference for 800 young people, launched a new website, co-hosted local gun violence prevention summits across the country, conducted leadership and media trainings for more than 150 young people in our Journalism and Action Networks, and expanded our scope of work to include issues from immigration and LGBTQ rights to climate change and affordable education. With our new, expanded structure, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re now able to reach more people than ever before! As a leader in the progressive space for young adults, we have successfully engaged and educated more than a million Millennials from 50 states through our website, trainings, and events.

From attending press conferences in the Rose Garden to hosting trainings on campuses nationwide, Generation Progress works with young people who continue to advocate for issues important to our generation. We also have the opportunity to work with a variety of dynamic political leaders who are working on Millennial issues. This year, that included President Obama, Sen. Tom Harkin, Sen. Jack Reed, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Keith Ellison, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, among others.

Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a look at how we engaged some of our networks in 2013:

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REBRAND In July 2013, we changed our name to Generation Progress. After many successful years of engaging young Americans on campuses and in communities across the country, we knew it was time to ensure our brand represented young people of all ages and backgrounds. Started in 2005, Generation Progress has been an active part of progressive change happening around the country, touching more than 500 campuses and communities. Generation Progress has supported young people leading campaigns and student publications at the national and local levels, training young activists and journalists, and hosting more than 1,000 events. And through our website, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve reported on the impact young people are having and brought that news to millions of readers in the U.S. and around the world. Today, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re working harder than ever to represent the more than 95 million young people in the Millennial generation on issues including student debt, a strong economy, preventing gun violence, and ensuring affordable health care. Generation Progress staff, including Executive Director Anne Johnson and Campus Progress founder David Halperin, pose at the relaunch reception.

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EXCLUSIVE On July 15, POLITICO exclusively reported that Campus Progress would become Generation Progress at our annual conference that week.

Executive Director Anne Johnson with former U.S. Congressman Patrick Murphy, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, at the relaunch reception.

“

“How do we make sure an entire generation of young people feels like they’re part of the program we’re running? We wanted young people who are in their late twenties, early thirties, working in local communities on issues important to them, to feel they had a home within our organization. The brand that exists now is a great brand, but it’s really about expanding and broadening the base of people we work with.” – Anne Johnson, discussing rebrand in POLITICO

launched new website OUR FIRST MOBILE RESPONSIVE SITE

with large share buttons and content connected around issues, it’s our most engaging site ever.

EASILY SHARE, COMMENT, AND ENGAGE WITH POP-UPS AND RELATED CONTENT DESIGNED WITH USER FEEDBACK

users told us they wanted more control over navigation, and we built a new structure in response. page 9

STRUCTURE

IDEAS 4 37 policy & gov’t affairs

Generation Progress is composed of three teams — Ideas, Actions, and Voices — and works around three core values of Economic Justice, Civil & Human Rights, and Democracy.

Our Ideas team researches and develops youth-led policy solutions that offer our generation’s vision for a more just society. We also engage issue experts to develop progressive policy.

staff hired for new ideas team our new Ideas team filled out this year, with Sarah, Gurwin, Kurston, and Zenen joining the staff.

policy products published on creating an economy that works for everyone, LGBTQ rights, and federal fiscal policy.

35K page 10

POLICY REPORT READERS in 2013

policy director Sarah Audelo appeared on Fox News’ Hannity

2014

IDEAS TEAM | As we move into 2014, our policy and government affairs work will continue to create original policy products and advocate for Millennials in Washington, DC.

ACTIONS 10 advocacy & organizing

From college affordability, to LGBTQ equality, to rights for immigrant youth, our Action team works to ensure young people can grow as leaders and organizers, while engaging directly on issues to ensure their voices are heard in Washington.

member groups in our Action Network

a network of student/youth-led organizations focused on key issues, including: CalSERVE (CA), El Cambio (NC), Flordia Immigrant Youth Network, Georgia Gun Sense Coalition, Jr. Newtown Action Alliance (CT), Mississippi Alumni and Students for Sustainability, NATIONAL New York Students Rising, TRAINING SUMMIT Ohio Student Association

The Generation Progress Action Network at the national training summit in Washington, DC.

