Quotes and comments from people that work with Do Something

Are kids today socially responsible? What have you seen through DoSomething to back this up?

Gregory Castille, Grant Winner: Yes, I believe that young people are socially responsible because of the many ideas that we put forth to create a positive change in today's society. A large number of kids are exposed to positive role models that teach virtues and values via the surplus of communication avenues (television, radio, books, etc.). If a child observes someone working toward a goal, they try to imitate it the best that they can. For example, when a young child observes their teacher tutoring, mentoring, or working in the community, they come to the understanding that you are supposed to work towards helping others and not hurting them.

DoSomething is an outlet for kids to put forth their ideas for everyone to see. It allows the unsung heroes, the young people, to offer up their ideas, what they feel can improve their community, what they feel can help themselves. DoSomething offers rewards to encourage students to challenge themselves. Grants, BR!CK Awards, volunteer opportunities, etc. all make you really want to continue making your community and yourself better.

They believe in us... especially if we’re under age 25!

Radhika, DS Club President, YAC: It is quite amazing to see what young people are doing to take stand in what they believe there should be a change. However like in every situation, it can still be improved. Many schools make it mandatory to get certain amount of community service hours to graduate high school, but that does not really make difference towards making young people socially responsible. Those who really want to and are socially responsible take on the work themselves. Those who are exploring or are really into it need to find the opportunities that will help them.

Do Something does just that. It encourages and opens many doors for young people looking for opportunities to ‘do something.’ I remember how I came to know about do something. I was just surfing the web trying to look for any organization that worked with reducing global warming because at that time I was working on a project called Pump It Up to help reduce global warming rate and that’s when Do Something.org popped up. I checked out the site and it was truly amazing. It celebrates young people striving to create a difference, and from there I got engrossed in it. I posted my projects and I kept doing it. I know Do Something.org has not only changed my life but many others as well by the service and encouragement they provide.

Glenn Means, DS Club President: If you are meaning that kids are socially responsible and capable of doing things yes they are. Young people are able to do things that adults today seemed amazed about. I hate when adults think that we can not do anything when actually we can do a whole lot if they give us a chance. Adults are constantly harping on youth being the problem but really we are the solution. I think that we would have a lot less problems with our younger population today if we would let youth have a say in the decisions that affect them. Youth know what they want. Do Something knows exactly what I am saying. Do something believes in youth and most of all believes that we can do something to change the world. Nothing is impossible with this organization. Young people rely on this organization for resources, funding, and an organization that provides a voice for young people.

Why did you get involved with DoSomething.org?

Gregory Castille, Grant Winner; I got involved with DoSomething.org originally because I was searching for opportunities around Houston to volunteer. While browsing DoSomething.org I saw that you could also tell them about ideas you have or projects you have done in your community. I thought this would be a chance to let others know about Peers Mentoring Peers (PMP) program that I currently help run. I was intrigued by the opportunity of winning money to lessen the burden of having to find even more finances toward helping our organization. Off a whim, I decided to upload our information to the website as a way to inform others of what I felt was a great way for others schools to learn about this type organization. It was so easy to input the information that began to search through the website and applied for the DoSomething grant. I didn’t really think that PMP would actually win but I did it anyway.

Radhika, DS Club President, YAC: Do Something Organization is a very special part of my life now. It has not only given me new hopes and dreams to create a significant difference in the world but also that it is POSSIBLE to create a difference being only one person. I want to give back to the society when I grow up too, so to see such an organization in the society I feel it is a great way to encourage other young people to take a stand and create difference.

Glenn Means, DS Club President; I got involved with Do Something.org because I wanted to be a voice for young people. Very rarely do you hear of youth being able to serve on boards in your own state especially as well the national level so I figured this would be a great place to start. I also got involved because I wanted our club to partner up with Do Something, to strength the organization structure and help with different campaigns Do Something provided. I have enjoyed working with an organization that cares about what the youth think and being part of organization where your opinion is actually wanted is a great feeling. I am also very happy to work with the Do Something Youth Advisory Council where I work with a very great group of young people across that nation that all care about helping others.

How has your experience with DoSomething impacted your life?

Gregory Castille, Grant Winner: This experience has been great. It has opened doors for Peers Mentoring Peers and has also somewhat turned myself into an overnight celebrity. We have been able to do so much more for the freshmen students that benefit from the help of DoSomething. Before the program was started, a timeline was prepared of the organizations goals. Because of DoSomething we have surpassed all of those goals and are able to continue on. As for myself, it is kind of fun to be able to see my impact on the organization actually being noticed. Sometimes you can get disgusted because you feel no one really cares about what you want to happen for your peers, but programs like DoSomething reinvigorates you to continue.

Radhika, DS Club President, YAC: 100% it did. Do something has opened the door in my life to approach what I want at a national level. I have a dream and I am working towards making that dream successful that my School Is Cool project is successful globally. I would like to go to few very poor Indian villages which lack facilities in their school and try to assist them and the students. But currently I am working on a community wide project just with my school students. I want to help those students who are struggling in their school work to succeed and inspire them about life. After starting my DS club in the school the club members and I are launching this project. We hope to make a success of this project by inspiring and touching many lives.

Glenn Means, DS Club President: The first thing that comes to mind blessed. I am very blessed to have the opportunity to work with staff, youth advisory council members, and young people all across the world. Without this organization I would not have had the opportunities to voice my concerns and do what I love "helping youth succeed at the highest potential”. I am strong advocate in service and believe that Do Something channels into young people’s desire to go out and show the world what they are made of. Do Something has impacted my life, by helping me to provide change in someone else’s life. Do Something has provided me with resources to show others that I care about what they are doing and help me to provide assistance. Do Something is an organization that has helped me strengthen the attributes that I already possess and help discover things about myself that I thought I could never do.

What do you think schools could do to get more kids involved with the community?

Gregory Castille, Grant Winner: Schools can provide more opportunities. Students are willing to be involved in their community if they are given the chance. Kids enjoy being able to say that they helped out. Schools are given the distinct purpose of educating students. But what they can sometimes forget is educating does not include only in the classroom. Students find ways to have fun and help out. If for nothing more than just the recognition, we love to do these type projects. Take for instance, a school wide food drive to help the less fortunate. If you present in an enticing, fun way, the students will like nothing more than to participate. Going to a convalescent home for Christmas? Let the kids do some of the work, let them feel apart of the project. If schools can carry out some of these ideas, more kids would get involved in their community.

Radhika, DS Club President, YAC: Schools should definitely stress on the importance of getting involved in the community rather than just making it mandatory for students to get in certain hours of community service. That will not teach anything to the students it will only make them hate it even more, so I feel as a student myself schools should stress on the importance of it and the joy one gets from creating a difference.

Glenn Means, DS Club President: It is always hard to get kids involved with the community if you don’t go into it with an open mind. If adults are recruiting you have to go with an enthusiastic approach to show youth that you do care not and that approach that sends them away running. It is said that the number one reason why youth are not involved is because they are never asked. I tested this theory one day and it worked. This student had never been active in anything but because I asked he is now making a difference in his community. Youth are willing to help, you just have to provide them with the problem and they will help you fix it. Youth really like tasks that provide long-term effects and if they can see these effects happening the more the better. Youth like to be challenged and want to do fun things. They want to be active. If you are willing to show your commitment to the cause it will give them a better way to relate and they will be more willing to help.