Youth Workin' It

Consultancy and Resources for Youth Workers and Organizations Worldwide

Participating In Charity – Youth Work Session Plan

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There are two ways I have helped youth get involved in charitable endeavors during sessions.

1) Fundraising

I had a youth group that earned over 200 GBP / 300 USD during the morning break (approx. 30 minutes) at their school with the Krispy Kreme Fundraiser – they sent Christmas presents to 30 homeless youth in Rwanda, including postage, with that amount.

Note: Make sure the lunch ladies are aware of your activities. Find a charity or non-profit that excites your youth and raise some serious funds for them.

Otherwise you might enjoy supporting youth who are supporting youth.

2) Volunteering

I had a youth group that moved 60 bags of dirt that were each 30 gallons for an elderly gentleman. He had done some work in his yard but was unable to clear all the rubble, so our group were able to do this in one afternoon by partnering with a community action day that was happening in our area.

You can also check out DoSomething.org or VolunteerMatch.org to find volunteering opportunities in your area in the US. If you’re local to Youth Workin’ It’s current base of Hampton Roads, Virginia, you might enjoy checking out Serve The City.

Are you in the UK? Check out vInspired.com.

Question: How does your youth programming participate in fundraising and/or volunteering? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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1, 4, 9, 2 – Celebrating Youth Achievements And Volunteering On Columbus Day

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Columbus Day youth workIn 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue… that’s how the little rhyme goes right? And just to be clear we’re not talking about this Chris Columbus but rather, this one.

Today is Columbus Day in the US and just like on Labor Day we’re going to celebrate by spotlighting some incredible youth and their accomplishments in making the world a better place.

One Goal

  • To make a difference

Four Teens

  • Shannon McNamara – When Shannon was 15 she visited Africa and discovered ‘book famine’. Share provides books and educational programs for girls in Africa.
  • Alex Epstein – Co-founded New York 2 New Orleans when he was 17. NY2NO’s goal is to make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged teens in both NYC and NOLA.
  • Matt Pierce – While a Senior in high school, the BP Oil Spill happened in the gulf of Mexico. Matt wanted to make a difference and started Teenagers Care to show that teenagers care about the environment  and can make a difference through philanthropic efforts.
  • Craig Kielburger – When Craig was 12, he read about Iqbal Masih who died standing up for Children’s Rights. Craig joined 11 of his other 7th grade friends to start a network of children helping children. Free the Children builds schools and school rooms to help educate children around the world.

Nine Steps

Tips and steps to guide youth when starting their own non-profit from Idealist.org. If you’re in the UK, you’ll want to check out the user-friendly website of the Charity Commission.

Tips:

  • All non-profits are local – even the international ones
  • Local supporters are necessary – non-profits are not started in isolation
  • Non-profits can be and should be business-like by keeping good records
  • Sometimes starting a non-profit isn’t the best way to serve – you can start doing good work sooner by partnering with organizations that are already serving the community
  • Plan for the long term – you need a clear plan for how to create a sustainable organization if you want to make lasting change to big problems
  • You need a board of directors
  • You need governing documents or bylaws
  • You need 501(c)3 (in the US) or charitable status (in the UK)
  • You need a clear and specific mission and vision
* In the UK you also need around 5,000 GBP through your organization to apply for charitable status.

Two Ways To Help

  • Do – Do something, anything! Volunteer your time, send out info, tweet about it, FB your friends, send a text, raise some money – moo-lah, dosh, pesos…
  • Donate – Find a charity you love to support and give it financial backing. Charities and non-profits need money to do the good work they are there for.

1, 4, 9, 2 – see what I did there?!

Question: How can you use 1, 4, 9, 2 to inspire your youth to get involved in making a difference? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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