2014

ACTIONS TEAM | As we move into 2014, our Actions team will continue to educate and train hundreds of young people across the country through our national campaigns and Action Network.

with 48 attendees

ACTION NETWORK REGIONAL TRAININGS

conducted with our partner, Campus Camp Wellstone

sponsored publications in our Journalism Network (Voices Team)

based in 24 states, this network of student-run progressive media outlets receive funding and training from Generation Progress and reach more than 500,000 readers each month.

NATIONAL TRAINING SUMMIT

with 75 attendees and 24 speakers from ThinkProgress, BuzzFeed, TIME, Huffington Post, US News & World Report, and a policy briefing from the White House.

19 9 2014

ON-CAMPUS TRAININGS

NATIONAL PRESS CALLS

KEYNOTE SPEAKER TIMEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CALLIE SCHWEITZER

In 2013, we launched a trainer network that sends Journalism Network alumni to train current members on campus. In our first year of this program, we directly trained more than 500 students.

JOURNALISM NETWORK | This year, we will launch a year-long fellowship, given to a graduating editor from our Journalism Network, to work in our DC office and manage our student media trainings and work.

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VOICES 1028 73

communications & editorial

Through journalism and reporting, our Voices team spreads the word about our policy proposals, events, advocacy work, and the fight against those who oppose progressive values and ideals.

new editorial pieces published

326 175

including the Associated Press, Reuters, POLITICO, the Washington Post, Fox News, US News & World Report, The New Republic, The New York Times, the Kansas City Star, PolicyMic, the Wall Street Journal, and Al Jazeera America.

NATIONAL STATEMENTS

most popular search terms DREAM Act

Violence Against Women Statistics

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7,644

FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS

top facebook post in 2013 had 500,000 viral reach in first 24 hours.

YOUTUBE NEW VIDEOS readers 1,275,717 MINUTES 26 PRODUCED of GenProgress.org launched an instagram

Student Loan Forgiveness Act

For-Profit Colleges

new social followers

TWITTER FOLLOWERS

top followers: @CoryBooker, @HRC, @thehill, @O_Magazine, @PPFAQ

TOTAL EMAILS SENT

DAILY CLIP DIGESTS SENT

4184 12,730

684k

* with 23.98% average open rate and 6.67% average click rate.

1,421,323

national press hits for Generation Progress

targeted email blasts sent

2014

VOICES TEAM | In 2014, the Voices team will continue to uplift and amplify the voices of our generation on key issues like student debt, an economy that works for all, and health care. We will continue to expand our engagement through online platforms and national advocacy campaigns, support and train progressive journalists through our internal editorial program, and advance our messages through traditional and new media.

make progress national summit For the eighth year, we convened hundreds of young progressives for a two-day summit on public policy, organizing, and communications. We didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just change our name â&#x20AC;&#x201D; our annual conference got a whole new brand, too! Building on the immense success of previous years of Campus Progress National Conferences, we built the Make Progress National Summit. It was a new kind of summit, incorporating more trainings and networking and bringing together more than 30 sponsoring organizations to create a truly unique cross-sector event. As we continue to engage with millions of Millennials, our annual summit serves an important purpose: training and engaging young people across the country to effectively champion progressive policies, building a network of young activists, and strengthening relationships with movement leaders.

