Summer Break: A Great Time For Young People To Discover The Joy Of 'Giving Back'

If you've volunteered, you know how powerful that experience can be. Let's help young people discover their potential to change the world around them, starting this summer.
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Kids volunteering at food drive
Kids volunteering at food drive

Summer is the perfect time for kids to discover what they're passionate about and learn they can make a difference by volunteering.

Take 12-year-old Jessica Carscadden, who started her own nonprofit called We Care Bears to collect stuffed animals for firefighters and police to give to children in accidents, so they have something to comfort them. Or how about Leo Sarabia: At just 10 years old, Leo volunteers as a soccer coach for younger kids in his Chicago neighborhood. For Leo, it's not just about sharing a passion for a sport he loves; it's also about paying it forward and being a role model to others.

The world is full of kids like Jessica and Leo who are eager to give back. They just need a little guidance. A recent survey by The Allstate Foundation found almost half (48 percent) of youth ages 12-17 said "having a better understanding of what charities do" would inspire them to volunteer more. Nearly the same percentage (46 percent) said "knowing more about their volunteer options" would have the same effect.

That's where parents come in. They can help kids figure out where their interests lie, discuss how volunteering can make people's lives better, and encourage them along the way.

Benefits of volunteering for young people? Priceless. A DoSomething.org survey found that on average, young people who volunteer feel more engaged in their local communities, are happier and do better in school than those who don't volunteer. Volunteering gives young people a sense of place and connection. It also opens them to new experiences, people and potential career paths. Studies have shown that volunteering boosts social skills, teaches empathy, and helps young people develop talents and find new strengths.

And there's ample opportunity for kids to realize these benefits due to the critical need for volunteers in our country. Volunteerism rates are the lowest in 14 years, according to a 2015 Bureau of Labor Statistics census. That's tough news for nonprofits that rely on volunteers. In an effort to better match volunteers with programs, nonprofits today offer drop-in opportunities to accommodate hectic schedules. There's likely to be an animal shelter, food bank or YMCA in your community desperate for your child's time and talents.

Options also exist for young people who prefer a more self-directed approach to volunteering. WE Schools is a free, yearlong educational program that provides youth the opportunity to identify causes they care about and blueprints to carry out volunteer activities with friends, family or classmates. Through WE Schools, a young person can create a campaign to collect food for the homeless or to raise money for clean water in a developing country.

If you or your child need more inspiration, tune in August 28 at 7 p.m. Eastern Time for the WE Day primetime television special on ABC. WE Day, which is connected to WE Schools, is a series of worldwide events that bring renowned speakers and performers together with tens of thousands of youth to celebrate the power young people have to make a difference. This year's special will highlight inspiring young Americans who are volunteering their time to causes such as anti-violence initiatives and safe driving programs, showing the world that youth are problem solvers, not problems to be solved.

If you've volunteered, you know how powerful that experience can be. Let's help young people discover their potential to change the world around them, starting this summer.

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