The kids in the new Teens 4 Change program have only $250 to $2,000 to give away to each local project they choose to fund, says Willa Paterson of the
Three Rivers Community Foundation, which created it. Yet the effort will have a "small but mighty" effect, she believes.
Students from McKeesport, University Prep, City Charter, Oakland Catholic, Allderdice and CAPA high schools are preparing to receive and fund proposals for the new youth-led and youth-focused program.
There is a March 19 deadline for groups in Allegheny and nine surrounding counties to apply for grants. The 10 teens on Teens 4 Change's board will be looking for projects that promote social change in such areas as disability rights, economic and environmental justice, LGBT and human rights, racial justice, and women's, youth and family issues).
Paterson cites a game GASP devised earlier this year, as part of another youth-focused initiative of the foundation, as the sort of project that might win favor with the student board. GASP created a game at the Environmental Charter School at Frick Park to help students recognize the importance of knowing air quality and particulate levels here.
"It engaged the whole school in awareness of one issue," Paterson says. "We're hoping that students will come up with something unique. The key issue is getting people to think about how we can make a change" -- through service? Education? Public awareness? In the end, she hopes Teens 4 Change will "get students at an early age to think about how they can be individually involved."
Do Good:
The
Pennsylvania Progressive Summit is in Philadelphia for the first time -- but consider going anyway; it's Feb. 10-12.
Writer:
Marty Levine
Source: Willa Paterson of the Three Rivers Community Foundation