925 51

registered attendees

mainstage speakers including:

STATES REPRESENTED

speakers & trainers

Senator

TAMMYBALDWIN

ELIZABETHWARR

president’s welcome Representative

t istant to the Presiden

Special Ass

KeithEllison

DAVIDSIMAS

MSNBC Host

ALEXWAGNER

“

Hello, Generation Progress! I know you’re all gathered for the Make Progress National Summit, so I just wanted to congratulate everyone for the great work you’ve been doing to build the next generation of progressive leadership in this country. Together, you’re showing the world what your generation is made of. You’re standing up. You’re speaking out. And you’re proving that not only do you care deeply about the future of this country, but you’re also willing to do something about it.” – President Barack Obama, addressing attendees of the Make Progress National Summit 2013 via video

Representative

TULSIGABBARD

Facebook Co-Founder

CHRISHUGHES

Amy Dacey, EMILY’S List • Political Strategist Marlon Marshall • Center for American Progress President Neera Tanden • Sayu Bhojwani, New American Leaders Project • Nevada State Sen. Kelvin Atkinson • Rohit Chopra, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau • Center for American Progress Action Fund President Tom Perriello • Aneesh Chropa, former US Chief Technology Officer • Media Pundit Richard Fowler • Alexandra Acker-Lyons, Young Engagement Fund • Amanda Brown, Rock the Vote • Jamira Burley, Philadelphia Youth Commission • Joshua Field, Legal Progress • Ann Garcia, Center for American Progress • Colin Goddard, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence • Chris Hicks, Jobs with Justice • Sujatha Jahagirdar, Student PIRGs • Cristina Jimenez, United We Dream • Henry Kraemer, The Bus Federation • Jeff Krehely, Human Rights Campaign • Stephen Lerner, Student Debt Campaign • Tyler Lewis, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights • Amy Lin, Young Invincibles • Michael Linden, Center for American Progress • Lori Lodes, Center for American Progress Action Fund • Tiffany Loftin, United States Student Association • Brina Milikowsky, Mayors Against Illegal Guns • Courtney Mills, Fair Elections Legal Network • Ronnie Mosley, Student • Marco Quiroga, Immigration Equality Action Fund • Fred Redmond, United Steelworkers • Christina Sanders, Texas League of Young Voters • Matt Singer, The Bus Federation • Nelini Stamp, Working Families • Emily Sussman, Center for American Progress • Austin Thompson, Service Employees International Union • Deb Vagins, American Civil Liberties Union page 15

breakout panels We Are American: Why Fixing Immigration Is A Top Priority We Deserve Action: How Young People Are Leading The Push For Common-Sense Gun Reform Expanding Democracy: The War On Voting And The Fight To Be Heard

media coverage named to BizBash’s Washington’s Top Events of 2013 for a third consecutive year

Breaking Free From The Shackles: Reforming Our Student Loan System From The Bedroom To The Voting Booth: The Supreme Court And You

skills-based trainings Demystifying Policy: How to Frame the Change You Want … So People Will Listen! Best Practices for Lobbying and Talking to Elected Officials Media and Messaging that Moves People to Action Leadership Styles and Team Building Basics Making the Ask: How to Get the Volunteers, Money, and Movement You Need to Win

social media conversations

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The Richard Fowler Show broadcast live interviews from the national summit

pre-summit meeting

Building a Strong Vision for 2020: A Convening of Progressive Organizations

Convened More Than 30 Organizations & Foundations Discussing Outreach to Millennials & Connecting Young People to a Wide Range of Policy and Issue Campaigns

Discussed A Strong, Progressive Youth Agenda

And Necessary Infrastructure to Move Collective Vision in 2020

post-summit training day Convened Action Network, Journalism Network & Travel Scholarship Recipients To Discuss Best Practices for Youth Activism and Key Issues

Hosted Inequality for All Screening And Discussion on Economic Inequality

“

percent of attendees would recommend the conference to a friend ATTENDEES SAID: “Thanks for all your hard work! Can’t wait to come back next year.” “This was an amazing conference, and I hope everyone who attended is as heart-set as I am on making progress in my community!” “Elizabeth Warren! It’s really inspiring as a young woman who is considering going into politics to see such an intelligent, strong, and assertive woman making progress.”

hosted annual summer kick-off for 800 young people

partner organizations For the first time, Generation Progress expanded our conference to include dozens of co-sponsoring organizations, who participated in planning panels and trainings and provided crucial support. Our co-sponsoring organizations included:

2014

MAKE PROGRESS NATIONAL SUMMIT | For the ninth year, Generation Progress will host a national summit for young progressives in Washington, DC. Building on the success of our new brand, the Make Progress National Summit, we will continue to engage other organizations in our conference and seek input from young people across the country as we determine focus areas and keynote speakers. We have continued to keep admission to our conference free of charge and offer travel and lodging scholarships to ensure our summit is as diverse and representative.

