OME Commissioner Tasha Van Auken introduces Office of Mass Engagement

Thank you, Commissioner.

Good morning.

Thank you, Chair Brewer and the members of the Committee on Governmental Operations for this opportunity.

My name is Tasha Van Auken, and I'm the Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Mass Engagement.

Mayor Mamdani established the Office of Mass Engagement on his second day in office out of a belief that good governance requires bringing New Yorkers into the work of government.

Since then, we've reached hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers to engage them about new policies, help them navigate city services, support them through extreme weather events, and develop their civic participation.

New Yorkers care a lot about their city, but we're also famously busy people.

It's hard to get informed, get involved, and have a voice when city government seems so opaque and difficult to navigate.

New Yorkers are juggling jobs, kids, caring for elders, and much more.

We can't wait for them to come to us.

We meet New Yorkers where they are to help them access services and participate in the decisions that affect their lives.

A benefit only helps someone if they know it exists, that they are eligible for it, and understand how to access it.

A public hearing is only truly public if New Yorkers know it is happening, know how to participate, and believe their voice belongs in the room.

OME's job is to demystify government processes and add new pathways for New Yorkers to engage with policies and see the positive impacts of their participation.

We connect several long-established offices for civic engagement, like the Public Engagement Unit,

NYC service and the Civic Engagement Commission with new initiatives to educate and involve New Yorkers.

we are able to draw on the deep well of knowledge and relationships that these historic engagement offices offer while expanding the ways that New Yorkers can participate in government.