LOCAL: Getting Children Involved

Children are the next generation of change, and the answer to the question of if what we are doing today will have any long term postive response in our communities.  Starting children in public service activities will generate those great, positive, long term effects.

Share your experiences with the Summer Challenge, or just some ideas of activities you would actually enjoy, that serve the community as a family. 

What gets you motivated to do these things with your children?  How do you make public service, fun?

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Below are some resources I've aquired that are inspiring, and actually help get me personally into the mindset of family public service.

Cameron's Story
A story from a young adult member of a family philoanthropy foundation, from the book Creating Change Through Family Philanthropy, a guide gives young people the tools they need to not just participate, but help transform the field itself.  The book was written by Allison Goldburg, a 32 year old from Boston who co-founded Resource Generation, a national non-profit that works with young people who believe in social change.

From the website: "The field of family philanthropy needs a lot of help. There's a certain stagnant way that it's been operating. There needs to be a new infusion of younger voices and conversations about what's next in the evolution of family philanthropy. There are a lot of people who are involved in social change work in their daily lives who have a lot to contribute at the foundation level. They also have the kind of access that could steer foundations in a way that's more responsive to communities they're trying to help, so there's more representation from those communities involved in the decisions."

How You Can Help: Explore Family Philanthropy (Children's Hospital, Boston)
From the website: "Many parents who give to their communities and charitable organizations aren’t sure how to explain to their children why they give and how kids can too. Many practice philanthropy out of sight, though kids often learn best when taught by those they trust most.  We founded 26 Steps to close that gap, to help parents introduce their children to a lifetime of giving. It provides tools for the next generation of philanthropists, developing habits of independence, kindness, good judgment and responsibility."

Connection Cafe
"Connecting people, ideas, and technology to acheive extraordinary results."  This link is to a blog named Developing Philanthropic Children.  Some advice from blog: "Create family rituals around philanthropy....There is power in children helping children...Frequent businesses that support charitable giving...Help your kids design and decorate a giving jar separate from their piggy bank...When there is a drive for canned goods, new school supplies, or unwrapped toys, have your child pick out what to purchase and donate."

Child-Founded Charities
The Ladybug Foundation, Free the Children, Alex's Lemonade Stand, Kids Saving the Rainforest
All it takes is an idea to become a project to become an organizatino.  Check out these kids who started charities because they wanted to lend a helping hand to people in their community. 

How To Involve Your Children in Your Charitable Giving
Family Philanthropy: Tools You Can Use by Peter Dunn

How To Teach Children Philanthropy and Kindness
found this article on Helium.com "Where Knowledge Rules", a site for sharing quality content for writers, publishers, and nonprofits.