Resources
Here you will find a detailed account of volunteer opportunities and educational resources for young people looking to engage in activism. Scroll down to find information regarding issues of Climate, LGBTQ+ Rights, Race, Women’s Rights, Animal Rights, Mental Health, Education, Government, Youth Empowerment, Poverty, and Gun Violence.
Climate
Climate Cardinals - Climate Cardinals is an international nonprofit working to translate climate change research and information, making the climate movement more accessible to those who don’t speak English. Want to get involved? Visit https://www.climatecardinals.org/volunteer
Broadway Speaks Up - Broadway Speaks Up is an Instagram platform giving Broadway performers a voice in the climate movement. Broadway Speaks Up has been supported by performers from over 35 Broadway Shows including Hamilton, The Lion King, Wicked, The Phantom of The Opera, and Jagged Little Pill. Want to get involved? DM Sarah @broadwayspeaksup
Zero Hour - The mission of Zero Hour is to center the voices of diverse youth in the conversation around climate and environmental justice. Zero Hour is a youth-led movement creating entry points, training, and resources for new young activists and organizers (and adults who support our vision) wanting to take concrete action around climate change. Want to get involved? Visit: http://thisiszerohour.org/chapters/
Fridays for Future - Fridays For Future or FFF, is a global climate strike movement that started in August 2018, when 15-year-old Greta Thunberg began a school strike for climate. In the three weeks leading up to the Swedish election, she sat outside Swedish Parliament every school day, demanding urgent action on the climate crisis. Want to get involved? Visit: https://fridaysforfuture.org/take-action/
Polluters Out - Polluters Out was founded due to the failure of COP25. Which is a symptom of a much greater and prolonged issue in which the fossil fuel industry controls every aspect of our society from indigenous lands, governments, banks, universities, and climate negotiations. Want to get involved? Visit: pollutersout.org/join-us
XR Youth - XR Youth is an inclusive group of youth peoples who recognize and are willing to use non-violent civil disobedience to fight for our future and save the environment. Want to get involved? Visit: https://xryouthus.org/support/
Sunrise - Sunrise Movement demands a new chapter in this country and encourages other groups in the climate and environmental movement to join them in speaking out. Sunrise is a movement to stop climate change and create millions of good jobs in the process. Want to get involved? Visit: https://www.sunrisemovement.org/join
Educate
The climate apocalypse is happening now - Wired
Why animal lovers should care about climate change - WWF
How to deal with climate anxiety - Grist
Global warming : The Facts - Nat Geo
Climate change facts - Nasa
Climate change according to a kid - Rappler
How to talk about climate change so people will listen - The Guardian
Ten simple ways to take climate action - BBC
Story of stuff
LGBTQ+ Rights
Volunteer
Advocates for Youth - Advocates for Youth works alongside thousands of young people here in the U.S. and around the globe as they fight for sexual health, rights, and justice. Want to get involved? Visit https://advocatesforyouth.org/our-campaigns/
Gay Straight Alliance Network - GSA clubs, or GSAs for short, are student-run organizations that unite LGBTQ+ and allied youth to build community and organize around issues impacting them in their schools and communities. GSAs have evolved beyond their traditional role to serve as safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth in middle schools and high schools, and have emerged as vehicles for deep social change related to racial, gender, and educational justice. Want to get involved? Visit https://gsanetwork.org/resources/10-steps-for-starting-a-gsa/?civicrm_install_type=wordpress
GLAAD - GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where everyone can live the life they love. Want to get involved? Visit https://www.glaad.org
Human Rights Campaign - The Human Rights Campaign envisions a world where every member of the LGBTQ family has the freedom to live their truth without fear, and with equality under the law. Want to get involved? Visit https://www.hrc.org/get-involved
Pride Foundation - Pride Foundation is building a better, safer, and more equitable world for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people and our families in the Northwest. Want to get involved? Visit https://pridefoundation.org/get-involved/volunteer/
Educate
LGBTQ+ rights explanation - Amnesty International
https://www.amnesty.org/en/what-we-do/discrimination/lgbt-rights/
The equality act and why it's important - Task Force Action Fund
https://www.thetaskforceactionfund.org/thefeed/why-is-the-equality-act-important-to-the-lgbtq-community/
LGBTQ+ health - Healthy People
https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-health
LGTQ+ history - PBS
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/stonewall-milestones-american-gay-rights-movement/
