Global Youth Fund

Youth Fellowship Program

2009-11-07T00:02:31Z

With the launch of our Creative Activist Toolkit (viewed more than 10,000 times), Global Youth Fund is also launching a new Youth Fellowship Program that will put the toolkit to work.

We have elected three young leaders to be our first fellows. Over the next few months, we will apply the best practices laid out in the toolkits to their projects and demonstrate the difference the toolkit can make to social ventures.

Our first three fellows are:

Brady Baldwin, My Own Book
Brady and his brother, Kyle, started My Own Book to spread the joy of reading to disadvantaged youth, many of whom grow up without books in their homes. To date, his organization has given out more than 25,000 new books to children throughout North America.

Javier Fernandez-Han, Inventors Without Borders
The winner of Youth Venture’s Invent Your World competition, Javier also leads an organization that inspires and trains teenagers serve the 90% of the world that lives in poverty.

Moses Odhiambo, Lake Victoria Sunset Birders
Featured in an upcoming MTV documentary on young environmentalists, Moses has implemented seven ecological toilets in the wetlands of Kisumu in order to prevent human waste from contaminating the fragile environment. His goal is to protect the wetland ecosystem for all its inhabitants – human and non-human.

We will document their journey step-by-step and we invite you to follow along as they get a “social impact makeover.”

Our hope is to add three more youth fellows from Vancouver, Canada, very soon. Stay tuned!

The Creative Activist Toolkit

2010-05-02T19:13:45Z

It’s been said “you can’t be passionate about something you suck at.” We believe that’s true. That’s why we are turning our attention to creating a groundbreaking toolkit to help young changemakers get really good at creating social change.

In collaboration with the Creative Visions Foundation, we are producing The Creative Activist Toolkit™ as a series of presentations that can be viewed and downloaded online. Each chapter will share insights and inspiration from other “creative activists” and let you in on the secrets of their success.

In the first few chapters, you will learn how to:

Address root causes of a problem, not just its symptoms.
Create a simple and effective video about your project.
Get media attention for your project.
Make a real difference on the issue you care about.
Communicate your message and make an impact.
Develop an effective strategy for change.
Create a presentation for fundraising.

Check them out, put them to use, and let us know if they helped you or how we can improve them.

| Get your SlideShare Playlist

For Youth, By Youth
Unlike other toolkits out there, The Creative Activist Toolkit™ is also a platform for all to contribute. You can share your own tips and insights at our community, or you can work with us to produce your own chapter.

If you have a great story, a lesson, a how-to guide you’d like to share, get in touch with us. We’ll help you put it together.

The more we can help one another create effective change, the impact we can make in the world and the more youth we can inspire to join our cause. Take action now! Download and share!

Sponsor the Toolkit
If you find the toolkit to be helpful, consider sponsoring or donating to Global Youth Fund to produce more chapters.

By donating to this project, you will receive:

name recognition for your support
link to your website (if appropriate)
PDF versions of the toolkit emailed to you before general release
our gratitude!

Every donation is split 50/50 between Global Youth Fund and youth leaders who help us produce toolkit chapters. By supporting us, you will support them too!

DONATE Now!

New Community Site Launches

2009-07-17T02:02:46Z

We are pleased to announce the launch of our new online community for young changemakers.

Built on the Ning platform, it’s easier for members to interact, form groups, and submit their own content – text, photos, video, etc.

So head on over there and check it out by clicking this link:

http://globalyouth.ning.com

What can you expect from the new community?

1) Stories of inspiring young leaders from around the world.
2) Opportunities, grants, events you don’t want to miss!
3) Inspiring multimedia about youth-led change.
4) Mentorship from Global Youth Fund’s staff and volunteers!

The site you’re on right now – www.globalyouthfund.org – will remain the official site. Come back here for information about our programs and activities.

We look forward to your participation!

Charles Tsai
Executive Director, Global Youth Fund

Interview: Deara Okonkwo on Leadership

2009-01-26T03:19:24Z

Deara Okonkwo, 18, will be the first to tell you she’s “ambitious.” At age 17, when most American teens are just finishing high school, Deara graduated from a prestigious university with a degree in English and a minor in psychology. Outside of school, she runs her own dance studio, which opened when she was 16 – a gift from her mom. Deara aspires to open her own charter school and become Secretary of Education someday. Don’t be surprised if she’s the youngest in that role!