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student debt Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re developing policy solutions to keep higher education affordable, while working to bring relief to millions of existing borrowers. Student debt now tops $1.2 trillionâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;more than credit card debt. Generation Progress is working to identify and advance smart policy solutions to this crisis, including refinancing and expanding income-based repayment programs. Our campaign for refinancing, called Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Our Interest, puts the millions of hardworking students and existing borrowers first, emphasizing economic stabilty and personal success over corporate profits. In 2013, we saw many indicators that our work was moving the needle across the country, from refinancing legislation introduced in Congress to state-level efforts to address college costs and high debt levels.

student loan

refinancing In February, we launched the It’s Our Interest campaign, an effort to build broad support for Congressional action that would allow Americans to refinance their education loans at lower interest rates. Setting the frame for this work is an issue brief, “It’s Our Interest: The Need to Reduce Student Loan Interest Rates,” which was provided to Capitol Hill stakeholders and partner organizations.

published national report on student loan refinaincing

“It’s Our Interest: The Need to Reduce Student Loan Interest Rates”

“

I'm pleased that I have the chance to work with CAP to take on one of the biggest challenges that we fight today, and that is the massive student loan debt crisis we have.” – Sen. Kristen Gillibrand, speaking at a Generation Progress Action event in June 2013

subsequent legislation The Responsible Student Loan Solutions Act Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Rep. John Tierney (D-MA)

Federal Student Loan Refinancing Act Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)

successful social media campaign including shareables:

H.R. 3047, student-loan refinancing proposal Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI)

Refinancing Education Funding to Invest (REFI) for the Future Act Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH)

campaign launch

NATIONAL PRESS CLIPS

EXPLAINER VIDEO

CONSTITUENCY FACT SHEETS page 19

passing legislation bipartisan student loan certainty act In 2013, we worked to ensure Congress acted to prevent interest rates on Stafford student loans from doubling for millions of students across the country. Working with partner organizations, Hill advocates, and the administration, we successfully achieved legislation that kept rates low and prevented severe spikes in future years.

STUDENT DEBT LOBBY DAY

100 participants 40

50 plus

published state reports on student debt and the potential impact of a Stafford loan rate increase

STATE-BASED SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLKITS

MEETINGS WITH CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES

and drop-bys with 70 other offices

executive director Anne Johnson on Fox Business and PBS NewsHour

communications director Brian Stewart appeared on HuffPost Live and participated in a press conference with Senators Harkin, Warren, Reed, and Franken

NATIONAL MEDIA INTERVIEWS

Generation Progress interns stand behind President Obama during a Rose Garden speech on student loan interest rates.

page 20

executive director Anne Johnson joined President Obama at the bill signing

higher ed, not debt working together to address student debt In 2013, Generation Progress worked extensively to build a national student debt campaign with aligned organizations called Higher Ed, Not Debt. To date, more than 60 organizations have participated in the campaign development process. This includes policy development, local and state-based organizing, online engagement, communications, and research.

published state reports on Wall Street profits

participating organizations

from student debt and institutional debt

state tables

campaign core areas Assisting Current Borrowers (Who Now Hold More Than $1.2 Trillion In Education Debt)

Addressing College Affordability & Quality

Preventing Banks and Corporations From Profiting Off Students

Civic Engagement / Political Participation Engaging Candidates on Student Debt

2014

Ohio

New York

Wisconsin

national/regional meetings

For New and Current Students

Limiting the Role of Wall Street

California

NATIONAL MEETINGS

• National Strategy Meeting in Georgia to bring together individuals from varying sectors to create a joint agenda on student debt work. • Three-Day Alignment Retreat in Baltimore to form a comprehensive set of goals for the campaign and identify individual/organization’s roles.

