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16 www.DesertMessenger.com July 19, 2023 Desert Messenger offers FREE Classified Ads! Here's the small print: Items for sale under $1000. Private Party Only. 1 per month. Yard/Garage/Craft Sales, Wanted, Give-a-ways, Free, Lost & Found, etc. (non-commercial) For more information, contact Rain at 928-916-4235 or Email: Editor@DesertMessenger.com 3 ways people of all ages can make the most of International Youth Day (StatePoint) August 12 is Interna- tional Youth Day, a United Nations effort to celebrate youth activists, combat ageism and help bridge gaps between generations working toward the same change. No matter your age, it's likely you've questioned your ability to make a difference. Research from the global nonprofit Points of Light shows that 73% of people believe that volunteering is more important than ever, yet 66% think they can't make a big impact in their commu- nities. Activists on the ground prove otherwise. That's why Points of Light, which is dedicated to inspir- ing and equipping people to take action, has recognized thousands of volunteers for their contributions to their communities through The Daily Point of Light Award. "Points of Light's research found that Gen Z is the most civically en- gaged generation to date. Our youth honorees demonstrate that people of all ages can strengthen commu- nities and solve persistent prob- lems," says Diane Quest, interim CEO, Points of Light. To inspire you to action this Inter- national Youth Day, the organiza- tion is sharing the stories of youth honorees, along with three elements from The Points of Light Civic Cir- cle®, a framework for helping indi- viduals get civically engaged: VOLUNTEER Nonprofit organizations and NGOs need volunteer power to de- liver support to the communities they collaborate with. If you're an adult wanting to facilitate youth volunteerism, consider organizing a youth-specific event or helping transport the young people in your life to an event. To find a volunteer opportunity that aligns with your interests and availability, check out Points of Light Engage, a database with hundreds of thousands of in- person and virtual volunteer oppor- tunities. The power of volunteering is ap- parent when considering Daily Point of Light Award honoree Nate Buescher, a high schooler who pre- pares food for a local food pantry and distributes home-cooked meals to tent cities around Chicago. Bue- scher began fighting food insecurity at age 7 with the Honeycomb Proj- ect. Today, he mentors younger vol- unteers while maintaining his own service projects. VOICE The youth voice is vital, pointing us to which concerns are most im- portant to future world leaders and helping broaden perspectives. Use your voice to advocate for causes you care about by posting on social media, attending a rally or contact- ing a government leader. Adults can amplify youth voices by sharing with their networks, or organizing forums for youth to be seen and heard. Seventeen-year-old Daily Point of Light Award honoree Maanit Goel used his voice when organizing a rally of fellow activists on the Wash- ington State Capitol steps to sup- port legislation protecting the Chi- nook salmon and orca populations. He also regularly addresses state legislators, and travels statewide to speak to K-12 students about envi- ronmental issues. LISTEN AND LEARN Social justice and environmental issues are nuanced, involving many people with different perspectives shaped by their own experiences. Listening and learning is one way to honor others' lived experiences and get a fuller scope of an issue. Young people can commit to thor- oughly researching causes they care about, talking to those working to- ward solutions and holding space for those impacted. Adults can con- nect with the young people in their lives, inviting dialogue that allows for sharing different perspectives and finding common ground. These are the driving ideas behind the work of high schooler Kristie To, who became a leading force in Asian American racial justice when she founded Hearts Against Hate. Among the initiatives of her non- profit is distributing Asian history and Asian American Pacific Islander civil rights curriculum to children. "Cultural sensitivity starts with ex- posure, and that's what we're trying to do with these elementary school- ers," says To. To learn about other avenues for social engagement, check out the Points of Light Civic Circle by visit- ing pointsoflight.org/civic-circle. "There are many formal channels for civic engagement, but simple ac- tions make a difference too," says Quest. "Whether it's carrying gro- ceries in for a neighbor or donating books to the library, the important thing is to get started when you see a need in your community." ����� | (c) Jacob Wackerhausen / iStock via Ge�y Images Plus ADOBE HANDYMAN & PAINTING • Painting • Pressure Washing • Wall Texturing • Popcorn Ceiling Removal • Landscaping • Minor Plumbing • Minor Electrical • Minor Drywall Repair • Roof Coating • RV Repair RELIABLE, REASONABLE RATES References Available CALL/TEXT 928-412-9642 (not a licensed contractor)

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