What would you say is the most important impact you’ve made?

The most important impact that I’ve made would be the establishment of my dance studio, DeDe Dance Studio. I founded DeDe Dance Studio in 2004, when I was 14 at the time, and with the support of my mother, my aunt Delores, and residents of my community believing in me, I established my organization in 2006, celebrating the Grand Opening of DeDe Dance Studio on my Super Sweet 16.

DeDe Dance Studio has been a blessing to the children and families of South, Los Angeles because it provides children a safe environment to express themselves in positive & creative ways. It brings the families together in harmony to celebrate the diversity in the arts and support youth in positive involvement.

I have worked very closely with hundreds of people ranging from toddlers to adults. Inasmuch as people believe that I am their leader and inspiration, my students in return spark inspiration in me because many of them come from impoverished backgrounds and lack the support that I received from my parents daily yet are resilient and determined, embodying what stands as a strong child.

Who or what inspired you to become a leader? How did it all begin?

My mother, Kendra Okonkwo, inspired me to become a leader. Ever since, I was about 6 or 7, I expressed dreams of becoming world-renowned humanitarian. My mother believed in me and supported my endeavors including starting college at the age of 10, founding a dance studio at the age of 14 and currently pursuing graduate school at 18 years old. My interest in starting a dance studio sparked from the experience of participating in Debbie Allen’s Summer Intensive in 2001.

My parents invested in my childhood and supported my passion for the arts despite the costly tuition. Furthermore, I in return, expressed my appreciation by teaching what I had learned to the kids in my neighborhood. From backyard classes to teaching at my mother’s private school, my mother began to discover my talent of empowering youth through the arts. Many of my dance students began adopting my values, beliefs even some of my clothes habits. Through dance, I encouraged many to see the beauty in diversity. Because of dance, many of my peers finished high school and matriculated to college. Dance enabled me to serve as an inspiration for youth and I am humbled to be the leader.

What three things have contributed to your success?

God has chosen me to be his instrument. I am humbled to have been a light for the children in my community and I aspire to take my programs back to my parent’s native home, Nigeria.
The support of my parents and their believing in me no matter how audacious my goals may have seemed.
Humility is the key to my success. Had I felt too big of myself in the beginning, I would have never reaped the support of everyone that continuously works to plant seeds with me.

When do you most feel “in the zone”?

I feel “in the zone” when I am conversing with people who believe in me and the work that I do. I also get utmost gratification when I see my kids perform. To witness the excitement and joy in the eyes of the children and their parents makes me overjoyed by the work that I have been called to do.

Is there one story that illustrates why you do what you do?

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned from your work as a leader?

I learned to talk less and listen more. Despite the cliché, it is essential as a leader. A prudent change agent listens to the voice of his/her people, thinks about their opinions and carefully makes a decision in the best interest of his/her people.

Who are the current leaders or thinkers you admire?

My mother, Kendra Okonkwo is my role-model. The entire world may not know her name but she indeed is a woman that embodies a true leader. A leader is someone who supports another through trials and tribulations and my mother has been there for me, even when my dreams may have deemed too exceptional. My mother makes sacrifices to support her children and she indeed forfeited innumerable opportunities to invest in my dreams.
I also admire many young leaders such as Talia Leman, Founder/CEO of RandomKid where they believe in ‘the power on ANYone’. She is an audacious philanthropist who I believe will be in charge of the US someday. Her mother Dana Leman is a wonderful woman and is an inspiration for the work I do.
I recently learned about a 17 year old CEO, Jasmine Lawrence- awe-inspiring, I tip my hat off to her. She turned a problem (her hair falling) to her success. (That’s what I name a change agent).
Lastly, a young girl who is firm in her beliefs and walks that which she preaches, Taylor Moore. She is an 18 year old inspirational speaker and TV producer who models a message of excellence, non-violence and abstinence.
Inevitably, President Barack Obama. I learned the wisdom and knowledge of a humanitarian through his book, The Audacity of Hope, and his addresses.

What book has made a great impression on you in the last few years? Why?