How the gay rights movement won - Prospect
https://prospect.org/culture/books/gay-rights-movement-won/
Race
Volunteer
NAACP - Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. Want to get involved? Visit https://www.naacp.org
Dream Defenders - Dream Defenders was founded in April 2012 after the tragic killing of 17-year old Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman in Sanford, Florida. That Spring, young Black, Latinx, and Arab youth marched from Daytona Beach Florida to Sanford Florida where Trayvon Martin was killed. With that fire in their bellies, they then went back to their communities and campuses to organize. Want to get involved? Visit https://dreamdefenders.org
Know Your Rights Camp - Know Your Rights Camp has a mission to advance the liberation and well-being of Black and Brown communities through education, self-empowerment, mass-mobilization and the creation of new systems that elevate the next generation of change leaders. To learn more visit https://www.knowyourrightscamp.com
Black Youth Project - Black Youth Project amplifies the perspectives of young black people daily without censorship or control. They have built a space on the Internet where black youth can speak for themselves about the issues that concern them. To learn more visit http://blackyouthproject.com
-, an initiative of The Dream Corps, is a national bipartisan effort to smartly and safely reduce America’s incarcerated population by 50 percent over the next 10 years. Want to get involved? Visit https://cut50.squarespace.com/take-action-1
Live Free USA - Live Free USA is building a peacemaking movement led by people of faith and those directly impacted by violence and incarceration. Want to get involved? Visit http://www.livefreeusa.org/#allroads
Educate
Anti-Racism Resource Toolkit https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BRlF2_zhNe86SGgHa6-VlBO-QgirITwCTugSfKie5Fs/preview?pru=AAABcnZds8Y*BosNWbot9-ulTo9FajbiNA&fbclid=IwAR3Qp4sZO-mBv-0z2_ftOlbU8AwjFG8AsJFDbYv4MWepC313v1--31lTatw
Racism TED talks
https://www.ted.com/playlists/250/talks_to_help_you_understand_r
Talking about race toolkit
https://nmaahc.si.edu/learn/talking-about-race
Documentaries about racism
https://www.docplay.com/articles/10-documentaries-to-watch-about-race-instead-of-asking-a-person-of-colour-to-explain-things-for-you/
RaceWorks toolkit
http://sparqtools.org/raceworks/
Women’s Rights
Volunteer
Girls Who Code - Girls Who Code is on a mission to close the gender gap in technology and to change the image of what a programmer looks like and does. Want to get involved? Visit https://girlswhocode.com/get-involved
Built By Girls - BUILT BY GIRLS prepares the next generation of female and non-binary leaders to step boldly into careers powered by technology. Want to get involved? Visit https://www.builtbygirls.com/about-wave
WriteGirl - WriteGirl is a creative writing and mentoring organization that promotes creativity, critical thinking and leadership skills to empower teen girls. Want to get involved? Visit https://www.writegirl.org/join-us
She Should Run - By identifying and tackling the barriers to elected leadership, She Should Run convinces women from all political leanings, ethnicities, sexual identities, and backgrounds to see themselves as future candidates. For more information visit https://www.sheshouldrun.org
Girls Inc. - Girls Inc. inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Their programming – in partnership with schools and at their centers through 82 local organizations – focuses on the development of the whole girl. Want to get involved? Visit https://girlsinc.org/take-action/
Step Up - Step Up works with girls to prepare for high school graduation and empower them to graduate on time. In Step Up, girls work with each other and their mentors to think about and plan for life after high school. Want to get involved? Visit https://www.suwn.org/how-you-can-join-us
Girls Not Brides - Girls Not Brides is a global partnership of more than 1400 civil society organizations committed to ending child marriage and enabling girls to fulfill their potential. Want to get involved? Visit https://www.girlsnotbrides.org/take-action/
Dress for Success - Dress for Success empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Want to get involved? Visit https://dressforsuccess.org/get-involved/
Period.org - PERIOD was founded in 2014 by two 16-year-old high school students with a passion for periods. To date, PERIOD has addressed over 1 million periods through product distribution and registered over 700 PERIOD chapters in all 50 US states and in over 40 countries. Want to get involved? Visit https://period.org/get-involved
Educate
History of women's rights - Historynet.com
https://www.historynet.com/womens-rights
Why women's rights matters - NBC News
https://www.nbcnews.com/know-your-value/feature/women-s-equality-day-why-it-matters-how-you-can-ncna903786
Why gender equality matters - UN
https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Goal-5.pdf
Menstruation rights - UN
