Students

Young People Can Create Change!

Young people are solving problems and creating change, with a growing record of accomplishments:

• Indianapolis youth are assessing needs and planning community improvement;
• Minneapolis youth are reaching out to gangs and challenging the forces of poverty;
• Detroit youth are serving meals in soup kitchens;
• New York youth are rehabilitating housing for homeless families;
• Selma youth are organizing against racial discrimination in the schools;
• Albuquerque youth are protesting against toxic wastes and environmental hazards;
• South Dakota youth are turning school classes into economic development; and
• Los Angeles youth are publishing their own citywide newspaper. (Published by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation)

What would you say is the most important thing you learned from participating in ECLIPSe?

“Anyone can make a difference and make their voice heard”.
“I learned so much through these projects- not only about how to address the needs of my community, but also about myself (my strengths/talents)”.
“Helping others who are in need”.

Right here in Hancock County, youth are doing some pretty amazing things:

• Students from FHS’s Environmental Club participate in a Blanchard River Clean Up project with other community partners.
• Central Middle School students are conducting a school-wide recycling project that helps the environment and saves their school money.
• ECLIPSe students perform a variety of projects as well as granting over $36,000 for local youth-driven service learning projects.
• Liberty Benton Elementary School students designed and planted a butterfly garden at their school.
• Liberty Benton high school students are organizing the first high school based Relay for
  Life in the state of Ohio.
• Students are sitting on a Mayor’s Teen Advisory Council that will be addressing local issues.
  Van Buren Elementary School students created a medieval garden to go along with the new school’s design.
• Glenwood Middle School students created a special outdoor space so that students can do
  homework, read, learn about various careers, and conduct weather experiments.
• Alternative School students landscaped the grounds around their school in order to
  beautify their surroundings. They also helped create a Story Book Garden to promote literacy at Arcadia Elementary School.
• High school students from several area schools are creating a program on teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases that they can share with other area youth in order to promote healthy and responsible choices.
• FHS students are working to preserve and save the Johnson’s Island Civil War Prison
  Camp for Confederate Officers.

Students thoughts about how ECLIPSe has changed them or made a difference in their lives.

“Taught me that service learning is important and practical to both my community and my life”.

“Philanthropy is important to the maintenance of our society”.

“I am a better person now”.

“It has made a difference in my life because is has taught me to appreciate others’ needs”.

“I understand much better the importance of concern with and volunteerism for my community.  This is because I have witnessed more immediately the effects of service and have seen it in a variety of levels, especially when reviewing grant proposals”.

“It has taught me to be more aware of my surroundings and community- their needs and resources.  It has improved my people-skills by forcing me to work with others on my community-foundation.committee as well as many community members”.

What can you do to make a difference and get involved in your community?

There are so many ways that you can make a difference.  Look around your community to see what needs to be done.  Think about things that are important to you, things that you care about, and get involved in these things in order to make Hancock County a stronger community.

Principles for Young People

Don’t believe negative messages.

There are lots of negative messages about young people: “Kids should be seen and not heard.”  “This hurts me more than it hurts you.” “You’ll understand when you are older.”  Many young people hear these messages at home, at school, and on TV.  Don’t believe them. Simply because you’re young does not mean that your ideas are any less important.  Even if you think you don’t have anything to say, look a little deeper.  You know a lot, and you have huge contributions to make.

Remember that you should have a say.

In fact, your opinion is more than important – it is essential. Even if everyone else doesn’t realize it, you have to remember it. Regardless of the negative messages you hear, you and other young people have the power to change your communities and your world.  To do so, you must remember it is your right to have a say.

Speak up.

Find ways to make your voice heard.  You can serve on a board, work with a local program, volunteer, organize a community event, or just talk to your friends about issues that concern you.  It’s all about being active, taking a stand and making a difference.

Find friends to support you.

Taking action is seldom easy, and it can be even harder if you try to do it alone.  Find friends to support you and a team to work with you.  Alone you might make a splash, but as a team you can unleash a tidal wave.

Work with your adult allies.

There are a lot of adults who do believe that young people should have a say.  They often have influence, contacts, and resources that can work in your favor.  Don’t give up on your own judgment, but at the same time remain open to your allies’ advice.  Their experiences are valuable to you.

Do it again and again.

Not everyone is going to hear your message the first time.  Whether you are lobbying your school board to include young people or organizing a neighborhood festival, remember to speak your mind over and over again.  Don’t get discouraged.  Believe in your ideas and be persistent.