Get inspired by these ninth graders: 6 ways you can change the world
Done anything good lately? For society?
If you need a dose of inspiration, check out Providence Day School’s “Be the Change,” a year of service-learning that every ninth grader undergoes to learn about poverty in Charlotte. It was brought to PDS by Kelly Brooks, the woman behind SHARE Charlotte and this year’s big push in our community behind #GivingTuesday on Dec. 1.
The program involves three service days over the year. The first, held Nov. 20, focused on the effects poverty has on children, families and animals in the Charlotte community.
Here’s a glimpse of what these 14- and 15-year olds accomplished – and what you can do today to help.
Charlotte Family Housing
PDS and Be the Change: Students raked and bagged leaves, trimmed weeds and bushes, cleaned the day center and kitchens, organized welcome baskets and baked cookies for after school.
What you can do: Make a Welcome Bucket for families once they move into permanent housing. Welcome Buckets include a mop, broom and dust pan, kitchen garbage bags, laundry detergent, dryer sheets, dishwashing detergent and cloths, cleaning products (Windex, Scrubbing Bubbles, etc.), and a bucket. Drop off at the Plaza Place shelter, 2410 The Plaza.
Urban Ministry Center
The Agency: Urban Ministry Center is an interfaith organization dedicated to bringing the community together to end homelessness. Services include a soup kitchen, laundry, showers, mail, telephone and counseling. It also provides permanent housing for the chronically homeless, and enrichment programs such as art, gardening, soccer and a choir.
PDS and Be the Change: Students worked in the gardens, cleaned and re-stocked the art room with supplies and made sandwiches for lunch.
What you can do: Work the phone center, sort mail, job counsel or drive a van. Plenty of opportunities.
The Humane Society of Charlotte
PDS and Be the Change: Students raked leaves, swept out cobwebs, restocked and organized storage barns, sanitized interaction areas, cleaned kennels, cleaned up trash and pulled weeds.
What you can do: Volunteer at the spay/neuter clinic on Wednesdays. You’ll check in clients, answer questions and pass out information. If that doesn’t work for you, there are plenty of other activities here!
The Relatives
The Agency: The Relatives is Mecklenburg’s only shelter for homeless and runaway youth.
PDS and Be the Change: Students talked with young adults who have received support from On Ramp, a program for those needing help in making the transition to adulthood.
What you can do: The Relatives needs recreational equipment, including footballs, basketballs, kickballs, soccer balls, baseball gloves and bats, jump ropes, electric pump and needles for sports equipment, board games, DVDs, art supplies and bikes. Find more here.
Spay Neuter Charlotte
PDS and Be the Change: Students completed discharge paperwork for dogs and cats, added the clinic’s monthly special flyer to its brochures, created outdoor houses for feral cats to provide shelter for the winter season, restocked and organized storage areas.
What you can do: Use your personal Facebook page to advocate for local programs and services helping with spay neuter and adoptions. Learn more about spay and neuter services here.
Crisis Assistance Ministry
PDS and Be the Change: Students provided sandwiches and beverages for clients waiting for services.
What you can do: Donate your new or gently used clothes and household items. Items need to be clean, in-season and wearable. Especially needed are belts and purses; comforters/sheets/blankets/towels; dishes/cups/glasses; luggage/bags; clothing; new underwear and socks; pots and pans; shoes and socks. Drop off at 500A Spratt Street.
This story was originally published November 22, 2015 at 5:12 PM.