https://www.unfpa.org/news/menstruation-not-girls-or-womens-issue-–-its-human-rights-issue
Menstruation and LGBTQ+ rights - ACLU
https://www.aclu.org/news/lgbt-rights/menstruation-related-discrimination-is-sex-discrimination-we-dont-need-to-erase-trans-or-non-binary-people-to-make-that-point/
Animal Rights
Volunteer
Mercy For Animals - Mercy For Animals’ vision is a world where animals are respected, protected, and free to pursue their own interests. Want to get involved? Visit https://mercyforanimals.org/action-center
Animal Legal Defense Fund - The Animal Legal Defense Fund files high-impact lawsuits to protect animals from harm, provides free legal assistance and training to prosecutors in their fight against animal cruelty, supports animal protection legislation, and provides resources and opportunities to law students and professionals to advance the field of animal law. Want to get involved? Visit https://aldf.org/article/take-action/
The Humane League - The Humane League works to end the abuse of animals raised for food by influencing the policies of the world’s biggest companies, demanding legislation, and empowering others to take action and leave animals off their plates. Want to get involved? Visit https://thehumaneleague.org/take-action
Animal Hero Kids - Animal Hero Kids fosters empathy and kindness in children and teens by encouraging and recognizing compassionate and courageous acts that help all species of animals; and offering complimentary, interactive, humane education programs highlighting stories of the rescue and aid of animals in need. Learn more at https://animalherokids.org
Educate
50 ways you can help animals - Humane Decisions http://www.humanedecisions.com/50-ways-kids-can-help-animals/
Why go vegan? - The Vegan Society
https://www.vegansociety.com/go-vegan/why-go-vegan
The vegan diet for beginners - HealthLine
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vegan-diet-guide
14 things you need to know before you go vegan - The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/jun/19/the-14-things-you-need-to-know-before-you-go-vegan
How to be an intersectional Vegan - Plant Based Bride
https://plantbasedbride.com/blog/how-to-be-an-intersectional-vegan
Why your veganism must be intersectional - The Daily Vox
https://www.thedailyvox.co.za/why-your-veganism-must-be-intersectional-shaazia-ebrahim/
Mental Health
Volunteer
The Buddy Project - Buddy Project is a non-profit movement that aims to prevent suicide and self-harm by pairing people as buddies and raising awareness for mental health. Want to get involved? Visit http://www.buddy-project.org/getinvolved
Project Heal - Project HEAL breaks down systemic, insurance, and financial barriers to eating disorder treatment. Want to get involved? Visit https://www.theprojectheal.org/volunteer
To Write Love on Her Arms - To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire, and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery. Want to get involved? Visit https://twloha.com/get-involved/
Project Semicolon - Project Semicolon is a nonprofit dedicated to mental health awareness and suicide prevention. To learn more visit https://www.facebook.com/projectsemicolon/
This Is My Brave - This Is My Brave – The Show is a live presentation of touching essays, original music, poetry and comedy performed by a dozen individuals living with – or loving someone with – a mental illness. Shows are held in cities and towns across the United States, as well as in Australia. Want to get involved? Visit https://thisismybrave.org/support/
The Trevor Project - Founded in 1998 by the creators of the Academy Award®-winning short film TREVOR, The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25. Want to get involved? Visit https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-involved/volunteer/
Educate
Mental health is physical health - Stat News https://www.statnews.com/2017/05/31/mental-health-medicine/
Coronavirus and mental health - Teen Vogue
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/coronavirus-pandemic-mental-health
Why mental health is important in schools - The Doctor Weighs In
https://thedoctorweighsin.com/why-is-mental-health-education-so-important/
Importance of suicide awareness - NBC Boston
https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/the-importance-of-suicide-awareness-in-preventing-tragedy/110848/
Suicide prevention - Baylor College of Medicine
https://www.bcm.edu/news/importance-suicide-prevention
Education
Volunteer
The Education Trust - The Education Trust is a national nonprofit that works to close opportunity gaps that disproportionately affect students of color and students from low-income families. To learn more about The Education Trust visit https://edtrust.org/who-we-are/
American Youth Policy Forum - The American Youth Policy Forum (AYPF) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, professional development organization that provides learning opportunities for policy leaders, practitioners, and researchers working on education, youth, and workforce policy at the national, state, and local levels. Want to get involved? Visit https://www.aypf.org/internships/
