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The Change Lab
Civic Change Engine
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The Change Lab — Civic Control Panel

Find your path to help your community.

Start small or jump into organizing—clear steps, local partners, real impact.

Action-firstGuides and toolkits over hot takes
Bridging-centeredMeetups, circles, and partners
NonpartisanMade for all neighbors

Explore

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Governance, Rights and Democracy
Basic Needs and Economic Security
Health, Wellness and Care
Education and Opportunity
Environment and Infrastructure
Community, Culture and Belonging
Systems Change and Structural Power
Intersectional and Structural Themes
Results
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What you can do today

Practical steps you can take in the next 15 minutes. Click a tile to load results below.

Ready-to-run kits for your home, workplace, or faith group.

Find circles, conversations, and community events near you.

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Stories, prompts, and one action every week. Free.

Pitch in with partners doing the work on the ground.

Community Partners

Organizations we learn from and act with.

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  • Practical tips to turn curiosity into action
  • Tools for talking across differences
  • Local ways to plug in—events, partners, and projects

The Change Lab Action Center

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© The Change Lab. Built with care in Houston, TX.

Houston’s Civic Culture Guide

Start where you are. Find your people. Take one small step today.

  1. Pick a level that fits your energy.
  2. Choose a focus area you care about.
  3. Do one thing — five minutes is enough.

This Week in Civic Life

Editor’s picks you can act on now.

Activity Center

Filter by level, focus, or search. Cards show time-to-act and in‑person/online.

Policy & Elected Officials

Direct links + scripts for quick, respectful outreach.

Who Represents You (Houston‑first)

Helpful Scripts

Email to a council member 
Subject: Constituent request regarding [issue]

Dear Council Member [Last Name],
I live in [Neighborhood/ZIP]. I support [clear request in one sentence] because [one reason].
Could you share how you plan to approach this?
Thank you for your service,
[Full Name]
[Street / ZIP]
Two‑minute public comment 
Good [morning/afternoon]. My name is [Full Name], from [Neighborhood].
I’m asking you to [specific request]. This will help our community by [one benefit].
Thank you for your time and for your service.

Policy Tracker: What’s Moving Now

    Public Meetings Calendar

    Agendas, schedules, and sign‑up links.

    Bookshelf

    Short reads & tools, mapped to levels and focus areas.

    Community Partners

    Profiles you can explore and join.

    DIY Kits

    Scripts, guides, and how‑tos you can use today.

    Story Hub

    Neighbor and partner spotlights that build belonging.

    Community Standards

    We show up with respect, curiosity, and care for our neighbors across differences. We avoid personal attacks and focus on solutions that improve our shared community.

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    The Change Lab
    Action starts here

    Action Center

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    Governance, Rights & Democracy

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    The Change Lab Action Center

    Find your next step. Learn, connect, and take action with local partners and opportunities.

    Find an Activity Partner Newsletter Volunteer Invest
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      Welcome to The Change Lab

      A civic dashboard to learn, connect, and take action

      Start small or jump straight into organizing—your pathway is here.

      Explore Resources Become a Partner Invest

      Community Partners

      More →

      Engagement

      Areas of Focus

      Browse key themes and dig into the archive.

      Area
      Governance, Rights and Democracy
      Civic literacy • Representation • Accountability
      Area
      Basic Needs and Economic Security
      Food • Housing • Mobility • Income
      Area
      Health, Wellness and Care
      Community health • Care systems • Prevention
      Area
      Education and Opportunity
      Learning • Access • Workforce
      Area
      Environment and Infrastructure
      Resilience • Transit • Public space
      Area
      Community, Culture and Belonging
      Area
      Systems Change and Structural Power
      Area
      Intersectional and Structural Themes
      Programs & Experiences
      E Courses MEETUPS PODCASTS Volunteering WORKSHOPS
      Learning & Tools
      Bookshelves DIY Activities Research The Learning Center Toolkits WORKBOOKS
      Organizations & Partners
      Community Partners Organizations
      Updates & Reports
      News Reports
      Featured
      Bill of Rights Institute
      Bill of Rights Institute
      You're More Powerful Than You Think: A Citizen’s Guide to Making Change Happen
      You're More Powerful Than You Think: A Citizen’s Guide to Making Change Happen
      Learn How Government Works — the Fun Way!
      Learn How Government Works — the Fun Way!