What Can I do to Help? Getting Young People Involved

By Lisa Hickie, Mississippi Valley Promise

After 9/11 and now with the tsunami disaster, young people of today seem to have a better understanding of giving and being aware of others in need. They are more willing to volunteer their time, energy, and resources – sometimes they just need a little help to begin. They have a lot to give to others and a unique ability to get the word out quickly.

No matter their age, serving and leading within a community is an excellent way for children to give. It inspires and builds character. Empathy and compassion are learned behaviors. Parents and teachers can encourage children to continue by praising them for their efforts.

There are endless opportunities to serve through schools, religious organizations, after-school programs, neighborhoods, athletic teams, youth groups, and families. Young people engaged in service learn what it means to be an active citizen and community member, while developing skills and gaining experience. Here’re some ideas to get young people started when they ask, “What can I do to help?”

• Organize days of family service – like park clean-ups, recycling, visiting people in retirement centers, volunteering at homeless shelters, or restoring community centers.

• Encourage your child’s church group, scouting group, team, or school to sponsor the President’s Student Service Awards, which rewards students for serving 100 or more hours per year. Volunteer to assist them in becoming a sponsor. For more information, go to www.presidentialserviceawards.org.

• Urge your children’s teachers, principals, and school boards to incorporate service learning in the education of all students. Simple service projects also can build self-esteem in young people.

• Get a college student organization to organize “Saturdays of Service” to help a group of younger students with group service projects.

• Volunteer to help your child’s classroom or grade adopt a local park, nursing home, or elementary school class and arrange monthly activities to help out.

• Model the behavior you want your kids to learn; let them see Mom and Dad and their teachers giving back to the community.

The possibilities are endless, and today is the perfect time to begin. Encourage young people to take charge. It just takes a little ingenuity and persistence to get these projects started. Their energy is contagious.

Mississippi Valley Promise is a network committed to helping young people receive Five Promises, including ongoing relationships with caring adults, safe places during non-school hours, a healthy start and future, marketable skills through education, and opportunities to give back through community service. For more information, contact Jane Steele at (563) 557-1277 or janesteele@hotmail.com.