We’re shifting power and broadening the leadership pipeline
At Next Up, we work to get young people organizing in community for life.
Youth organizing is about the reimagination of education and the conditions in which the intersections of Black, Indigenous, youth of color, disabled youth, low-income youth, immigrant, queer youth, trans, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming youth, and youth survivors are centered and prioritized.
Our work develops and scaffolds a youth organizing movement where young people (13-35):
- build an understanding of our collective power and have opportunities to stand in our identities while organizing for the most marginalized members of our communities “to disrupt systems of oppression within themselves, their communities, and the institutions they are apart of and will be apart of in the future”
- create self-determined and autonomous movements while defining what it means to act and move within current oppressive systems while shifting power.
- are supported to build their own grassroots campaigns outside of Next Up while contributing to and guiding our organizing and civic engagement efforts
Our programs and internships are all paid at $20 an hour, and are free to participate in. Read more about each opportunity below.
Civic Engagement Internships
Election Organizers
Each election cycle we hire Election Organizers to contact young Oregonians ages 18-29 to assist in making vote ready plans. They help reach out to thousands of young people across Oregon to turn out the youth vote, help elect progressive candidates to key seats, and pass necessary ballot measures through virtual phone calls and voter contact.
Youth Vote Organizer
It is more important than ever that civic education, helpful information on how to vote, and voter registration is brought to Oregon classrooms, and is being presented in a relevant and impactful way. Youth Vote Interns are instrumental in helping reach hundreds of students for voter registration.
Cohorts for Teenagers Ages 13 – 18
UPTURN
organizing 101
UPTURN is a paid 6-week workshop series that develops and builds the knowledge and skills of young people interested in learning the origins of social justice, social movements, and building power within themselves in order to show up for and within their community. At its core, this is an introductory course to organizing 101.
The program runs twice a year, both in the Fall and Spring.
Youth Action Team
Youth led social change
This collective of teenagers has monthly meetings to work on issues they care about the most. By engaging in our organizing work, young people are getting hands on experience on making real changes within our community.
Applications are closed for Fall 2023 through Summer 2024.
Cohorts for Ages 18 – 35
UPTURN
organizing 101
UPTURN is a paid 6-week workshop series that develops and builds the knowledge and skills of young people interested in learning the origins of social justice, social movements, and building power within themselves in order to show up for and within their community. At its core, this is an introductory course to organizing 101.
The program runs twice a year, both in the Fall and Spring.
Community Action Team
Youth led social change
This group meets once a month to help knock doors, call voters, engage in visibility events, organize fundraisers, and develop their own projects. They’ve also helped bring year-round community-centered events on topics like voter education, civic engagement, art and activism, criminal justice reform, and more. If you want an opportunity to learn about political organizing, voter registration, direct action, and event planning, go fill out the volunteer form to join the team.
Applications are closed for Fall 2023 through Summer 2024.