The ideal book for young people wanting to make a positive difference in the world. While many teens, college students, and young professionals are passionate about social issues-whether climate change or gun violence, hunger or homelessness, or any other of the countless difficulties which face our world today-and want to help, enthusiasm alone is not enough to make a meaningful impact. But effective advocacy and activism can be learned, and with the right tools, achieving positive social change is possible. Inspired to Action: How Young Changemakers Can Shape Their Communities and the World provides readers with the knowledge and tools they need to turn passion into effective action. From the basics of how civic engagement and political participation form the framework for lasting social change, to learning how nonprofit organizations function and whether to consider starting one, this book gives young people the background they need to find their place in the world of social activism. With practical guidance regarding the importance of communication skills, community building, fundraising, and organizing, this book offers an accessible and lively grounding in what is needed to become an effective changemaker. Featuring personal stories and advice from twelve successful young activists, thoughtful recommendations from seasoned professionals, and an extensive list of resources for further information, Inspired to Action is essential reading for any young person interested in the world of advocacy and activism.
Jean Rawitt is a freelance writer and consultant for the Department of Volunteer Services at Mount Sinai Hospital (New York). For ten years, she oversaw the hospital's Varsity Volunteer Services, where she developed and coordinated a program for high-school students to volunteer on hospital inpatient units. Rawitt is the author of Volunteering: Insights and Tips for Teenagers, A Loved One with Dementia: Insights and Tips for Teenagers, and Friendship: Insights and Tips for Teenagers. She lives in New York City.
Introduction Chapter 1: Why Teens Can Be Powerful Agents of Change Chapter 2: Twelve Young Changemakers - Who They Are, and How They Made Things Happen Chapter 3: Becoming an Activist Chapter 4: Three Fundamentals of Activism Understanding Your Cause Motivating People Organizing for Action Chapter 5: Tools for Activism Civic Engagement and Political Participation Fundraising Networking and Support Systems Connections and Community Mentors Communication Skills Social Media Savvy The Elevator Pitch Critical Thinking Self-Efficacy and Self-Confidence Idealism Preparation Experience Looking the Part Self-Care Willingness to Learn and Grow Resources Bibliography Filmography Index About the Author
In an accessible, informative, engaging, and radically hopeful way, Inspired to Action humanizes the activist experiences of twelve changemakers and offers tools, strategies, and wisdom to support the power of youth. In every social justice crisis young people have made the difference--they have led movements for transformative justice and systemic change!--Jesica Siham Fernandez, assistant professor, ethnic studies, Santa Clara University; community-engaged researcher and youth activism scholar In a conversational voice full of optimism and practicality, Jean Rawitt offers young people a scaffold to support their desire to be agents of change in the larger community. Engaging and inspiring, this book can help you design and construct your path to activism.--Bette Kerr, EdD, Professor Emerita, Hostos Community College, City University of New York (CUNY)
