Youth & young adults showing the way to a better world: Service.

hen you look at most youth magazines, you might think that the only things you’re supposed to care about are clothes, cars, and celebrities.

But if you’re like most young people, you also care about the problems in the world, and you’d like to make things a little better if you could.

Getting Through

Through your life right now as a teen or a young adult may at times be an emotional roller coaster, there are also opportunities to stand up for what you believe in, right some wrongs, help those in need, and make the world a better place.

Young people around the world have invested their time and energy in worthwhile projects like repairing houses for the poor, building playgrounds, and working as counselors at camps for the disabled. Many of them discover a strong tie between doing something good for others and feeling better about themselves.

Here are some ways YOU can do YOUR part.

Be aware of what’s going on around you

Teenagers in Goshen, Indiana took a look around and decided their town wasn’t as kid-friendly as it ought to be. The community had lots of kids without much to do, and just as many empty lots that were filled with trash.

“Service is like a circle. Whatever you give out, it’s always going to come back to you in some way.
It always does.”
-- Terra

“If you are doing nothing to make the world better,
You’re simply helping things get worse.”
-- Jeffrey

Four friends started by setting aside a day every year to clear trash from one empty lot. Three years later, 300 volunteers showed up on the designated day and hauled 40 tons of garbage away from numerous lots, and teenagers followed up by planting trees for a community park.

There are plenty of needs in the world, and it’s easy to simply complain about what’s wrong. But when energetic, dedicated young people organize to address a cause, you’ll be amazed at how many other teens and adults will join in and help.

If you want to take a step in the right direction, get together with a few friends and practice the three-step formula community organizers use: See, Judge, and Act.

SEE: what’s going on in your neighborhood or community?

JUDGE: what’s right, and what’s wrong about it?

ACT: what can you do about it?

Then have the courage to start… Others will follow!

Realize One Person makes a difference

Jorge Aneudy Villalba, 15, lives in a housing project in Catano, Puerto Rico. It bothered him to see his friends dropping out of school and into a life of crime, so Jorge decided to do something about it. He started an after-school learning program in his high-rise building, converting the hallways and stairwells into classrooms, using the stairs as chairs and the walls as blackboards.

“My goal is to make these kids fall in love with school,” says Jorge, who now has close to 50 students in his tutoring program. “We live in an environment of drugs, violence, and vice. I want to show them another way. Their studies will give them a way out.”

Tap into Your Passion

What brings you joy in life? That’s a great place to look for the motivation to make a difference in the world.

Chris is great at video production. He loves capturing life on film. He offered his service to his local church and was asked to film and edit the workship services so they could be sent to the sick and the homebound of the congregation. He’s on hand at all the church functions and captures the life of the church on video. His talents and interest have found a great outlet that helps keep that community alive and connected.

Author Frederick Buechner offered a great advice on how to find one’s true calling. He wrote, “Vocation (your true calling) is the place where your deep gladness meets the world’s deep need.”

One way to explore that brings you deep gladness is by attending a youth / young adult retreat sponsored by a local church or community organization. Some schools offer an alternative spring break spent with other young people doing service for people in need. Check with your school councilor or youth minister, or search online.

Involve Others

Heather Melzer knew that the kids in her local church felt ignored and neglected. The young people felt disconnected, and some were starting to get into trouble. She shared her worries with her parents, who decided to work with her to form a youth ministry program. That led to student activities, retreats, and special worship services. The youth group also focused on training leadership among the young adults to lead retreats and discussion groups for younger people.

Heather couldn’t have done it alone, and pointed to a possible solution that her parents and others could support. Offer your service together with your friends and you’ll connect with a whole new part of them, a deeper self that comes alive in the act of giving. Volunteer with your family members and they’ll get to see how mature and trustworthy you are, and how rewarding it is to reach out to others… When it comes to doing what you can to make a difference in the world, you alone can do it, though you don’t have to do it alone.

Looking Ahead

Remember that small changes make a big difference! You don’t have to make radical changes in your life for your efforts to count. There are plenty of opportunities that come your way every day. Be a peacemaker, stand up for the underdog; put a stop to vicious gossip; challenge racist attitudes, help enemies reconcile; encourage the goodness of others; comfort those in need; share what you have… who you are.

You will never know the full effect of the goodness you put in the world, but you can trust the old saying: “The good you do will come back to you.”

– written by Tom McGrath & Youth Group –