826 National - 826 National amplifies the impact of a national network of youth writing and publishing centers, and the words of young authors. We serve as an international proof point for writing as a tool for young people to ignite and channel their creativity, explore identity, advocate for themselves and their community, and achieve academic and professional success. Want to get involved? Visit https://826national.org/volunteer/
Education Reimagined - Education Reimagined commitment is that learner-centered education be available to every child, regardless of background or circumstance. Want to get involved? Visit https://education-reimagined.org/our-core-programs/
Educate
Purpose of education - Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2015/02/12/whats-the-purpose-of-education-in-the-21st-century/
Why education is important - Columbia University
https://edlab.tc.columbia.edu/blog/9886-Why-is-Education-So-Important-in-Our-Life
Why public schools are unjust - The Guardian
https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/08/property-taxes-and-unequal-schools/497333/
Poverty and education - Insight into diversity
https://www.insightintodiversity.com/povertys-long-lasting-effects-on-students-education-and-success/
Facts about poverty and education - dosomething.org
https://www.dosomething.org/us/facts/11-facts-about-education-and-poverty-america
AntiRacist education - NPR
https://www.npr.org/sections/live-updates-protests-for-racial-justice/2020/07/08/889112818/what-it-would-take-to-get-an-effective-anti-racist-education
AntiRacist teaching methods - The Guardian
https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2020/06/how-be-anti-racist-teacher/613138/?gclid=CjwKCAjwm_P5BRAhEiwAwRzSO3AH-r7phwaeH89YPpril8x6HGguhqhXC8HmsZSVtYAWRhGOP8L1rRoCLlcQAvD_BwE
Government
Volunteer
Alliance for Youth Action - Alliance for Youth Action is a nationwide network of organizations building political power for young people, and the premier youth vote vehicle in the United States. Want to get involved? Visit https://allianceforyouthaction.org/take-action/
Rock the Vote - In 1990, music executives founded Rock the Vote in response to the censorship of hip-hop and rap artists. Our first partnership, with MTV, promoted the message that “Censorship is Un-American” and activated millions of young people across the country to exercise their rights and represent their interests. For thirty years, we have continuously adapted to the changing landscapes of media, technology and culture to breakthrough and empower each new generation. Want to get involved? Visit https://www.rockthevote.org/get-involved/
One Million of Us - OneMillionOfUs is a youth-led pledge & education-based organization that will rally young people to register to vote in the 2020 Presidential Election based around advocating for youth rights across America. Want to get involved? Visit https://www.onemillionof.us/join
Educate
How to engage youth in politics - Twenty Thirty
https://twentythirty.com/how-to-engage-youth-with-politics/
Why the voting age should be lowered - NY Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/02/opinion/sunday/voting-age-school-shootings.html
How young people engage in politics - Medium
https://medium.com/chatham-house/how-do-young-people-engage-with-politics-557e6e6b9453
Why young people aren’t more involved in politics - YES Magazine
https://www.yesmagazine.org/opinion/2018/10/10/why-arent-young-people-more-involved-in-politics/
How to talk to kids about the government - Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/parenting/wp/2018/02/19/talking-to-kids-about-how-the-government-works/
Understanding politics helps kids become active citizens - Abc.net
https://education.abc.net.au/newsandarticles/blog/-/b/2852461/understanding-politics-helps-kids-become-active-citizens
Youth Empowerment
Volunteer
National Children’s Campaign - A national, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that serves as a catalyst to inspire and empower America to make children a priority by promoting health, education, safety, economic and environmental security through the power of media, grassroots, internet partnerships, business and community leaders, celebrities and subject matter experts. Want to get involved? Visit https://nationalchildrenscampaign.org/opportunities/
Youth Empowering Society - Youth Empowering Society is a non-profit organization that supports young adults within the urban areas of America by teaching them financial stability and community involvement. Want to get involved? Visit http://youthempoweringsociety.org/donate-2/
Partners for Youth - Partners for Youth Empowerment is committed to empowering youth with the skills that unlock their true potential. Want to get involved? Visit https://www.partnersforyouth.org/engage/
YouthPower - YouthPower believes that young people are at the heart of solutions to the world’s greatest challenges. They are dedicated to strengthening systems in communities to achieve sustainable outcomes in health, education, and political and economic empowerment. Want to get involved? Visit https://www.youthpower.org