The Youth Walk Devotional Bible (New International Version) by Zondervan is what I hold dearest. This bible shed a lot of encouragement and wisdom for me. It not only teaches me how to build my relationship with God but it provides tangible advice for daily struggles in life.

What gives you hope for the future?

My hope comes from the children that I work with. They teach me how to be a better person and they assure me through their actions that they will strive to achieve beyond what God has enabled me to do at my age. Hope also comes from people who believe in me—those who are there, often behind the wings of DeDe Dance Studio. If I could list the names, I would exceed this page but I am sure that my friends and family know who they are and that I appreciate them infinitely.

What advice would you give to aspiring young leaders today?

Dream BIG and make it a REALITY.
Talk less. DO More.
Focus on the good. There is so much prevailing negativity and if you let it overwhelm you, it will occlude you from achieving your goals. They way you focus on the good is by expressing your gratitude (small or big).

Project Heart: Art from the Heart

2008-11-28T03:56:29Z

Congratulations to the Templeton Chapter of Global Youth Fund for successfully completely the Changemakers Challenge. They have used our democratic process to select Project Heart as their chapter’s official project for 2008-9.

The Templeton Chapter will receive $1,000 from Global Youth Fund to provide art supplies to children affected by turmoil and organize an art exhibit featuring their work and stories.

PROJECT HEART
“Art from the Heart”

Creators: Rebecca and Camille

Our message: Create art from your heart.

Purpose: To distribute art supplies to children whose lives have been affected by the turmoil in the world (e.g. war, oppression) and provide opportunities for their future.

Why is this needed?
Humans are naturally creative beings. Unfortunately, young people in many situations never get to explore this side of them. Our plan is to send packages of art supplies toyoung people in countries under oppression or are war-torn. Our goal is is to give them the opportunity to express themselves in a healthy way and merely create art. The expression of art is also therapeudic for these kids who have experienced great pain.

Inside the package:

notebook (with a sticker saying “This notebook belongs to __________” in their native language)
pencils
eraser
pencil sharpener
pencil crayons

Who will benefit?

We are targetting young people who are not necessarily starving of hunger but those in immense emotional distress from their country being under war, oppression and refugee. Expression of art is a form of therapy for these people in painful situations. The sentimental value of the stickers in the notebooks would be to let them know that there is someone out there who remembers them and will be acknowledged.

Activities involved:

Research and contact
- contacts in countries – through organizations already working there
- schools to send to or other connections
- asking companies for donations

Make packages and sending to schools
- stickers in native language
- physical packaging of supplies

Spread the word
- art show – pay for postage to have art sent back, fundraiser (auction)
- PSA’s through school’s film program
- posters
- facebook groups/events)
- help from other local art organizations

More packages
- help other countries, reach more schools – continue
- possibly sending other media: paints to school, paper, photography(?)

Potentially send people to teach art classes

Help get young people scholarships to art schools
- create a scholarship program, funding

Measurable Goals:
We will measure our impact in young people reached. For the moment, this will mean the number of packages sent (and received). But, at later stages of the project, this could mean a number of different things. Our goal amount of packages to be sent out is still undecided.

Interview: Brady Baldwin on Leadership

2008-11-28T02:31:31Z

Brady Baldwin may be one of the busiest teens you’ll ever meet: A junior in high school, he’s in the International Baccalaureate Program and 4-H; he’s an Eagle Scout, a recipient of the Hornaday Medal for conservation, a Youth Venture ambassador, and a member of the Fairfield Youth Commission. He also runs an egg, wreath and produce business.

But most importantly, he and his brother started My Own Book, a youth-led project to spread the joy of reading to underprivileged children.

What would you say is the most important impact you’ve made?

The most significant impact I have made is running an organization, My Own Book, which has given out more than 15,000 brand new books to K- 3rd graders. In turn this has spread the joy of reading to thousands of children, opening new doors for them and giving them a gift, which they otherwise may not have had. Another impact my organization has had on our community is with the teen volunteers of My Own Book. The teens have benefited from the program because they have gained new skills and learned the value of community service.

Who or what inspired you to become a leader? How did it all begin?

