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CAMDEN
TO
CONGRESS

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Through Saturday workshops, hands-on projects, in-person engagements, and a capstone trip to Washington, D.C., students gain real-world skills in public speaking, advocacy, and civic engagement while connecting directly with elected officials, organizers, and government staffers of color.

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Please submit applications to ashly@movitricolor.org

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Quick Snapshot

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  • ✅ 100% FREE: Meals and travel included 

  • 🧑🏽‍💻 12-week hybrid format

  • 📆 Virtual Saturdays from 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

  • ✨ In-person events

  • 🏫 Open to current high school students in Camden or surrounding areas (grades 9–12)

  • 👥 12-person cohort maximum

  • 🧳 Capstone trip to Washington, D.C. with congressional and White House staffers

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What You’ll Gain

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  • Confidence in public speaking and storytelling

  • Insight into how government works—from local to federal

  • Direct access to changemakers from Congress, City Hall, and beyond

  • Mentorship and exposure to civic career pathways

  • Verified volunteer/service hours for participation in in-person events

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2025 KEY DATES & TIMELINE

SESSION
TOPICS

  • July 19 – Session 1: Orientation & Naming Power + Mapping Systems

  • August 2 – Session 2: How do systems show up and who changes them?

  • August 9 – Session 3: State Systems & Structural Power

  • August 10–30 – Independent Civic Engagement Weeks

  •    Participants will complete three self-guided projects:

  •    (Optional virtual office hours will be available during this period.)

  • September 6 – Session 4: Federal Power: Systems at Scale

  • September 13 – Session 5: Disrupting Systems: Strategy & Action

  • September 20 – Session 5: People Who Move Systems (Panel) 

  • September 27 – Session 7: Final Projects & Reflection

  • October 11 – Session 8: D.C. Trip Prep & Cohort Celebration (Power in Proximity)

ELIGIBILITY

  • Must be enrolled in grades 9–12

  • Must attend a high school within the Camden City School District or surrounding areas

  • Must commit to attending all sessions

  • Technology Access: Students will need access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet access to participate in virtual sessions and complete assignments

HOW TO  APPLY

  • Submit completed fillable or paper application

  • Include brief essay responses

  •  Parental consent and media release forms

AFTER APPLYING

  • You will be notified that your application has been received and is being reviewed. 

  • If accepted, you’ll receive next steps and a deadline to confirm your spot.

  • All accepted students receive an onboarding packet with full details.

MEET
THE 
LEAD

Led by Ashly Estevez-Perez, a Camden-raised policy advisor, nonprofit founder, and nationally recognized advocate with 8+ years of federal government experience. As a formerly undocumented immigrant, Ashly navigated systems she was never meant to access eventually serving in both the U.S. Congress and the Biden-Harris Administration. Her leadership is rooted in deep commitment to Camden, lived experience, and policy expertise.

SUPPORT THIS WORK

Want to support youth leadership in Camden? 

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