Make the Road New York (MRNY) is an organization that empowers Latinos and working class communities to achieve dignity and justice through organizing, policy innovation, transformative education, civil rights advocacy, survival services, and seeking justice in housing and employment opportunities. In seeking justice, MRNY facilitates community organization, leadership development, adult education, and legal support. They engage in public advocacy and formulation of legislative and policy changes at the city, state, and national levels. [1]
Part of MRNY’s work engages and empowers youth through weekly Youth Power Project meetings. The youth, known as DREAMers, are children of immigrants who came to this country with their families but do not have legal status. The organization focuses its efforts on high school reform, police accountability, housing, and access to college for undocumented students.
In Fall 2013, a student in Transforming Community Through the Arts at The New School has been working with the youth and youth coordinators on a banner project for action against the separation of families through the deportation of undocumented working parents and students. Another project under way is a large collaborative mixed media collage representing the youths’ past, present and future.
For additional courses and programs at The New School, see
Transforming Community Through the Arts
Social Change At the New School