Community Voices Academy

The Community Voices Academy (CVA) was The Coalition‘s pilot advocacy and policy engagement training program for District residents with lived experiences. The CVA was designed to structurally and systematically uplift the voices and perspectives of under-represented residents with lived experiences surrounding affordable housing, supportive services, and/or workforce development training and programs.

Participants in the CVA received in-person training through a comprehensive curriculum touching on advocacy, community engagement, community leadership, and local public policy. The CVA worked in partnership with The Coalition’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 served as a vital liaison between The Coalition, 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 were able to cultivate, motivate, and engage their neighbors to take action on issues that impact them the most.

The Coalition continues to take 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. After the pilot initiative ended, the Community Voices Academy expanded into the Resident Engagement Network,  a hands-on, rewards-based resident engagement and advocacy training initiative.