Our program began when I was helping my brother with a community service project dealing with literacy. We didn’t mean for it to turn into an organization. We meant for it to be a one-time shot: building bookshelves, recording books and giving out some books. While doing this we found that some children did not own a single book. We were shocked. We knew we had to do something so we decided to start an organization to solve this problem. With the help of others in our community and Youth Venture, our program grew. We learned from each experience, building our program into what it is today. We plan to continue learning new lessons to build a bigger organization and change the lives of more children.

What three things have contributed to your success?

Several factors have contributed to My Own Book’s success. Youth Venture gave us a $1000 to start our organization but in addition they helped us get organized, making us really think about what we wanted to do and how to do it. Another thing that has helped us is our community which gave us the inspiration to do what we did and gave support by hosting book drives and spreading the word of our organization. The last thing would be my brother and I working together as a team; uniting our ideas and opinions and blending our different talents to form a well rounded organization.

When do you most feel “in the zone”?

I am most “in the zone” when I am standing there when the children pick out their very own book. The enthusiasm of the children can be felt in air as the children eagerly search for a book to read and take home to show their siblings and parents. It is during this time that I see what an influence My Own Book is making.

Is there one story that illustrates why you do what you do?

Over the summer we ran weekly reading events at a neighboring town. There were two little girls, about 5 and 7 years old, that came each Saturday. After several weeks the older girl asked if she could be the reader that week. After that, every week one of the little kids wanted to read aloud to the other children. It really showed that My Own Book was working and spreading the joy of reading by the eagerness of the children wanting to read aloud.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned form your work as a leader?

The most important lesson that I have learned running My Own Book is that everything you do is dependent on a series on smaller actions you have taken. In Autumn Garden it says, “So at any given moment you are only the sum of your life up to than. There are no big moments you can reach unless you’ve a pile of smaller moments to stand on.”

You do not just wake up a leader one day. There are a series of events that lead up to becoming a leader. That first time you ask for a donation, the feeling you get when you first give out a book all influence who you become and build you up to ask for the next donation, the impetus to give out the next book, and to do more. Eventually you can build yourself to become something just as long as the roadblocks do not discourage you. Most importantly you must keep on it everyday to continue to be successful and make progress.

Who are the current leaders or thinkers you admire?

The current leader that I admire is Apple CEO Steve Jobs. Apple creates innovative, simple products that are easy to use. Apple has shown how something simple can drastically change the way people think and do things. I also admire Zig Ziglar. Zig Ziglar emphasizes the power of positive thinking. When asked how he is doing he doesn’t just say “good,” he says “better than good.” He brings charisma and enthusiasm to everything he does.

What book has made a great impression on you in the last few years? Why?

The book that has made the greatest impression on me over the last few years is the Time Almanac. Time Almanac has been influential to me because it shows what a large world it is. It allows me to escape out of my hometown and lets me imagine the difference I can make by reading about famous people and events.

What gives you hope for the future?

What gives me hope for the future is that youth today are concerned about making a better world for tomorrow. It does not matter what the cause is that they are involved in. What matters is that they are looking ahead trying to improve the world. With everyone working together to make a better place our world can be vastly improved.

What advice would you give to aspiring young leaders today?

The advice that I would give to aspiring young leaders is to not get discouraged by setbacks. I would tell them to keep working towards their cause, to imagine the difference they can make if they do not give up.

Interview: Simon Jackson on Leadership

2008-11-28T01:15:30Z

Named by TIME Magazine as a “Hero for the Planet,” Simon Jackson is a tireless champion for British Columbia’s endangered white Kermode or spirit bear.

Simon, now 26, launched his Spirit Bear Youth Coalition at the age of 13 and has worked since then to protect the bear’s habitat. His international campaign is now focused on producing a Hollywood animated movie about the bear, a project that will raise awareness and funds to make habitat conservation possible.

Global Youth Fund is pleased to feature Simon in our first Interview, not simply because he’s a founding director – he also happens to be an exemplary leader!

Simon Jackson, The Spirit Bear Youth Coalition

What would you say is the most important impact you’ve made?

As important as I believe it is to save the spirit bear and its globally important habitat, I’m aware that there is a larger importance to our – my – work. If we can succeed in saving the spirit bear, we will have succeeded in something far greater: proving that one young person with no remarkable skills or intellect, but armed simply with a passion, can take hold of a cause and unite the world.

