Community Voices Academy

The Community Voices Academy (CVA) is CNHED’s premier advocacy and policy engagement training program for District residents with lived experiences. The CVA is designed to structurally and systematically uplift the voices and perspectives of Black and Brown under-resourced District residents with lived experiences surrounding affordable housing, supportive services, and/or workforce development trainings and programs.

Participants in the CVA receive in-person training through a comprehensive curriculum touching on advocacy, community engagement, community leadership, and local public policy. The CVA works in partnership with CNHED’s public policy team to engage directly with local leaders and policymakers, develop solutions and budget recommendations, and participate in other channels of policy engagement, including advocacy events, rallies, public hearings, and more.

The CVA serves as a vital liaison between CNHED, our members, and the residents most impacted by the District’s budget and policy choices surrounding affordable housing and community economic development. As trusted advocates within their communities, CVA members are able to cultivate, motivate, and engage their neighbors to take action on issues that impact them the most. CNHED takes pride in our partnership with residents and community leaders and is committed to directly integrating their voices into our organizational and policy decision-making process.