From Protest
to Policy
When civic education connects knowledge with action, young people move beyond learning about democracy to actively shaping it — transforming protest into policy and participation into lasting civic power.
OUR MISSION
"From Protest to Policy, Inc. cultivates the next generation of civic leaders by providing students with experiential opportunities to research community challenges, collaborate with residents and nonprofits, and contribute meaningfully to policy development and democratic processes."
Civic Action Labs
Our simulation-based labs bridge the gap between street-level energy and the halls of governance — in three moves.
Research the Community
Students partner with residents to investigate real local challenges — gathering data, listening to neighbors, and finding the root causes behind the headlines.
Collaborate Across Generations
Young people's energy meets older people's wisdom. Labs bring students, elders, nonprofits, and schools together to co-design solutions that work for everyone.
Shape Real Policy
Findings become draft resolutions, policy briefs, and presentations to public decision-makers — participation that leaves a lasting mark on democracy.
Young energy meets older wisdom
An intergenerational civic movement that moves mountains. We combine the fearless energy of youth with the deep-rooted wisdom of community elders to build lasting civic power.
- ✓Intergenerational mentorship
- ✓Resident-centered policy design
- ✓Direct democratic participation
✊
"Young people's energy and older people's wisdom move mountains."
Town of Hempstead
Our civic labs are rooted in the Town of Hempstead — America's largest township — where six councilmanic districts give young people a real arena to research, organize, and shape local policy.
Councilmanic District 1: Roosevelt, Lakeview, and portions of Baldwin, Freeport, Hempstead, Lynbrook, Uniondale and West Hempstead.
Councilmanic District 2: Garden City and portions of East Meadow, Elmont, Floral Park, Franklin Square, Hempstead, New Hyde Park, Valley Stream, Uniondale, West Hempstead and Westbury.
Councilmanic District 3: Atlantic Beach, East Atlantic Beach, Inwood, Lawrence and portions of Cedarhurst, Elmont, Franklin Square, Malverne, Valley Stream, West Hempstead and Woodmere.
Councilmanic District 4: East Rockaway, Hewlett, Island Park, South Hempstead, Oceanside and Rockville Centre, and portions of Baldwin, Cedarhurst, Lynbrook, Malverne, Valley Stream and Woodmere.
Councilmanic District 5: Lido Beach and Point Lookout and portions of Baldwin, Bellmore, Freeport, Merrick, Seaford and Wantagh.
Councilmanic District 6: Levittown, and portions of Bellmore, Bethpage, East Meadow, Merrick, Seaford and Wantagh.
Who the Labs Serve
Working in partnership with schools, nonprofits, and residents to strengthen civic knowledge, skills, and leadership.
Students
Move beyond learning about democracy to actively shaping it — with experiential civic leadership you can put your name on.
Schools
Bring simulation-based civic labs into your curriculum and connect classroom knowledge with community action.
Community Partners
Nonprofits and residents gain research-driven, community-centered policy development that amplifies your voice.
Tammie S. Williams-Pittman
DSW, LMSW
Founder, From Protest to Policy, Inc.
- Clinical Assistant Professor of Practicum Education, Stony Brook University School of Social Welfare
- Community, Policy, and Political Social Action specialization
- Former New York State Senate District Director
- Elmont's 2017 Person of the Year — Long Island Herald
Tammie S. Williams-Pittman, DSW, LMSW, is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Practicum Education at Stony Brook University’s School of Social Welfare, where she also teaches in the Community, Policy, and Political Social Action specialization. A social worker, educator, community-engaged scholar, and longtime civic organizer, Dr. Williams-Pittman’s work focuses on civic empowerment, social justice, youth leadership, and equitable representation.
Her doctoral research, Closing the Civic Empowerment Gap, examined strategies for strengthening civic knowledge, confidence, motivation, and participation among BIPOC youth through community-based civic education and the New York State Seal of Civic Readiness. She is also the Founder of From Protest to Policy, Inc., an initiative that connects civic education, research, organizing, mentorship, and policy advocacy to help emerging leaders understand how community concerns can translate into systemic change.
A former New York State Senate District Director and longtime Long Island community advocate, Dr. Williams-Pittman was recognized by the Long Island Herald as Elmont’s 2017 Person of the Year for her civic and community contributions. Across her teaching, research, and community work, she remains committed to preparing the next generation to lead with knowledge, resilience, and purpose.
Preparing the next generation to lead with knowledge, resilience, and purpose
Our Board
LCSW
Board Member
Joan Stong
Joan Stong, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker and educator. During her years in behavioral health and community work, Joan has been especially passionate about connecting with young people, helping them discover their strengths, recognize the value of their voices, and build confidence in their ability to influence the world around them. Her experience spans clinical practice, leadership, supervision, and higher education, including teaching at Stony Brook University.
As a Board Member of Protest to Policy, Joan is committed to creating meaningful connections with youth and helping them move from passion and advocacy to informed civic action. She believes that when young people feel heard, connected, and empowered, they can become powerful advocates, leaders, and changemakers within their communities.
Community Screenings
Slay the Dragon
We're bringing the award-winning documentary on gerrymandering to libraries and schools across the Town of Hempstead. Directed by Barak Goodman and Chris Durrance, the film follows everyday citizens who fought back against rigged district maps — and won.
"The most important political film of the year, and it may prove to be one of the key political films of the decade." — Variety
Each screening is followed by a facilitated conversation connecting the film to our own councilmanic districts — how lines are drawn, who they represent, and how residents can shape the process.
Host or Attend a ScreeningSupport the Movement
Fuel the next generation of civic leaders
Your gift keeps our civic action labs free for students, brings films and community forums to libraries and schools across the Town of Hempstead, and gives young people the tools to research, organize, and shape real policy.
- Free civic action labs for students
- Slay the Dragon screenings & community forums
- Research & policy tools for young organizers
Donate
We collect donations through Zeffy — a giving platform for nonprofits that charges 0% platform fees, so 100% of your gift supports the work.
Suggested gifts
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Donate on ZeffyFrom Protest to Policy, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law, and you’ll receive a receipt by email.
Ready to turn protest into policy?
Join a civic action lab, partner with us, or support the next generation of civic leaders.
See our labs and community events in action
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