Show Up. Start Small. Strengthen Your Community.

Pick a pathway. Choose one action. Come back next week and do one more.

Get Started Get Informed Get Involved Get Activated
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Tip: Filters stack. For example, pick Get+Involved + Environment and Infrastructure + Houston-first.
16 actions match your filters.

Learn About Local Issues

Browse quick facts about housing, food, schools, and health in your community. Pick one issue that matters to you.

Education and Opportunity Get+Started ~15 min From your couch
Learn more
Why it matters: understanding is the first step to action.
Progress on safe housing, nutritious food, education, and affordable healthcare is shaped by leaders at every level—and by all of us who show up, speak out, and help hold them accountable.

Discover Who Represents You

Find your city, county, state, and federal officials. Save their offices’ phone numbers and emails.

Governance, Rights and Democracy Get+Started ~10 min From your couch
Why it matters: contact the right office, at the right time, with a clear ask.
Progress on safe housing, nutritious food, education, and affordable healthcare is shaped by leaders at every level—and by all of us who show up, speak out, and help hold them accountable.

Three Good Things

Write down three things that went well today. Share one with a neighbor, friend, or coworker.

Community, Culture and Belonging Get+Started ~10 min From your couch
Reflection prompts
Why it matters: simple habits build resilience and connection.
Progress on safe housing, nutritious food, education, and affordable healthcare is shaped by leaders at every level—and by all of us who show up, speak out, and help hold them accountable.

Attend a Civic Meetup

Show up to a local gathering—library talk, neighborhood meeting, or town hall. Listen for what your neighbors need.

Community, Culture and Belonging Get+Informed ~1.5 hr Houston-first
Find local meetups
Why it matters: relationships make problem-solving possible.
Progress on safe housing, nutritious food, education, and affordable healthcare is shaped by leaders at every level—and by all of us who show up, speak out, and help hold them accountable.

Take a Civic Quiz

Check your understanding of how decisions get made—from city council to school boards and state agencies.

Governance, Rights and Democracy Get+Informed ~8 min From your couch
Learn more
Why it matters: clarity reduces friction and builds confidence.
Progress on safe housing, nutritious food, education, and affordable healthcare is shaped by leaders at every level—and by all of us who show up, speak out, and help hold them accountable.

Join a Community Circle

Practice listening across differences. Share stories. Build trust with neighbors and partners.

Community, Culture and Belonging Get+Informed ~1.5 hr Houston-first
Find a circle
Why it matters: belonging is a public good.
Progress on safe housing, nutritious food, education, and affordable healthcare is shaped by leaders at every level—and by all of us who show up, speak out, and help hold them accountable.

Share Your Story

Write 200–300 words about a time you helped or were helped. Optionally submit for publication.

Community, Culture and Belonging Get+Involved Storytelling and Narrative ~20 min
Submit via Substack
Why it matters: stories move people to act.
Progress on safe housing, nutritious food, education, and affordable healthcare is shaped by leaders at every level—and by all of us who show up, speak out, and help hold them accountable.

Attend a Local Art or Storytelling Event

Support a community-led event that brings people together and sparks ideas.

Community, Culture and Belonging Get+Involved ~1.5 hr Houston-first
Find an event
Why it matters: culture builds common ground.
Progress on safe housing, nutritious food, education, and affordable healthcare is shaped by leaders at every level—and by all of us who show up, speak out, and help hold them accountable.

Volunteer with a Cause

Spend a few hours this month supporting food, shelter, education, or health programs.

Basic Needs and Economic Security Health, Wellness and Care Get+Involved ~2 hr
Find volunteer shifts
Why it matters: service builds trust and momentum.
Progress on safe housing, nutritious food, education, and affordable healthcare is shaped by leaders at every level—and by all of us who show up, speak out, and help hold them accountable.

Host a Civic Gathering

Invite 6–10 people. Share stories, map strengths, and pick a small local project to do together.

Community, Culture and Belonging Get+Involved ~2 hr
DIY kit
Why it matters: small teams make real things happen.
Progress on safe housing, nutritious food, education, and affordable healthcare is shaped by leaders at every level—and by all of us who show up, speak out, and help hold them accountable.

Start or Join a Civic Team

Choose a focus (parks, schools, food security). Set a monthly meet‑up and a 90‑day project goal.

Systems Change and Structural Power Get+Involved ~2 hr
Team templates
Why it matters: organized neighbors can move mountains.
Progress on safe housing, nutritious food, education, and affordable healthcare is shaped by leaders at every level—and by all of us who show up, speak out, and help hold them accountable.

Contribute to a Community Data Project

Help collect, map, or verify information to improve services and accountability.

Environment and Infrastructure Education and Opportunity Get+Involved ~30 min From your couch
Data tools
Why it matters: better data → better decisions.
Progress on safe housing, nutritious food, education, and affordable healthcare is shaped by leaders at every level—and by all of us who show up, speak out, and help hold them accountable.

Join an Advocacy Campaign

Add your name, show up to a briefing, and make 3 calls with a clear, respectful message.

Governance, Rights and Democracy Get+Activated ~45 min
Find a campaign
Why it matters: consistent voices shape public priorities.
Progress on safe housing, nutritious food, education, and affordable healthcare is shaped by leaders at every level—and by all of us who show up, speak out, and help hold them accountable.

Attend or Speak at a Public Meeting

Pick one issue, prepare a 60‑second message, and show up respectfully.

Governance, Rights and Democracy Get+Activated ~2 hr Houston-first
How to speak
Why it matters: your voice becomes part of the public record.
Progress on safe housing, nutritious food, education, and affordable healthcare is shaped by leaders at every level—and by all of us who show up, speak out, and help hold them accountable.

Organize Around a Local Issue

Map stakeholders, build a simple power analysis, and choose a next right ask.

Systems Change and Structural Power Get+Activated ~3 hr
Organizer toolkit
Why it matters: sustained teams shift systems.
Progress on safe housing, nutritious food, education, and affordable healthcare is shaped by leaders at every level—and by all of us who show up, speak out, and help hold them accountable.

Participate in the Civic Impact Engine

Explore actions, data, and partners through The Change Lab’s dashboard as it grows.

Governance, Rights and Democracy Systems Change and Structural Power Get+Activated From your couch
See updates
Why it matters: shared maps align effort.
Progress on safe housing, nutritious food, education, and affordable healthcare is shaped by leaders at every level—and by all of us who show up, speak out, and help hold them accountable.
The Change Lab Action Center