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Dear Jack:
More quickly than you might have thought possible, we had to pivot.
As one of the nation’s leading in-person hubs for civic engagement and education, the Kennedy Institute had to reimagine everything. Since we had to close the building for several months over the spring and summer as a result of the pandemic, we knew we could not miss a beat. Our Senate Chamber visitor opportunities evolved quickly into virtual experiences for students, educators, and families.
We reopened this fall and now can safely welcome groups back, and we're delighted about that. But we also are excited that virtual programming has been successful and is here to stay, allowing us to offer programs to young people wherever they live or go to school.
 Perhaps Emily Silas, a 27-year veteran teacher of grades 11 and 12 at Boston English High School, said it best. “It was really great. They were so into it,” she said. As each student chose a state in the country to represent, Silas added, “The kids felt like their voices were heard –– which is notable because so many of them were only speaking through the ‘chat.’”
Dennis Frank, another veteran teacher from a middle school outside Schenectady, New York, added that the Kennedy Institute “is a professional organization that’s extremely well run, capable of engaging 13- and 14-year-olds in a way they may not expect…”
All in the middle of a pandemic.
We need your support to continue this important work. Your gift will help us to increase our reach, grow our impact, and play a central role in advancing civic engagement at a time of great need and interest.
Since its founding, the Kennedy Institute has been guided by the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s belief that civic engagement and a participatory citizenry are critical to the democratic process. Others before you have made a charitable investment in advancing this work. Will you consider a gift as well, perhaps $100, $50, or an amount that is right for you?
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