August 29, 2020

Quote of the Week

"You can't cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water." -Rabinranath Tagore

Teens Transform Liquor Store Into Fresh Food Market

It all started with a series of listening circles in June 2020 to give young people a platform to voice their frustrations around the systemic racism they see in their neighborhood, and to talk about how the civil unrest had impacted them. There, they also discussed about the food scarcity in the neighborhood. 

In August 2020, at the site of a former liquor store, the Austin Harvest food mart pop-up was brought to life by neighborhood teens who decided to take matters into their own hands.

This is just one of the many inspiring stories of youth becoming change-makers. It's a sign of goodness that can inspire you to bring a positive transformation in your local context. Read More

Reading Corner

Title: Be a Changemaker: How to Start Something That Matters

By: Laurie Ann Thompson

Ages: 13+

Empower yourself in today’s highly connected, socially conscious world as you learn how to wield your passions, digital tools, and the principles of social entrepreneurship to affect real change in your schools, communities, and beyond.

At age eleven, Jessica Markowitz learned that girls in Rwanda are often not allowed to attend school, and Richards Rwanda took shape.

During his sophomore year of high school, Zach Steinfeld put his love of baking to good use and started the Baking for Breast Cancer Club.

This book will empower you with the confidence and knowledge you need to affect real change. You’ll find all the tools you need right here—through engaging youth profiles, step-by-step exercises, and practical tips, you can start making a difference today. This inspiring guide will teach you how to research ideas, build a team, recruit supportive adults, fundraise, host events, work the media, and, most importantly, create lasting positive change.

Be the Change

Find a small opportunity to make an improvement in and around your present residence and just do it. For inspiration, read this story of 15-year-old Joseph Beer in Chatteris who started cleaning dirty road signs and cutting back overgrown hedges.