William Henry :
In a meaningful effort to strengthen civic participation among immigrant and language communities, Save The People USA (STPUSA) participated in the NYC Civic Engagement Commission’s first convening, Building Civic Power Across Communities, held on May 18.
The gathering brought together community-based organizations, civic leaders, voter assistance teams, and members of the Language Assistance Advisory Committee (LAAC) to discuss how New York’s diverse communities can become more engaged in public life. Leaders representing more than 12 language communities took part in the convening.
Representing Save The People USA, Imam Muhammad Shahidullah, CEO of STPUSA and a member of LAAC, joined the organization’s team, the Voter Assistance Program team, fellow LAAC members, and other community leaders for the discussion. The event focused on identifying challenges, gaps, lessons learned, advocacy strategies, and collaborative plans to increase civic participation.
The convening emphasized that language access is central to democracy. For many immigrant communities, limited English proficiency can create barriers to voting, public services, and civic participation. By bringing together organizations that work directly with these communities, the event created space for practical solutions rooted in lived experience.
For STPUSA, the event aligned closely with its mission of uplifting immigrant voices and supporting community empowerment. The organization’s participation reflected its ongoing commitment to helping residents access information, understand civic systems, and engage more confidently in decision-making processes.
The impact of the convening extended beyond one meeting. By connecting CBOs across language communities, the event strengthened partnerships that can support future outreach, voter education, and advocacy efforts.
As New York continues to grow as one of the world’s most diverse cities, initiatives like Building Civic Power Across Communities highlight the importance of inclusion, representation, and accessible civic engagement. For Save The People USA, the message was clear: stronger communities are built when every voice has the tools and opportunity to be heard.
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