Who We Are

The Civi Awards and Civi Coalition were born from a shared vision: to foster a deep commitment to civic education and to prepare students to be informed, engaged citizens in a rapidly changing world. The Civi Awards, established through the Genesee Valley BOCES, recognize students who exhibit exceptional civic-mindedness and take meaningful actions that create positive change in their communities. These awards are earned by students who are in the process of earning the New York State Seal of Civic Readiness, a program that emphasizes civic knowledge, skills, and actions. The Civi Awards celebrate students who embody the qualities of civic readiness by promoting dialogue, supporting community needs, and standing as models for their peers​.

Out of the success of the Civi Awards, the Civi Coalition emerged as a next step in this journey. The Coalition extends our commitment to civic education by bringing together educators dedicated to bridging divides and modeling the active civic engagement we ask of our students. In a time of increasing polarization, the Civi Coalition provides educators with resources, knowledge, and a network of support to help students listen, engage in constructive conversations, and find common ground on critical issues. By modeling these principles ourselves, we inspire students to take action, become informed citizens, and foster stronger, more resilient communities​.

As we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States, the Civi Coalition aims to reinvigorate the principles of collaboration and civic engagement, preparing students to be thoughtful, active participants in their democracy. Join us in our commitment to civic readiness, and together, let’s inspire the next generation of leaders.