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Recap: What is the Teens Change the World! Summer Program?
This summer, Activate Good hosted teens from around the Triangle (and even a few from out of state!) at our Teens Change The World! 2019 Summer Program over two separate weeks: one session this past June, and one in July. This program is an annual week-long service learning and leadership experience that gives teens the opportunity to volunteer, learn about a variety of local causes, hear from social impact experts, and even pitch their ideas for social impact. Teens earned volunteer hours and had the chance to win a small grant to carry out a social impact volunteer project idea they dreamed up to help a local cause! Every single teen started camp with an awesome idea of how to change the world.
At camp, Teens volunteered in the mornings gaining 15 service hours and countless life lessons. In the afternoons, they heard from community and nonprofit leaders and met with wonderful mentors – volunteer professionals from area businesses and nonprofits – to sharpen their presentation skills and work on their social impact project idea. By the end of the week, the teens were ready to pitch their volunteer projects to a panel of judges!
Meet our Social Impact Volunteer Project Award Winners!
We originally planned for a single winner from each week of camp, but wow – did these teens deliver! By the end of our June and July camp sessions, we ended up with SEVEN total grant winning projects pitched by the Teens! Our judges just couldn’t pick one – so through their generous support, these additional projects received funding. We were blown away by the amazing projects these teens brought to the table. Meet these seven amazing teens and read about their social impact volunteer project ideas below:
Winners from Week One (June):
Ananya was our first place winner with her project “Plastic into Baskets.” This project involves saving hundreds of plastic bags from ending up in our landfills and instead turning them into reusable bags that will be donated to a local food pantry. The process involves making plastic yarn and crocheting that yarn into sturdy multi-use bags.
Hailey was a winner of an additional grant with her project “Autism Opportunities.” This project seeks to connect individuals with Autism to career opportunities through a job-fair style event complete with interview workshops and guest speakers.
Elizabeth was also a winner of an additional grant with her project “Bright Boxes.” Her project looks to address the mental health of individuals experiencing poverty by supplying them with stress-relieving tips and tools. These kits will be distributed alongside other needed items addressing food insecurity or other basic needs.
Caleb was another winner of an additional grant with his project “Cops with Communities.” His project involves a day of community building between Durham Police Officers and the local community they serve with the intention of building bridges of understanding and unity.
Winners from Week Two (July)
Ben was our first place winner with his project “Paws for Hope.” This project connects individuals aging out of foster care and dogs that need to find their forever homes! Bringing these two groups together for a day of learning and mutual love aims to have a beneficial impact on all involved!
Minnie was a winner of an additional grant with her project “Drops of Joy.” Her project connects survivors of domestic violence and their children to a day of togetherness, fun, and healing through dance lessons that otherwise may not be an option.
Blaine was also a winner of an additional grant with his project “LGBT+ Youth Support.” His project offers a full day of workshops including sexual health, coming out information, mental health awareness, and much more.
All of these projects speak to what amazing teens attended this year’s summer program. We cannot wait to see these projects take form and keep everyone updated on their success and impacts. Spectacular things can happen when volunteerism, community, and learning all come together to meet the curious and passionate minds of our Youth!
Help us continue to empower the next generation to do good, be kind, and change the world!
Want to support our programs? Activate Good is able to serve these teens and the hundreds of other youth, families, and other groups every year through the generous contributions of our donors. Whether you’re interested in helping us grow the Teens Change the World! Summer Program for next year or supporting our ongoing work with all ages – every contribution helps!
Want to know more? “Like” our page on Facebook to stay updated on their progress! We’ll keep everyone updated on how things are going!
Want to attend next summer? Do you or a teen you know want to be a part of Teens Change The World! Summer Program 2020? Email schools@activategood.org to be added to the interest list for next year!
Want to help? Keep an eye on our updates for volunteer opportunities to help our teen’s projects make the biggest impact possible! You can also browse Activate Good’s volunteer opportunities and find a match here, too.