REGIONAL MEETINGS

• In summer 2013, meetings in New York City, San Francisco, and Chicago brought 35-50 people to each meeting to develop regional and state organizing infrastructure to effectively mobilize around student debt.

STUDENT DEBT | In 2014, we will publicly launch this student debt campaign, including the website www.HigherEdNotDebt.org. We will continue to work to shift the media narrative around student debt to include the broad economic consequences of growing debt, as well as the role of Wall Street and the privatization of higher education. Our work in states will expand, as the campaign works to advance state-level efforts in concert with our national movement. Additionally, we will work to advance federal and state policies and regulations that will result in increased funding for student aid programs and bringing down costs of college, refinancing of student loans, and improved consumer protections for borrowers.

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Progressive economics Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re developing policy solutions to create an economy that works for every American. Our work around progressive economic growth focused on educating and engaging our generation on the role of the federal government in creating economic stability and opportunity for young Americans. Through innovative policy ideas, research, online and offline engagement, and events, we work with young people to develop and promote a comprehensive strategy to expand the presence of our generation in the middle class.

hosted NATIONAL SUMMIT ON YOUNG PEOPLE & THE ECONOMY

SUMMIT ATTENDEES

from non-profit organizations, federal agencies, young elected officials, and academia.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER SEN. CHRIS MURPHY

svante Enacting a progressive economic model in upstate New York can be a lonely endeavor—particularly for a 26-yearold Mayor. That’s why I jumped at the invitation for the ‘Generation Progress: Millenials and the Economy’ summit. I was excited to work with young leaders in the field of economics, government, business and non-profits. I was eager to learn from my peers and to contribute to the national conversation. I walked away with a set of new skills that will allow me to enact a vision for middle out growth and a vocabulary that’s enabled me to more effectively sell the vision. At the summit I was able to meet with young economist Thomas Herndon, who’s work as a graduate student decimated the academic support for austerity worldwide. I was also able to meet and speak with the youngest member of the United States Senate, Chris Murphy. His proposals on education would drastically reduce the cost of a secondary education. I walked away from the summit better informed and more inspired—but perhaps most importantly I walked away knowing that I was not alone. I left Washington with the knowledge that there is a group of young leaders from all over the country battling for a more just and productive economy—and they’re doing it with the support of Generation Progress.

published 19 reports on Millennials & the economy from youth unemployment to social security to apprenticeships, this work covered federal fiscal policy and the impact it has on our generation.

published

151

PIECES OF CONTENT

on fiscal policy & the economy

– Svante Myrick, 26, mayor of Ithaca, N.Y., and Millennials & Economy Summit attendee

hosted 5 screenings of documentary Inequality for All

2014

PROGRESSIVE ECONOMICS | Our work on the economy will continue to center on policies that create an economy that works for everyone, not just a wealthy few. In addition to policy, we will host national and state summits in 2014 on economic growth, continue to conduct new research on Millennial attitudes on middle class and the role of the government, and launch a robust online organizing effort around these issues.

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health care Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re working to educate young adults on the Affordable Care Act, ensuring Millennials know how theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll benefit from the landmark law. Generation Progress has a unique and crtitical opportunity to educate and engage with young Americans on the healthcare reform law and the importance of affordable insurance options and enrollment. In 2013, Generation Progress worked closely with partner organizations like Young Invincibles, Enroll America, National Campus Leadership Council, the United States Student Association, and PolicyMic.com, to educate and engage with Millennials on this issue. Our work included an emphasis on communications, outreach, and messaging to educate our generation about the Affordable Care Act.

published EDUCATIONAL CONTENT ON BUZZFEED

participated in WHITE HOUSE YOUTH SUMMIT ON THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT

Executive Director Anne Johnson poses with President Obama and other youth advocates at a White House summit on the Affordable Care Act.

partnered with DOCTOR’S FOR AMERICA TO HOST WEBINARS ON ENROLLMENT produced REGULAR SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS

