2012 Journey

A Journey that Counts:
Promoting Citizenship Education from Sea to Shining Sea

Citizenship Counts’ Board Member Diane Eckstein and her husband John are passionate and proud American citizens. In 2012, they will be journeying from coast to coast – walking and biking 3,500 miles – to promote engaged citizenship and to promote awareness of the naturalization process. The inspirations for their journey across America are Gerda Klein’s life and the work of Citizenship Counts, the organization Gerda founded as her way of giving back to the country that saved her life and enabled her to build a future.

Beginning in January of 2012, John will walk and bike across the United States of America – from San Diego to New York City. Diane and their dog, Kipp, will accompany John on this 3,500 mile trek.  The mission of the Journey is to raise awareness of the Citizenship Counts program and to raise $3.5 million that will be used to expand the program throughout the United States.  The Ecksteins will cover all personal travel-related expenses. Any and all donations will directly support Citizenship Counts’ efforts to create an interactive educational experience that encourages students to celebrate citizenship and engage in their communities.

John and Diane will live in a recreational vehicle that will serve as their home base and will accommodate visiting family and friends along the way.  Their Journey will begin at San Diego High School on January 27, 2012 and will travel through the following major cities:Tucson, AZ; Phoenix, AZ; Las Cruces, New Mexico; El Paso, Texas; Austin, TX; College Station, TX; Dallas, TX; Little Rock, AR; Memphis, TN; Nashville, TN; Indianapolis, IN; Chicago, IL; New Bremen, OH; Pittsburgh, PA; Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia, PA; and New York City.

Throughout the Journey, Citizenship Counts will partner with middle and high schools in communities across the country, where students will use the Citizenship Counts curriculum to learn about how immigration has created a diverse and inclusive United States.  Students will also learn about the naturalization process, through which newcomers enter the U.S. citizenry.   Finally, the curriculum will inspire students to participate in service to their communities and strive to be responsible citizens for the rest of their lives.  Diane and John will author a blog that students and other interested citizens will use as a tool to learn about the history and geography of our country and about the vital contributions of immigrants who have become citizens throughout our history.  As the culmination of the educational program, students will participate in naturalization ceremonies or other celebrations of citizenship and civic engagement at their schools or alternative community venues.  Along with community members, elected officials, and other stakeholders, John, Diane, and Kipp will attend each ceremony.  Citizenship Counts Founder Gerda Klein will attend and deliver the keynote address at several of the ceremonies.

Individuals and businesses interested in supporting the work of Citizenship Counts can pledge per mile for the Journey or may elect to donate in other ways.  Please follow this link to make your contribution.

To follow John and Diane’s adventures, take a look at their blogs!  Click here to read on.