3 students who are changing the world
We’re staying at a hotel in Orlando tonight. There are two large
convention groups staying here: A group of homosexuals and a group of
New Agers. It makes for some interesting conversations in the
elevator. Yes, America, circa 2008; we’ve come a long way, baby.
convention groups staying here: A group of homosexuals and a group of
New Agers. It makes for some interesting conversations in the
elevator. Yes, America, circa 2008; we’ve come a long way, baby.
One proxy for our societal drift is the angst you hear from a lot
of young people. They see their see their peers messing up; they
listen to CNN, and they wonder “where’s the hope?” So we need to see
examples of the ways that a few of them are changing the world.
of young people. They see their see their peers messing up; they
listen to CNN, and they wonder “where’s the hope?” So we need to see
examples of the ways that a few of them are changing the world.
I
found some good examples on the CNN site: Young People Who Rock. Here are three of them:
found some good examples on the CNN site: Young People Who Rock. Here are three of them:
1. Seventeen-year-old Melissa Urfirer founded Shootfor Success after working as a volunteer with homeless youth in New York
City – When kids experience tragedy, they don’t express themselves as easily as
adults do. Urfirer saw that when she taught poetry at a local homeless shelter.
Some kids didn’t take to it very easily, but their feelings were brought out
when Melissa brought out disposable cameras.
when Melissa brought out disposable cameras.
The kids eagerly captured the
scenes of their lives, writing quick, cathartic captions about what they saw.
Melissa saw the shots as art. She also saw how the photos represented their
ability to dream.
scenes of their lives, writing quick, cathartic captions about what they saw.
Melissa saw the shots as art. She also saw how the photos represented their
ability to dream.
2. 18 year-old Catherine Cook started myyearbook.com,
the third largest social network in the United States. She did so after hearing the story of Megan
Meier; a 13-year-old girl who killed herself after being harassed online.
the third largest social network in the United States. She did so after hearing the story of Megan
Meier; a 13-year-old girl who killed herself after being harassed online.
So
far, some 200,000 teens have pledged to “think before they click” and learn how
to respond if they are the target of a cyberbully. Catherine hopes to have 1
million people sign the pledge in 2008.
far, some 200,000 teens have pledged to “think before they click” and learn how
to respond if they are the target of a cyberbully. Catherine hopes to have 1
million people sign the pledge in 2008.
3. Kate
Atwood’s mom died from breast cancer
when she was 12. Atwood saw the need for an organization to bring bereaved
children together to let them know they’re not alone.
Atwood’s mom died from breast cancer
when she was 12. Atwood saw the need for an organization to bring bereaved
children together to let them know they’re not alone.
In 2003, she started Kate’s Club, a group that empowers kids
after the loss of a parent or sibling.
after the loss of a parent or sibling.
What other examples of “young people who rock” do you know?
Comments (3)
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thank you LORD for our young people .
Amen to world changers! 1 Tim 4:12, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example…”
Thanks Seth. I head to Phoenix for a few days next week. Jesus has been my comfortably uncomfortable friend these days. Life is short. We can’t share in the glory of Christ without sharing in His suffering. He cares about our character not our comfort. He won’t recognize much of the Westernized church these days. Squalor, train stations, ghettos and villages lure His attentionfor a few examples.
I love that He promises to finish what He starts in us and tells us to love hard and live light…..
Love you like a brother,
Butch