In December, the White House hosted a Youth Summit to discuss the benefits of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The event was attended by college student body presidents, activists, DJs, business owners, and community organizers. President Obama opened the summit by calling on attendees to share the information learned at the summit with their friends, families and communities. Executive Director of Generation Progress Anne Johnson was invited to speak on a panel about ACA youth engagement. The panel was moderated by PolicyMic’s co-founder and Editor-in-Chief, Jake Horowitz. Panelists included Aaron Smith (Young Invincibles), Amanda Brown (Rock the Vote), Jeremy Nordquist (Nebraska State Senator), and Ashley Allison (Enroll America). During the panel, Anne Johnson discussed how the ACA is great for Millennials, especially young women due to provisions such as access to birth control without co-pays. As a whole, the event was a huge success in engaging young people and community organizers on the ACA and what it means for young people. page 25

published

PIECES OF CONTENT

on health care and young Americans

video feature explaining details of the ACA

press statements & media coverage

published OP-EDs + FACT SHEETS

pushing back on efforts to discourage young people from enrolling page 26

AMIR “

The rollout of the healthcare exchange website is a turning point for the Affordable Care Act, known to millions as Obamacare. Generation Progress saw the rollout of the website as an opportunity to inform people about the law, and encourage them to enroll in a health care plan. Through blog posts and feature stories, Generation Progress published many high content stories and reports that have been read and shared by thousands. As “The campaign a writer, my goal is to ensure that I has been one am doing all I can based on facts and to correct common misperceptions personal stories.” surrounding the law. The campaign has been one based on facts and personal stories. Writing about how other Millennials are benefiting from the law inspires many others to explore their options and see how they can benefit from the law. The people I’ve spoken with were delighted that they were going to be insured; for some it would be their first time ever. I spoke to a young pregnant woman who no longer has to worry about paying for doctor visits and affording steep costs associated with pregnancy because of her enrollment. I spoke to Millennials who have preexisting conditions and are happy now that they are no longer being discriminated against. I spoke to others who are just happy that they are paying an affordable price for health insurance after their federal subsidy. These stories and reports highlight the need for access to quality and affordable healthcare as we enter into 2014. There is still plenty of work that is required as implementation of the ACA continues throughout the new year and beyond.” – Amir Salehzadeh is a health care reporter for GenProgress.org, a student at the University of California–Berkeley, and a former GP intern

SHOWCASING ENROLLMENT STORIES

top posts

Our team of reporters across the country worked to highlight stories of young Americans who were enrolling in health care plans through the insurance exchanges. For some, it was their first time being covered in years, others now had coverage despite pre-existing conditions, and others were getting better plans at lower rates.

2014

HEALTH CARE | Generation Progress will continue to educate young Americans on the Affordable Care Act through our editorial and online work. We will also work to create new resources for young Americans on the benefits of the health care reform law and work with partners on this crucial issue. page 27

preventing gun violence Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re working to make our campuses and communities safer, pushing for common-sense solutions to our gun violence epidemic. As we continue to highlight how young people are disproportionately impacted by gun violence, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re working to enable Millennials across the country with the tools they need to advocate on this issue. From sharing their stories to contacting their representatives, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re enabling young Americans to stand up and speak out. We believe that common-sense gun laws are necessary, as do the overwhelming majority of Americans. Coordinating with partner organizations, we continue to support young activists and uplift young voices on this critical issue.

published

108

PIECES OF CONTENT

on gun violence and young Americans, including interactive guides and visuals:

SEN. CORY BOOKER YOUNG ACTIVIST CALL Action Network members Ronnie Mosley (Students for Georgia Gun Sense) and Sarah Clements (Junior Newtown Action Alliance) hosted a national call with Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) to discuss the importance of youth activism in the fight to end gun violence.

