Building on years of relationship-building in Dayton, the Dayton Tenant Union (DTU) partnered with the Kettering Foundation and Sunlight Village to close a gap: residents interested in canvassing and voter engagement often had no chance to learn more about local government, elections, and civic history. Together, Kettering Dayton Democracy Fellows from DTU and Sunlight Village created a civic engagement training designed by Dayton residents, for Dayton residents, so neighbors can feel prepared to talk with family and friends about why participation matters.
Twenty West Dayton residents took part in the six-session training at Sunlight Village. They learned how government works, the history of voting rights and voter suppression, and what to expect on Election Day, through hands-on activities like a mock election and drawing gerrymandered maps. With help from guest speakers from local community organizations, participants left more confident, better informed, and ready to bring what they learned back to their neighborhoods.
