Post-Millennial kids are taking action on causes dear to their hearts. Very aware of major global issues, such as the recession, and extremely familiar with technological trends, the still-materialistic teens are mobilizing support for philanthropic issues via social media, raising money on Facebook, and even creating their own organizations.
“The number of kids creating their own organizations and taking action for causes they care about is skyrocketing,” said Nancy Lublin, New York-based CEO of DoSomething.org, a non-profit that helps get youths involved in philanthropy.
“Kids today just saw their parents go through a recession, get laid off and struggle,” said Ms. Lublin. “They look around and say: ‘what’s the point? I don’t just want a second car in my driveway. I want a life of purpose.” In addition to the economic issues, kids are very aware of terrorism and environmental disasters, such as the BP oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico.
Last year, 79% of American girls donated food or clothing, 53% contributed cash, and 60% asked others to volunteer or donate, a United Nations Foundation study has found. Teens plan to continue to give. Over 75% say they will give to charity, in contrast to 63% in 1989, according to a Girl Scout Research Institute study in the US. It encompassed 3,263 students from grade 3 to 12.
The recession spurred Angelica Salem, 17 from Stamford, CT, to hold a fund-raiser for local low income residents in lieu of her sweet sixteen. She raised $10,000 for her non-profit at the 150-person party, Voice of an Angel. She has held several fund-raisers since, including one that raised $50,000 for the Stamford Hospital Bennett Cancer Center.
Similarly, a trip to New Orleans following Katrina spurred Alex Epstein, 20 and from Manhattan, to start a non-profit to raise support for hurricane victims. “The thoughts and emotions this trip provoked made me realize this was what I would be dedicating the rest of my life to,” said Mr. Epstein. He co-founded New York 2 New Orleans Coalition three years ago, and through 41 trips it has brought 1,000 students together, all wanting to assist the disadvantaged regions in New York and New Orleans.
Organizations are springing up to keep the teen phlianthropy momentum going. A New York-based group encouraging volunteerism started in October. It has over 120,000 pledges for volunteers, and is working to get ‘youth action’ in 27 school curriculums.
Also last autumn, Girl Up was created by the UN Foundation. “We have been astounded by the reaction – girls who told us they were already doing something or that they have a community of friends who wanted to do something but didn’t know where to channel it,” said Aaron Sherinian, the UN Foundation’s Executive Director of Communications and Public Affairs.
This was originally published by JustMeans on February 7, 2011.