National Youth Rights Association - NYRA is dedicated to defending the freedom, equality, and rights of all young people by challenging age discrimination and prejudice. Want to get involved? Visit https://www.youthrights.org/action/volunteer/
Educate
What it means to empower youth - The Aspen Institute
https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/mean-empower-youth/
5 ways to empower youth in your community - Thrive Global
https://thriveglobal.com/stories/5-ways-to-empower-youth-in-your-community/
What is youth empowerment - Medium
https://medium.com/@unnatiblr123/what-is-youth-empowerment-and-what-is-importance-ec3415b1c865
Poverty
Volunteer
End Child Poverty U.S. - End Child Poverty U.S. is a national campaign led by the U.S. Child Poverty Action Group, a partnership of over 20 of the leading anti-poverty organizations. Want to get involved? Visit https://www.endchildpovertyus.org/take-action
RESULTS - RESULTS is a movement of passionate, committed everyday people who use their voices to influence political decisions that will bring an end to poverty. Want to get involved? Visit https://results.org/volunteer
Chrysalis - Chrysalis is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a pathway to self-sufficiency for homeless and low-income individuals by providing the resources and support needed to find and retain employment. Want to get involved? Visit https: //www.changelives.org/volunteer/
Hudson Link - Formed in 1998, Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison provides college education, life skills and reentry support to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated men and women to help them make a positive impact on their own lives, their families and communities, resulting in lower rates of recidivism, incarceration and poverty. Want to get involved? Visit http://www.hudsonlink.org/become-a-member/volunteer/
World Vision - Christian humanitarian organization helping children, families, and their communities overcome poverty and injustice. Want to get involved? Visit https://www.worldvision.org/get-involved
The Hunger Project - The Hunger Project is a global, non-profit, strategic organization committed to the sustainable end of world hunger. Want to get involved? Visit https://thp.org/make-an-impact/
Educate
Facts about global poverty - University of Michigan
https://poverty.umich.edu/about/poverty-facts/
How to eradicate poverty by 2030 - World Economic Forum
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2015/09/how-can-we-eradicate-poverty-by-2030/
Poverty 101 - The Correspondent
https://thecorrespondent.com/10181/poverty-101-how-can-we-end-global-poverty-once-and-for-all/443596351-243043df
Whose problem is poverty? - Economic Policy Institute
https://www.epi.org/publication/ascd_whose_problem_is_poverty/
Effects of poverty on youth - American Psychological Association
https://www.apa.org/pi/families/poverty
Gun Violence
Volunteer
Students Demand Action - Students Demand Action is organized in schools, universities, community centers, and more across the country to call on leaders to pass laws which will keep communities safe from gun violence. Want to get involved? Visit https://studentsdemandaction.org
Team ENOUGH - Team Enough is a youth-led organization whose mission is to educate young voices about gun violence and mobilize them to take meaningful action against it. Want to get involved? Visit https://www.teamenough.org/join-us
Youth Over Guns - Youth Over Guns mission is to build youth power in marginalized communities throughout the nation and encourage legislative advocacy to prevent gun violence, while shifting public discourse towards an evidentiary approach to keeping schools and communities safe. Want to get involved? Visit https://www.youthovergunsny.org
The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence - The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence develops and advocates for evidence-based solutions to reduce gun injury and death in all its forms. Want to get involved? Visit https://www.csgv.org
March for Our Lives - March for Our Lives harnesses the power of young people across the country to fight for sensible gun violence prevention policies that save lives. Want to get involved? Visit https://marchforourlives.com/chapters/
Educate
Gun violence prevention - American Psychological Association
https://www.apa.org/pubs/info/reports/gun-violence-prevention
School shooters info - schoolshooters.info
https://schoolshooters.info
Aftermath of school shootings - Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
https://injury.research.chop.edu/violence-prevention-initiative/types-violence-involving-youth/school-shootings#.Xz60Li2z2qA
What you need to know about gun control - The Nation
https://www.thenation.com/special/gun-control-articles/
Gun rights vs. gun control - Open Secrets
http://www.opensecrets.org/news/issues/guns
6 ways to take action - The Cut
https://www.thecut.com/2018/05/what-can-i-do-about-gun-control.html