I think the potential of sending that message to the millions of young people around the world who have supported and championed the Youth Coalition’s efforts to save the spirit bear – and underscore the fact that they truly can do the exact same thing for any issue that they believe in – has the power to be the most important impact the Youth Coalition and, personally, my work can have on our world.

While we’ve made change and had tremendous success that I know has already started to demonstrate the power of one young person, I won’t truly believe I’ve made an impact until the bear is saved. I would trade every honour I’ve received to ensure this bear’s future. That all said, I know we will succeed in saving the spirit bear and I hope, when we do, the real story speaks for itself and inspires others to follow their passion – for it is a remarkable story only because it is unremarkable.

Who or what inspired you to become a leader? How did it all begin?

I never set out to become a leader… or even to start my own organization. I still don’t really consider myself a leader – I’m a passionate, engaged citizen. But my journey began, probably, back when I was 7 years old.

As is the case for so many, my greatest inspiration was my parents. They gave me the two greatest gifts of my life – the gift of travel and the gift of news. Travel – camping trips, driving trips across Canada and around the western US – allowed me to explore my own backyard. News was served up every night with dinner and gave me the chance to connect the places I saw with real life, with current events.

When I was seven, it was on one of those family camping trips that I saw my first bear. It captured my imagination and a passion was born. After returning home, I saw a story on the evening news about the plight of Alaska’s Kodiak bears. In my seven-year-old mind, I felt as if this was an assault on the same bear I had just watched on my trip and I wanted to do something. Being seven, the answer of what I could do was obvious: I would have a lemonade stand.

Over the course of the summer I sold about sixty dollars worth of lemonade (I shudder to think how much my mother spent on buying that lemonade mix!) and sent it away with letters to President Bush Sr. and Prime Minister Mulroney, asking for the Kodiak bear to be saved.

A few months later, I received a letter in the mail informing me that the decision was made to save the Kodiak bear – I thought: wow, I did it! Obviously I didn’t, but it planted the seed that I could make a difference and that was a lesson, a belief that I never forgot.

What three things have contributed to your success?

Passion. My age. Innovation.

Passion because it is the fuel that allows me to keep going in the darkest hours and without being passionate I wouldn’t be an affective advocate.

My age because as difficult as it is to get people to take you seriously as a young person, being young allows you to take risks in order to seize the impossible dream, do more with less because of fewer life demands and responsibilities, and be unique and interesting to the public – especially to the media.

Innovation because I believe I tried to take a different approach to environmentalism, to show that it doesn’t have to be us versus them or trees versus jobs, but could – and should – be a non- or multi-partisan issue that bridges the two solitudes of environmental sustainability and economic bottom lines. I believe we succeeded in building a broader coalition supported by very non-traditional champions and that innovative approach allowed us to reach new heights. And, at the end of the day, we will succeed in achieving our ultimate goal because of innovation – using the forthcoming animated movie, The Spirit Bear, as not only an awareness tool, but an economic engine for change to assist protecting the bear’s remaining unprotected habitat.

When do you most feel “in the zone”?

When I’m under pressure; when I’m giving a speech to a unique, important, and challenging audience; and when I’m having a stimulating conversation with great minds, young and old, who are supporters or respectful dissenters.

Is there one story that illustrates why you do what you do?

When I was fifteen, I had the opportunity to see the spirit bear in person for the first time. It was a magical trip – to walk in a place where perhaps no one had ever walked before; to see this white bear walk out from its dark forest green backdrop…it was awe-inspiring and reminded me why it is so important to save this wilderness. As I was about to leave and board the float plane back to civilization, I went to say goodbye to the man who was my guide for the trip. He and his wife had just had a baby girl and he made me promise his daughter that she would be able to grow up, have a family, and be able to see the spirit bear and have the same experience I just had.

I promised her I would do everything I could to ensure the future of the spirit bear for her future children and for all generations to come. I’ve worked everyday since to keep my promise.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned from your work as a leader?

The power of one: One person, no matter how old or where they live, can make a difference for all life.

Who are the current leaders or thinkers you admire?

I truly admire Dr. Jane Goodall – she’s the elder stateswoman of the environmental community and one of the few leaders I know that walks the walk, not only talks the talk.

