For Young People
Human Rights International Service-Learning Education (H-RISE) Leadership Program
The Human Rights International Service-Learning Education (H-RISE) Leadership Program is a year-long journey for 9th-12th grade students ready to turn hope into action. The Wassmuth Center's first cohort just lived it: a school year spent studying human rights and history, then two weeks in Cambodia this June — walking through history, engaging with local communities, and returning home with a deeper understanding of what human rights look like in practice.
Now it's the next cohort's turn. Beginning in September, students meet monthly at the Wassmuth Center, with online modules deepening their study between sessions. In June 2027, they'll travel to Vietnam and Cambodia for their own immersive learning experience. And the journey doesn't end at the airport: back home in Idaho, each student designs and implements a human rights education initiative, turning what they learned abroad into real change in our community.
This is more than a program; it's a launchpad. Students grow into globally informed, locally engaged leaders who listen deeply, reflect critically, and act with compassion.
Who are we looking for? Students who bring curiosity about global issues, openness to engaging across cultures, and a genuine drive to lead positive change where they live. They don't need a perfect GPA or a resume full of activities. They need a spark and someone who believes in them enough to say, You should apply for this.
That someone might be you.
The deadline is Tuesday, July 7 — just days away. Please forward this email. Text the link. Bring it up at dinner. Often the only difference between a student applying or not is one adult who noticed their potential and said something.
Learn more and access the application here
Know a Young Person Who Wants a Paid Opportunity?
The When We Count Fellowship is the DNC’s largest-ever voter registration program. Through a paid, part-time fellowship, young people will be trained to register new Democratic voters in their own communities and help close critical registration gaps in battleground states ahead of the 2026 midterms. For those who are 18-29 years.
BABE VOTE
Empowering young people to fight for democracy.
Today, human rights are under attack, civil liberties are being undermined, and democracy is in danger. Times are scary, but throughout history, social movements have fought for justice and won; and young people have nearly always been on the forefront of these fights. BABE VOTE works to make sure young people have what we need to change the course of history.
Pro-Democracy. Pro-Justice.
Democracy is about more than just elections. It is about the inalienable autonomy and self-determination of every person. As such, being pro-democracy entails advocacy for human rights, dignity for all persons, and collective liberation. You cannot be pro-democracy without being pro-justice.
Across the United States, individuals are atomized and communities are fractured. This is especially so among young people, who have been denied access to social capital and have not benefited from many of the collectivist programs that our parents and grandparents have. We ultimately believe that resilient civil society groups are the greatest force for a just and democratic society. Thus, we work to build these communities:
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We incubate and support pro-democracy youth social groups.
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We create and sustain intentional pro-democracy communities.
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We advocate for human rights, voting rights, free and fair elections, student voice, and government accountability.
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We register people to vote, especially young people and people from historically disenfranchised communities.
Initially just a hand sign at the 2018 Idaho Women’s March, BABE VOTE began organizing young people around voter engagement in May 2020. Since then we have grown into an interstate organization that has registered thousands of young people to vote, stood up for voting rights, and advanced young people's access to power in local and state government. Now facing the unprecedented rise of fascism in America, we are working to build resilient communities across Idaho and around the country. When our work is done, young people will have the societal power we are due. Our democracy will be resilient and well-functioning and will work for working people. All people will have a livable future.
High School Chapters
Boise High School
Borah High School
Caldwell Senior High School
Lake City High School
Les Bois Junior High School
McCall-Donnelly High School
Meridian Medical Arts Charter
Renaissance High School
Riverstone International School
Rocky Mountain High School
Sage International School of Boise
Timberline High School
Vallivue High School
Wood River High School
University Chapters
Boise State University
College of Idaho
University of Idaho
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Want to organize with BABE VOTE at your high school or college? Check out our campus captain program.
If you don't see your school on the map, email info@babevote.org with the subject line "Campus Captain" and we'll help you get started.