Helping the Homeless

"Being involved in something like this is very life changing. You're helping people that you don't even know. And it's different because you're reaching out in a way to help someone and make a difference. You're helping people who aren't as fortunate as you are."

High school students in Jonesboro, Arkansas are working to help fellow teens who are homeless through a partnership with Aeropostale. They were shocked to learn that one in every three homeless people in the US are under the age of 18, so they decided to help.

Over the past four years, the Aeropostale campaign has collected 1.5 million pairs of jeans nationwide.


Read More

For the Red Cross

"You know there is always just a miracle out there that helps us and the Community Youth Foundation is definitely one of those wonderful miracles in this community that stepped up to help the Red Cross and I just cannot thank them enough." -Marlene Henderson, Muskingum Valley Red Cross

The same year, the Community Youth Foundation started another project--Red Day for the Muskingum Valley Red Cross. The same young woman who started the coat drive also had a passion for the Red Cross and wanted to do something to help raise money for the local disaster relief fund. All money in that fund helps local families in a time of need.

The first year, sales of Red Day t-shirts in county schools and businesses resulted in a $1700 donation to the Red Cross from the Youth Foundation. The following year, the group raised approximately $3000 through t-shirt sales, a "Battle of the Banks" and a local school hosting a dodgeball tournament.

Read more at Red Day 2010 and Youth Raise Money for Red Cross.

Coat Drive

Beginning in August 2008, I was an advisor for the Community Youth Foundation in Muskingum County. It is a group of local high school students who distribute grants to youth service groups, select local scholarship winners, and work on teambuilding and leadership activities with other members. Members also participate in additional service projects throughout the year, selected by them to improve the quality of life for youth in Muskingum County.

One motivated individual expressed a desire to do a service project related to her interests in Fashion Design. We decided to collect winter coats to benefit local nonprofit organizations, including the Salvation Army and Eastside Community Ministry. That year, more than 180 coats were collected and distributed as group members learned more about those in need in our community.

The project was such a success that the members decided to continue it, even after the student graduated. In the four years of the project, the Youth Foundation has collected more than 800 coats, as well as hats, gloves, and scarves.

                                         Community Youth Foundation members with youth from
                                         Eastside Community Ministry who received new coats
                                         in 2011.

Hoops of Hope

"People think that kids can't really make a difference and that they should wait until they're older, but that's totally wrong...you can do something as a kid." -Austin Gutwein, Hoops of Hope Founder

I first heard the remarkable story of Austin Gutwein last spring on a Sunday at church. At just 9 years old, Austin started Hoops of Hope, a basketball shoot-a-thon program to raise money for orphans in Zambia. He took his love of basketball and helped people he didn't know simply because he couldn't imagine what life would be like without his parents.

Since 2004, Hoops of Hope has raised more than $2.5 million dollars. Check out Project Goals and History for more information on the money that has helped build schools, medical facilities, and more.

Visit http://www.hoopsofhope.org/ for more info.

Check out Austin's book:

Take Your Best Shot: Do Something Bigger Than Yourself

4-H: The Revolution of Responsibility

One of the videos I shared with the teens that evening was the brand video for a new National 4-H campaign called "The Revolution of Responsibility." One story features a young woman from Ohio who made enough money from her 4-H hog projects to buy a house in her local community. The other tells the story of several 4-H members in North Carolina who are using their GIS skills learned in 4-H to help their community map healthier options for grocery shopping.

For more related videos, simply search "Revolution of Responsiblity" on Youtube.

What is the 4-H Revolution of Responsibility? 
It’s a movement for positive change in every community in America. 4-H youth are a living breathing, culture-changing revolution for doing the right thing, breaking through obstacles and pushing our country forward by making a measurable difference right where they live. That takes uncommon commitment.
-National 4-H Council read more

Interested in joining 4-H, but aren't sure how? Visit: Find 4-H.

It's not just 4-H teens who are making a difference. I will continue to share stories from my community and others throughout the United States, and I welcome your suggestions.

What is Success??

A friend of mine stumbled on this image and posted it to her Facebook page. I shared it with my friends, and also with the teens at the 4-H meeting.

It's pretty self explanatory, and so true. It's important for us to keep in mind that the path to success is not straight and simple...there are ups and downs, but we can still reach our goal!

Why are we here?

About a month ago, I was invited to speak to a group of  4-H teen leaders in another county. My simple instruction was to "motivate them."

As I began to think about my message, I remembered a phrase I learned as part of a high school service organization, "If It Is To Be: It Is Up To Me!"

I had stumbled on a topic I felt confident and qualified to teach: community service. I had been involved in community service projects as a student, young professional, and student group advisor and I knew I could help them translate their interests, strengths, and passions into service for their communities.

We spent time that evening discussing the impact they and their fellow teens were having on their communities and around the country.

I needed to create a blog for a graduate course in Computer Applications in Education and thought it would be an excellent opportunity to gather information about teens making a difference around the world. It is my hope that the stories collected here will inspire other teenagers, their parents, and professionals that work with them to create positive change in their communities.