Philanthropy



Youth voice, youth involvement, youth participation, youth-centered programs, community youth development, meaningful youth engagement, youth civic engagement, child-friendly communities... Each of these titles are meant to summarize initiatives that are //active, empowering,// and //democratic// experiences for young people as they create change in their own lives, as well as the lives of others in the organizations, institutions, and communities they belong to.

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American Express and 'Glee' Team Up For Social Good
Jane Lynch stars as her iconic character **Sue Sylvester** in this ad for [|American Express’ Members Project] which aired recently during the second season premiere of "Glee". In the ad, **Jane** sarcastically says as **Sue**, “The arts? They don’t need your support. What artists do need is soap. Seriously. Next time you meet an artist, smell it. I swear they rub their armpits with onions.” Ha! The ad ultimately advises “Don’t be a **Sue**. Do something good instead.” The American Express Members Project encourages cardholders to take volunteer opportunities, donate to causes, or vote to give money to various charities. And Teens can get involved by entering a sweepstakes to win a chance to give back to their communities with the cast of the hit musical comedy, 'Glee'.

How do you "Do Something Good"? Take a moment to brag about how, in any small way, you make your world better?
[|Share your story]

Volunteerism! What do you think teens are really getting out of it?
Through schools, churches, synagogues, Girl and Boy Scouts, and countless other organizations, children and teenagers are expected to do something, whether it be fund-raising for charities, working at soup kitchens or assisting at animal shelters.

In the most positive light, such service teaches children and teenagers to look beyond themselves and understand the role they can play in their community and country. In the most negative light, it is one more activity to tick off en route to college.

=== But how it’s done and whether it also involves service learning — that is, lessons that discuss homelessness, say, or hunger in a larger context — make a difference. So teens volunteer because they really want to make a change, and some are just trying to get a certain number of hours before their senior year. Do you think volunteering will continue for when it is not mandatory? ===

[| Share your opinion]

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