Civic Education Series, “After the Vote – Beyond the Election”
Democracy Doesn’t End on Election Day
At Sojourn Project II, we believe civic education is more than casting a ballot, it’s about what happens next. This program inspires year-round participation in civic life. Through community workshops and school-based sessions, participants learn how to engage in civic processes beyond voting — from local policy involvement to service and advancement.
After the Vote – Beyond the Election series helps communities understand how local government works, how to organize around issues, and how to build bridges that lead to lasting change.
Outcomes:
- Increased civic literacy and local participation.
- Leadership development for youth and adults.
- Statewide power-sharing and collaboration.
Because true democracy isn’t seasonal, it’s a shared responsibility
Be part of the movement
*Civic Education Matters Now*
Lack of civic literacy is widespread:
- More than 70 % of Americans failed a basic civics quiz on topics such as the three branches of government and legislative processes*
- Only 22 % of U.S. eighth graders scored at or above proficiency in civics on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)**
- Americans aged 18–24 lack basic civic knowledge. Indicating that many young people graduate without the civic understanding expected for active citizenship.
* U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. New Study Finds Alarming Lack of Civic Literacy Among Americans.
** National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Civics Assessment Results.
K–9 SMART Literacy
Social Media Awareness, Responsibility and Trust
“A Story Can Change a Child’s Future.”
When a child opens a book, they open the door to confidence, imagination, and possibility.
SPII K–9 SMART Literacy program recognizes that critical thinking is the cornerstone of digital learning. In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, students must be prepared not only to consume information but to interrogate it thoughtfully. SMART develops higher-order thinking skills that support academic achievement across disciplines while reinforcing habits of inquiry, reflection, and responsible participation.
For K-9 students, critical thinking in technology involves actively evaluating and questioning digital tools and information to solve problems, identify bias, assessing risks (ex. cybersecurity threats), and making informed decisions about what to use or trust.
Outcomes:
- Sojourn Project II employs a data-driven evaluation framework aligned with DPI expectations, utilizing formative and summative assessments to measure student growth, instructional effectiveness, and program impact. Findings are used to inform continuous improvement, ensure instructional fidelity, and support academic and social-emotional outcomes.
- SMART Literacy Education (Social Media Awareness, Responsibility, and Trust) incorporates content within English Language Arts (ELA).
- The SMART program strengthens traditional literacy instruction by teaching students how to critically read, responsibly write, and ethically engage across print and digital platforms.
Need for Literacy Support
Reading proficiency remains a critical educational indicator with long-term implications for academic success, workforce readiness, and community wellbeing. Despite statewide gains in early literacy, many students still struggle to maintain reading skills beyond early grades, and district-level data from Guilford County shows proficiency below national benchmarks in later grades. In 2024, students who were identified as economically disadvantaged had an average score that was 31 points lower than that for students who were identified as not economically disadvantaged1.
1. https://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard
Our Goals: Through hands-on activities, questioning, and connecting tech use to real-world impacts, that moves beyond just how to use tools to how to think about them. It’s about becoming discerning users, not just proficient operators.
Your support today and help us turn the page toward progress
Arts & History in Motion
Art is a universal language that connects people. SPII Arts Initiative supports local artists and fosters international collaborations that showcase creativity and culture.
- Local and international festival participation and cultural performances that celebrate diversity.
“When History Comes Alive, So Does Understanding.”
Imagine walking through a museum with a historian who lived the moment.
Imagine hearing or seeing an artist perform or telling the story behind a piece that changed the course of history. That’s what History in Motion is all about, bridging past and present through guided visits, art, historical sites and personal stories that inspire civic awareness and pride.
Highlights:
- Integrated Learning & Context: Participants experience history and art together through guided visits to historical sites, museums, libraries, institutions, and galleries, gaining a deeper understanding of how artistic expression reflects cultural, social, and historical movements.
- Critical Engagement & Perspective: Local travel encourages active learning, dialogue, and reflection, helping participants connect past and present, recognize diverse narratives, and develop informed perspectives on history, culture, and identity.
- Community Connection & Relevance: Engagement with local cultural institutions strengthens ties to the community, highlights the relevance of art and history in everyday life, and inspires civic awareness, cultural stewardship, and lifelong learning.
Result:
A vibrant platform for creativity, cultural storytelling, and global dialogue.
Give today to keep history alive
International Academic Partnerships & Internship Opportunities
SPII builds bridges between local learning and global experiences. We partner with universities and institutions to provide student, adult and research exploration exchanges and community service projects.
Participants gain:
Cross-cultural leadership skills, practical academic and service experience, Expanded global and career networks. Our international work strengthens understanding between communities and contributes to a more interconnected world.
Outcomes:
SPII international work strengthens understanding between communities and contributes to a more interconnected world.
I now know music can take me places, I never imagined performing at the Cathedral de la Habana, 39th Jazz Festival, in Havana, Cuba.
— Student choir member from
Livingstone College, January 26, 2024.
Interning
The SPII Internship Program is intentionally designed to immerse participants at the intersection of personal passion and professional purpose. Interns are not placed into generic roles; instead, they engage in hands-on, mission-driven work that aligns with their individual interests, whether in education and research, the arts, or international outreach. Through guided mentorship, real-world project ownership, and exposure to nonprofit leadership, interns translate their passions into practical skills, measurable outcomes, and viable career pathways. This immersive experience builds confidence, deepens civic and global awareness, and equips participants to move forward with clarity, credibility, and a strong sense of purpose.
Sojourn Project II thrives through collaboration. We welcome collaborations and partner with schools, colleges and universities, community and civic organizations, with a shared vision in education, engagement, and equity.
Your contribution today fuels stories of change, connection, and hope.
Give today … because every journey is a sojourn
At Sojourn Project II, we believe learning does not end at the classroom door or at the ballot box. It continues in our communities, our cultural spaces, and our global connections. We create opportunities for individuals and families to grow as informed citizens, confident learners, and engaged leaders by transforming education into lived experience and shared responsibility.
Be part of the movement for education and global citizenship.
Get Involved
Your involvement makes a difference — locally and globally.
Dr. and Ms. Crockett’s leadership was transformative for me. I walked away with practical skills, renewed professional confidence, and a clear, achievable path toward my career goals. The experiences weren’t just learning, it was growth that produced real results.”
— Pastor LaThaniel Kirts, Master of Divinity
Your generosity fuels everything we do from civic education to arts, literacy and global programs that inspire the next generation of thinkers, voters, and visionaries. When you give to Sojourn Project II, you’re not just donating you’re investing in transformation.