Neutral Ground, Strong Voices: WCC’s Commitment to Real Civic Learning

WCC: A Nonpartisan Space for Real Civic Learning

At Westside Community Center, “nonpartisan” is more than a word - it’s a promise. We’ve chosen this path because our mission is to build trust, foster understanding, and help our community, young and old, navigate the complexities of civics without the pressure of political influence.

We respect all our leaders, whether local, state, or national, and welcome people of all political backgrounds into our space. But when it comes to education, we keep the focus on facts, not opinions, and understanding, not persuasion.

What Being Nonpartisan Means

At WCC, “nonpartisan” is not code for silence, avoidance, or hidden agendas. It means every person who walks through our doors, whether they agree with each other or not, is given the same opportunity to learn, ask questions, and form their own views.

It means:

• Presenting the full picture, even when the truth is difficult or uncomfortable.

• Giving people the tools to think critically for themselves, not telling them what to think.

• Keeping discussions rooted in verified facts and historical accuracy, not personal ideology.

• Creating an environment where every voice is treated respectfully and every participant knows their perspective can be heard without being shut down.

This standard applies to everyone - students, adults, educators, and guest speakers - without exception.

Why We Chose This Approach

Our community deserves a place to learn and talk about civics without fear of being “talked into” something. Studies show that when people have access to unbiased information and a respectful environment, they’re more engaged, more confident, and more likely to participate in civic life.

By staying neutral, we:

• Protect trust between WCC and the community.

• Encourage people from all walks of life to participate.

• Strengthen the bonds that allow healthy dialogue and understanding.

Our Boundaries Are Clear

We believe honest civic learning can happen only when people trust the space they are in. That’s why we separate civic education from political persuasion.

Community forums will give room for open dialogue, including political beliefs and ideologies, but those conversations will always be clearly distinct from our civic learning programs.

We have a zero-tolerance policy for any educator, guest, or participant who presents opinion as fact. This protects everyone, especially youth and those still forming their civic understanding, from being pressured into a position they have not examined for themselves.

You are welcome to share your views in the right setting, and we will ensure those settings are fair to all perspectives. In civic education sessions, our focus will always be the same: giving you the knowledge to decide for yourself.

Looking Ahead

Starting this Monday, August 11th, we’ll take a close look at the One Big Beautiful Bill through a truly nonpartisan lens, breaking it down into clear, factual, easy-to-understand pieces. We won’t tell you what to think about it, but we will give you the full picture so you can decide where you stand.

Whether you’re 15 or 75, you’ll walk away knowing exactly what the bill says, how it works, and how it could affect you, without the spin.

If you believe in what we’re building, whether you’re an educator, a community leader, or simply a neighbor who cares, we welcome your help. Come ready to listen, ready to learn, and ready to protect the neutrality that keeps WCC a trusted place for all.