However, some of the great leaders and thinkers I admire are those who may not yet be household names on the global stage, but are amongst the most inspiring change makers and innovators I’ve ever come across: Dev Aujla, Shawn Smith, Larissa Vingilis-Jaremko, Justin McElroy, Salimah Ebrahim, Mark Masongsong, Ryan Goodman, Herman Chandi, Matthew Cloutier, and you, Charles! Truly, there are so many inspiring, amazing thinkers I’ve met and know that I admire…I would need a dozen pages to answer this question in full!

What book has made a great impression on you in the last few years? Why?

I’ll admit that while I love to read, my work doesn’t give me much time to read anything beyond news papers and briefing reports. But the last book I read that really stayed with me was probably Hawks Rest – it’s the story of a back country ranger near Yellowstone National Park in the US. Yellowstone is the one place in the world where I feel at home and the book brought to life my ‘home’ in a way that I could never forget. It was probably the best book I’ve read about that corner of the world and it allowed me to escape to the wilds of Yellowstone during tough days on the campaign when I couldn’t afford to actually escape to Yellowstone.

What gives you hope for the future?

Young people, without question, give me hope. While some young people have lost hope and have drifted toward the resulting consequence of apathy, many more are hope personified. They have the clarity of thought and the energy required to take on the challenges threatening our future and if you just look at the inspiring, critical projects that young people are leading – in Canada alone – you cannot help but be filled with a sense of optimism.

What advice would you give to aspiring young leaders today?

As cliché as it sounds: find your passion, dream the impossible dream, and never lose hope.

Every person matters and every action we take, each day of our lives, makes an impact. If more people can find their passion and utilize their skill sets to work on making bold, innovative dreams a reality – without losing hope when the challenges that will doubtlessly confound them occur – we will start to chip away at the seemingly overwhelming and unstoppable issues facing our generation and start achieving the change we so desperately require as a society.

Simon Jackson can be reached through The Spirit Bear Youth Coalition and speaking engagements can be arranged through The Speakers’ Spotlight.

E-Waste Recycling Program

2008-11-18T09:42:15Z

Every year, more than 300 million pieces of electronics - computers, cell phones, all kinds of gadgets - are SCRAPPED.

Whether they’re burned or dumped, they leak harmful toxins into the environment, contaminating our water, land and air.

Alex Lin, 14, installed the first ever e-waste receptacle in his town of Westerly, Rhode Island, and pushed for passage of laws banning the dumping of e-waste.

Instant Grants

2008-11-18T09:00:38Z

Instant Grant Program from Steve Lambert on Vimeo.

Where do artists get financial support? Often, they apply for grants that take months to get approved.

Some students in New York decided there could be a better way – give anyone (not just professional artists) an arts grant – instantly.

This unusual gesture, they hope, would encourage others to reignite their passion for the arts and to see themselves as creative beings.

The story behind GenerosityFoundation.org:

We all learn art in school. Every kid loves to draw at some point. People get fascinated with the details of their new camera, or spend free time writing poems. But eventually, there’s no teacher telling you how great your are, or the camera gets put away, or you just plain get busy and stop. Years could go by before you start again, if you ever do at all.

The FSNUA aims to re-inspire creative thinking and action in everyday people by removing a small barrier and providing encouragement. We give small, unsecured grants in the form of $10-$60 for creative projects thought up on the spot by everyday people. In the past this has included a merchant marine, two 10 year old girls, a US soldier on leave from Iraq, an accordion player from Alaska, and around 40 others. We funded their new paintings, drawings, knitting, and photojournalism projects, and the repair of one accordion. Projects that may not have happened had they not come across 10 people in the park to support and inspire the thought.

Beyond the small amount of money, the project encourages people to see themselves as something other than workers or consumers even if it just for the length of time required to apply for the FSNUA grant. We also hope to re-inspire dormant desires to create while presenting an example of generosity without an ulterior motive.

It’s fair to say the result is beautiful, motivating, friendly and a bit chaotic (in an exciting way).

Recycle Athletic Gear

2008-11-18T08:45:44Z

A star athlete at his school, Bo Palmer of Vancouver, Canada has seen his share of accolades.

But his recent awards are for Triple-S, an organization he started to support students in sports.

The idea is simple: round up athletic gear that people no longer want and give them to children who do.

Watch Bo in action in this news report.

Video Link