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It’s a fight for America. We’ve got to get organized. We’ve got to do a better job. It’s time to liberate communities from the fear of gun violence. We can beat the gun lobby, and we can win this battle. We can join together to make the difference that must be made and reduce gun violence in this country.” – Sen. Cory Booker, speaking on a Generation Progress young activist call in December 2013

RONNIE “

The Georgia Gun Sense Coalition was formed as a group of concerned citizens and organizations in Georgia that promote common sense gun policy and work to prevent gun violence in our communities. Generation Progress provided resources for us to host a summit at the state capitol where we framed our messaging and strengthened relations with all partners. At the core of the this coalition are youth from colleges throughout Georgia. The Millennials Movement serves as a youth think tank that impacts policy, influences societal culture, and directs the new generation of politics. When we attended the Action Network Summit in DC, we learned how to fundraise, influence thoughts through social media, and tips to strengthen our weaknesses after a peer evaluation. – Ronnie Mosley is a student a Morehouse College in Georgia and a member of the Generation Progress Action Network page 29

REGIONAL SUMMITS

hosted with the Center for American Progress Action Fund

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hosted

REGIONAL SUMMITS

focused on educating, strategizing, and organizing around gun reform

733

TOTAL ATTENDEES

from 216 organizations

participated in #NoMoreNames Gun Violence Vigil on Capitol Hill, reading the names of victims killed by gun violence

(above) young people from Newtown, CT, wrote personal stories on gun violence and youth activism for our annual magazine.

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I do feel, as the youngest U.S. Senator, a responsibility to speak for voters who are in their teens or 20s or 30s. Whether we’re talking about gun violence, which tends to affect teenagers more so than any other age group, or we’re talking about student loan policy, which tends to affect people in their 20s more than any other age group, young people across this country need some stronger voices in the Senate and in the House. Hopefully, I can be one of those effective voices.” – Sen. Chris Murphy, in an interview with Generation Progress

2014

PREVENTING GUN VIOLENCE | In 2014, we will continue partnering with other organizations, helping to create a national youth engagement strategy for pushing common-sense reforms to our nation’s gun laws. In early 2014, Generation Progress will begin by convening dozens of young leaders from across the country in Washington, DC, for a multi-day summit to tackle this issue and strategize around an organizing campaign.

SARAH “

Jr. Newtown Action Alliance was first connected with Generation Progress at the beginning of the summer in 2013. We were attempting to put on our first official event in the community, and Generation Progress went above and beyond in helping us out. Not only did they help us organize and promote well, but they later reached out to us after the event and wrote an article for their website about our success. Since then, we have been in constant contact with Generation Progress. They have helped us publish countless articles online, including one in the Huffington Post. The team at Generation Progress even helped me (the Chair of Jr. NAA) prepare for being on live television for the first time. They send email blasts to subscribers to spread the word about our projects, and when we come to Washington, D.C. to lobby Congress on gun reform, CAP and GenProg are always there to help Newtown Action Alliance with anything we need. We have also received a grant from Generation “This project could Progress to work on a large never happen without project in Connecticut this school year, and therefore have Generation Progress. joined their Action Network which has already proven to be We are incredibly an amazing opportunity. grateful for their help, Now, we are collaborating on a huge initiative together, support and resources.” an idea which started in the fall of 2013 on a conference call and has since morphed into a launch featuring Senator Cory Booker, networking with Millennials around the country who want to work on this issue, hosting a summit in D.C. this coming February, and creating a toolkit for other young people to use to start groups on their campuses. This project could never happen without Generation Progress, so we are incredibly grateful for their help, support, and resources. Jr. Newtown Action Alliance would not be where it is today without them.” – Sarah Clements is chair of the Jr. Newtown Action Alliance, a Generation Progress Action Network member, and a student at Newtown High School

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immigration Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re working to give the hardworking young folks in our country a fair shot at citizenship and the American Dream. Our work around immigration includes pushing for comprehensive immigration reform and advancing a state-level strategy for creating tuition equity for undocumented students. We have continued to advocate for comprehensive reform, and we are supporting local youth across the country who are working to advance both federal and state-level legislation.

