8 Young People Who Are Helping to Strengthen Their Communities

These are the questions that we asked eight of our members who are making a difference in their communities. Check out what they said below and learn just what community means to them and how they hope to enact change!

1. DoSomething Member Lauren, 18

Campaign: Tackle Hunger

“Community means having a place where you belong; being in the presence of people that are concerned about your wellbeing. It means a safe place to be your authentic self. We all are interconnected. Serving one another makes our communities a better place to live and grow. I want to have a positive impact in my community. I want to be known for seeing a need/concern and working with others to solve it. One way I am doing it currently is through my very own Community Service Academy. I work alongside 26 students from 5 to 18 years old and their families on monthly service projects.”

2. DoSomething Member Rhayla, 17

Campaign: Power to the Period

“To me, community can mean a plethora of things. Regardless of whether it’s a virtual community or a tangible one, community is a group of people that make you feel like you matter and that matter most to you. Whether it’s a group of people with common interests or with completely different attributes, a community has the ability to let people know that they’re not alone. We are only blessed with a certain amount of opportunities to build a community and be a part of one; so why not take care of what matters most to us? My biggest goal in life is to leave the world better than I found it. Whether I make an individual impact on a person’s life or I create something that changes an abundance of lives, I feel that my purpose lies in helping others. I commit to continuing my education in hopes of gaining a diverse range of perspectives so I can help not only the communities I belong to but other communities as well.”

3. DoSomething Member Makayla, 14

Campaign: Power to the Period

“To me, community is more than a location where you live, it's the people around and how we interact. It is a place where we can feel safe and included; being neighborly and caring for one another. I believe it’s important to be a contributing citizen to have a positive impact on those around us. Helping others with even the smallest gesture such as donating a coat or helping throw some salt on their steps can make a difference in someone’s life. Many times the elderly are forgotten and lonely. I wish there was more I could do to enrich their lives. We have a community center for seniors and I would really like to give time to help however I can. With Covid, it has been challenging to take action as I would like. I’ve participated in making ornaments and cards for the elderly as it is a socially safe way to give a little encouragement and a little happiness. I hope to soon be able to visit nursing homes and provide some much-needed companionship.”

4. DoSomething Member Gabrielle, 17

Campaign: Tackle Hunger

“My community has shaped me into the person I am today. As I have had the opportunity to engage with volunteer groups in my community, my eyes have been opened to the very real needs all around me. There are so many needs and while I can't help everyone, I can do my part. My specific city of Lynchburg, VA has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, warm clothing, and quality medical care. I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met and of receiving quality medical care. These experiences have served to deepen my compassion and empathy as I do my part in brightening someone’s day and offering hope in what some would deem hopeless situations."

5. DoSomething Member Jess, 18

Campaign: Comeback Clothes

“To me, community means being aware of issues and working together with others regardless of race, background, and socio-economic status to resolve these issues. Serving my community is important because everyone involved can reap the benefits of learning and self-growth. Additionally, serving my community provides me with a sense of pride and hope in my community, which is also important. The impact that I want to have on my community is one where even the smallest of gestures will have a large effect. To do this, I will challenge myself to help where or who I can, whether it is volunteering my time at church and in the community or co-founding a new club for students at my high school that promotes leadership, academics, and community service.”

6. DoSomething Member Sarah, 22

Campaign: Comeback Clothes

“Community means everything. It’s about helping your family, friends, neighbors, etc. It’s also about coming together with many different cultures and embracing our differences. It is extremely important to serve one’s community because it’s so nice to make a difference in people's lives. I recently graduated from my University in August of 2021 and I am working towards going to medical school. Hopefully, I can make a huge impact in the world of medicine one day! I’ve always been a people person and have always tried to do everything in my power to be there for others and help my community. Whether it’s from creating a safe space or just volunteering/donating, it’s very rewarding to know that you can make such a difference in someone’s life. I loved participating in the “Comeback Clothes” DoSomething campaign. This was actually a very important campaign to me because feminine products are such a necessity! Without them, it can lead to so many health risks and I just want to make sure that these products are accessible to women everywhere. A little bit goes a long way!”

7. DoSomething Member Jana, 16

Campaign: Power to the Period

“To me, community means the people who will always have your back. It is also somewhere you can always come home to. A community will do their best to support each other, whether it be a simple cup of sugar, or helping to rebuild after a storm. A community will always rally together in times of need to make positive changes that will last. It is important to give back to your community as they have shaped you into the person you are today. My community has taught me all of the valuable lessons I know. I have learned the value of hard work, how resilient people can be, and how to take pride in where I am from. This community has built me into who I am today and I want to give back, especially to those who are less fortunate. I hope my efforts allow my community to thrive and become a better place to live for all.”

8. DoSomething Member Caitlin, 17

Campaign: Power to the Period

“To me, a community is a group of people who you know (and do not know) that live in proximity to each other and are connected to one another by working together to create something greater. Serving your community gives you a chance to help out and make a difference and repay some of that support that the community gives back to you. I think that it is important to try to make a difference in any way that you can, no matter how big or small it seems at the time. Whether it's picking up pieces of trash outside, volunteer work, or offering assistance to your neighbors, all of your efforts have significance. I want to positively impact my community mostly by giving what I can to others and volunteering my time when I can. I hope that I can do even more to help others and participate in my community. It is something that I really look forward to doing.”

It’s not too late for you to start making a difference in YOUR communities! We can all DoSomething to leave a lasting impact and create positive change.