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Matches Engage in Communities Together
Matches Engage in Communities Together
Part of Kid Power's mission is to empower youth to be leaders in their communities. Together, matches can build advocacy skills, explore community challenges important to protégés, volunteer and engage in their own community engagement projects. DC youth are required to complete 100 hours of community service to graduate from high school. Learn more about the DCPS expectations for community service here.
Here, you will find tools, resources and conversation starters to get started.
Advocating for Yourself
Advocating for Yourself
What is a time you had to advocate for yourself?
Has there ever been a time you didn’t advocate for yourself, but wish that you did?
Who are the people in your life that you ask for help? Adults? Peers? Family/Friends?
Share a story of a time you asked for help and got it. How did that make you feel?
What is something in your life right now that you need or are getting help with?
How to ask for help: Sometimes it can be difficult to ask for help. This guide will encourage you to ask for help when you need it by reinforcing the idea that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.
5 Steps to talking to someone you trust: This guide breaks down five steps to talking to someone you trust and asking for help when you need it. Use it to clarify thoughts and gain confidence to talk about sensitive topics.
Advocating for Your Community
Advocating for Your Community
Conversation Starters:
Have you ever done community service or served in your community? How did it make you feel?
What are the things you love about your community?
What are the things in your community you would like to change?
Do you know of any ways to change them?
What is something we can do to improve/advocate for our communities?
Why do you think civic engagement is important?
Activities:
Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper about an issue of concern to you.
Write a letter to your legislator about an issue that concerns you.
Listen to a 2019 or 2020 Supreme Court argument online and discuss.
Resources:
Next Voice - There's power in your voice. And when you have the right skills and tools to amplify it, that's when you can make real changes in your life and the worlds.
Do you want to learn more about advocacy and how you can impact change in your community? Andria Tobin, Kid Power Executive Director, would love to share more in an informational interview. Click the button to email her directly or reach out to her directly.
DC Government
DC Government
Council of the District of Columbia Meeting & Events Calendar
Watch a City Council, School Board, or County Commission meeting online and learn about what decisions are being made in your community.
Register to vote
What’s my Ward - Find out who your DC councilmember is and where they stand on the things important to you.
Checkout some of DC's community organizers
Volunteer
Volunteer
Nature, Conservation, and Animal Protection Opportunities (here)
Virtual Volunteer Opportunities for High School Students.
Write letters to the elderly in nursing homes (or others ie. youth in children's hospitals, inmates, etc). You can find ideas here and here.
Start your own project! If you'd like to lead your own community service or engagement project, we're here to help! Kid Power is excited to help you get your idea off the ground and will verify hours for school requirements.
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