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published

PIECES OF CONTENT

on the environment, climate change, and global warming

KEEGAN “

Envision began in November of 2011 as a student group of the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication. Originally we were a group of students focused on raising awareness about environmental and sustainability issues, and within six months of our founding, we launched an online publication dedicated to that cause. Our topics range from steps that individuals can take to help with environmental preservation and sustainability to large national and international issues like fracking and climate change. Our goal is to educate readers on “Not every fledgling how precious the world is around them publication is lucky and to teach them how to care for it. enough to encounter Last year, we such an enthusiastic applied to join Generation and supportive network the Progress Journalism Network, taking a as we have.” cue from our fellow Generation Progress publication at the University of Oregon, Ethos Magazine. We were accepted and were invited to the Generation Progress Journalism Summit in Washington, D.C., where our publisher met with editors and student leaders from around the country and built up networks with other student publications that still hold strong today. In addition to training and connections with others around the country, we receive funding from Generation Progress, which has helped our fairly new publication acquire better equipment and publishing tools, including the means for us to publish our very first issue on a tablet. Not every fledgling publication is lucky enough to encounter such an enthusiastic and supportive network as we have; we definitely count ourselves among the fortunate few. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Generation Progress as we work to advance the issue of climate change and environmental protection.” – Keegan Clements-Housser is the publisher of Envision, a student-run media organization focused on environmental journalism at the University of Oregon; Envision is a member of the Generation Progress journalism network

FROM OUR ACTION NETWORK

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In September, the Mississippi Alumni and Students for Sustainability (MASS), an Action Network group, organized a rally in solidarity with 350.org and hundreds of other local and regional organizations across the globe. The MASS rally was held at the Mississippi State Capitol and had over 30 people in attendance. We called on President Obama to stop the Keystone XL pipeline and we called out the Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant for proposing tar sands extraction from the Hartselle Sandstone in Mississippi and Alabama. We had at least two local media hits and a great feature on the Sierra Club website (written by one of our MASS members).”

FROM OUR JOURNALISM NETWORK

– Taylor Cook is president of Mississippi Alumni and Students for Sustainability

2014

CLIMATE CHANGE | In 2014, Generation Progress will continue to work on the importance issue of climate change. In addition to supporting this work through our Journalism and Action Networks and essential reporting and engagement through our national website, we’ll explore how green jobs play a role in creating a strong economy that works for everyone. page 37

DEMOCRACY We are working to ensure that voter suppression efforts are halted and make voting and civic participation easier, while building infrastructure for years to come. By 2020, the Millennial generation, 95 million strong, will make up one-third of our electorate. Engaging in our democracy by voting ensures that we are able to advocate for human and civil rights and justice for every young American. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re working to build a strong infrastructure to support a growing, progressive movement that involves young Americans together with other organizations. We continue to support efforts to help young Americans register to vote, and work to educate our audience about the impacts of voter suppression efforts, including the wave of state-level Voter ID laws that disproportionately impact young Americans, people of color, and college students.

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While it may sound like Millennials are becoming more centrist, the truth is that they are still very progressive. What’s changed is that Americans are embracing progressive policies as core beliefs. As these progressive values become more mainstream, their supporters naturally see themselves in a similar light. Young people have been strongly progressive for years and, as the country embraces these values, they will be seen as mainstream beliefs and pave the way for moving our country forward. Millennials clearly made the difference in the 2012 election and will continue to do so for decades to come.”

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– Anne Johson, in a POLITICO op-ed Our most-read story of 2012 was this exclusive coverage of comments made by Ann Coulter, encouraging that young people and women be disenfranchised. It continued to perform well in 2013.

partnered with ROCK THE VOTE TO MAKE NON-PARTISAN GET-OUT-THE-VOTE CALLS

press statements & media coverage

2014

VOTING RIGHTS & DEMOCRACY | 2014 will be a critical year for young people to participate in the electoral process. Our work will center around educating and engaging young people in the political process through innovative campaigns to encouarage them to vote. We will continue to publish policy reports on voter protections, and work to pushback on efforts to disenfranchise.

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