Let us honor Juneteenth’s legacy by committing ourselves to continuous learning and critical patriotism.
Together, as active citizens, we can build a future where freedom, equality, and justice are not just ideals but lived realities. This day not only commemorates our past but also a call to action for a brighter future. Please check out 19 things that you can do this summer to foster connection and community.
19 Ways to Engage in Your Community this summer – inspired by the issues that GC students have focused on over the last year:
- Volunteer at Local Shelters: Learn about the needs of unhorsed community members in your town and spend time helping at homeless shelters or other service providers.
- Community Clean-ups: Organize or participate in local park or beach clean-ups.
- Practice bridging across lines of difference: Free Educator Toolkit and this tool was created by Greater Good Science Center, Generation Citizen, and Making Caring Common for kids and their families.
- Help maintain or create community gardens to promote local food growth.
- Library Programs: Help out with summer reading programs or events at the local library.
- Become a Mentor or Coach: Volunteer as a coach or assistant for local youth sports teams or become a civic mentor.
- Promote Voter Registration and Pre-Registration: Organize or participate in voter registration drives (and pre-registration drives where applicable) to help others register to vote. Rock the Vote
- Distribute Campaign Materials: Hand out flyers, put up signs, and distribute literature to promote issues you support.
- Host Informational Events: Organize forums, discussion groups, or educational events to inform the community about the issues at stake.
- Write Letters to the Editor: Submit opinion pieces or letters to local newspapers to voice your support for an issue that matters to you.
- Join or Form Advocacy Groups: Get involved with local political or issue-based groups that work on voter education, policy advocacy, or community organizing.
- Food Drives: Collect and distribute food to local food banks.
- Attend Town Halls and Debates: Go to local town halls and debates to stay informed and ask questions directly to candidates.
- Bring Generation Citizen to your community. generationcitizen.org/get-involved/
- Neighborhood Improvement Projects: Help with projects like building benches, painting public spaces, or planting trees.
- Environmental Advocacy: Green your routine and get involved in local environmental groups.
- Support Local Businesses: Promote and shop at local businesses to help boost the local economy.
- Build relationships with community members of different ages and listen to what matters to them Beyond passing the Torch Report
- Learn about running for office in the future.
By engaging in these activities, young people can make a meaningful impact on their communities and develop valuable skills and experiences.