eveloped with youth in mind. Use this resource as a starter
for
creating a volunteer project that kids (and adults!) will love.
For Kathy and Floyd Hammer, serving together in Tanzania in 2003 has turned into a lifelong passion for fighting food insecurity and starvation. Their nonprofit TheOutreach Program has grown significantly since its inception. The organization has helped to package nearly 580 million meals to be distributed nationally and abroad. Learn more about the amazing impact their service work has had on the world, and for them as a couple, in our special Valentine’s Day video.
Becoming more civically engaged isn’t just for those in a relationship this mon
th
.
Points of Light believes that every individual, and
both inside and outside of your home, allowing you to find a project that fits your comfort level and interests.
In the words of Floyd Hammer, “It just takes one or two people to start something like Outreach, and if they believe in the mission, it will succeed. It’s the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.”
As you make plans, we encourage you to add an element of civic engagement to your schedule and help spread more love and kindness through service this month. Points of Light strives to offer creative, impactful and inspiring ways for people to take action and engage in their communities. We appreciate your support of our mission and ask that you consider making a donation today in honor of someone special in your life. Your gift helps Points of Light create a society where it’s easy to get involved and make a difference.
that Generation Z is one of the most civically engaged generations, with nearly 40 percent saying they have taken five or more civic actions in the past year. But still, many said they have taken less.
We know today’s civically engaged person may express their desire to do good through the purchases they make, what they share on social media, and what nonprofit organization to support as a volunteer or donor. But often times, using one’s voice to speak up on an issue can be the most intimidating step to take, especially for a young person.
It may be difficult for young people to see how they can use their voices and make themselves heard. Parents, family members, and educators can play an important role in supporting children and young people in using and developing their voices. No matter who we are, we all have the ability to influence those around us – from sharing information on social media to speaking at a local town hall meeting to simply having a conversation at the dinner table with family.
Here are some ideas for supporting children and young people in your life to use and develop their voices, along with insight from the Points of Light Youth Council.
Listen. Sometimes, for young people especially, the challenge is feeling that their voices aren’t heard or don’t make a difference. Listening and responding when they raise and advocate for issues that they care about can help encourage them to develop their voice.“The youth are not waiting until they get older to make an impact in the world. We are making moves and your support is always needed. My advice is to give us room to grow and listen to our needs. As youth we see what’s going on in the world and we want to do our part to make it better.” – Khloe Thompson, Youth Council Member
Offer guidance. There are as many ways to use our voice as there are causes we want to support. Learning what issues and causes matter to us and how to advocate for them is a constant process, particularly for young people. Help them think through ways to use their voices safely and effectively.
Provide tools and resources. These tools could include books or other materials about how to use your voice, as well as resources on the causes and social issues they care about. A great place to start is the Voice issue of Civic Life Today, which includes numerous resources, including a Youth and Family Corner with tools geared toward a young audience.“Sometimes the best way to get youth involved…is to show them the ultimate impact. If they know what they’re working towards, they are more motivated to make a difference.” – Adom Appiah, Youth Council member
Lead by example. Perhaps one of the best ways to support young people in using their voice is to use your own. From more formal ways like advocacy to informal ways such as having conversations with family and friends, there are many ways to model using your voice and to support the young people in your life in using theirs.“Leading with the next generation of changemakers has allowed me to found two service projects, each giving me the chance to use my voice to benefit others for the past decade — all because my mom encouraged me to believe in myself and showed me what it meant to serve others.” – Eleanor Schoenbrun, Youth Council member
For more on using your voice, including resources and action plans,
Take Action on Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
As many communities continue to social distance, we at Points of Light encourage people to view this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. holiday as a day of service to the worldwide beloved community. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. often used the term, “the Beloved Community,” a global vision, in which all people can share in the wealth of the earth.
While volunteer and service activities may look different this year, there are many ways for everyone to impact the people, communities and environment around us. Civic engagement can come in so many forms; here are a few ideas and stories to get you inspired.
Find a Volunteer Opportunity Near You. On MLK Day, millions of Americans honor Dr. King’s legacy by coming together for a national day of service and dialogue. Make it a day on, not a day off. Find an MLK Day opportunity near you. You can also find a Points of Light Global Network affiliate near you; many are hosting virtual volunteer opportunities that benefit the local community!
Volunteer Virtually. Many of us are used to being in the community and in person for hands on volunteering projects on MLK Day. Our Virtual Volunteering Toolkit, sponsored by KPMG, can help you plan an impactful day while adhering to social distancing guidelines.
Donate. Is there a group or nonprofit that is doing great work and you want to support them? Consider collecting funds on their behalf and donating it to them so they can continue their efforts. One of our Points of Light Youth Council members, Sanya Pirani, set a goal to raise $10,000 for her local food bank and met the goal!
Purchase Power. You can also use funds to purchase items for those in need. It’s always best to research and speak to others to understand what they truly need, just like Avi Gupta did when he started Project 32, an initiative that helps purchase dental hygiene supplies for those in need. Learn more about using your purchase power in our most recent issue of Civic Life Today.
Listen and Learn. Points of Light’s new initiative, Listen. Learn. Act to End Racism focuses on having brave conversations and providing tools for everyone to take action to end systemic racism. Martin Luther King Jr. lead this work during his life, and we continue to move this work forward. Listen to one of our past conversations.
Use Your Voice. When schools and activities began to shutter due to COVID-19, Adom Appiah, Points of Light Youth Council Member, Daily Point of Light Award honoree and founder of Ball 4 Good realized his organizations model of raising funds through sports would no longer work. He decided to use his social media pages to focus on his passion for music and launched Music4Good. Music4Good are 2-hour DJ sets where he spins music to bring attention to the needs of children impacted by COVID-19. So far, he’s raised almost $14,000 for organizations supporting communities impacted by COVID-19.
Set an Intention for More Civic Engagement
A new year often brings with it a time of reflection and observation
.
This past year has been a year that has changed and transformed the entire world, and
it can feel overwhelming to
think about traditional res
olutions.
As you look ahead to what 2021
could
bring, you
may be
consider
ing
what
small
intention
s to set
for yourself
, and how you can bring your light to your local community
. While intentions can involve structured goals, they also open up space for purpose and
attitude; the
inclusive nature of this word inspires us at Points of Light to think deeply about our aspirations and
mindsets
for this year.
We appreciate that our community of light is powered by each of you. While your intentions will be unique to
you, we hope that you are able to bring
more light
to your corner of the world. Nonviolent civic engagement
in all its forms has the power to bring meaningful change.
If you are asking yourself what intentions you should set, we encourage
you
to consider the ways you can infuse civic engagement
into
different areas of your life.
Our Civic Circle helps
individuals connect to opportunities and understand doing good comes in many forms
.
The framework acknowledges what users have already incorporated into th
eir
civic engagement journey and provides insight into new ways to get involved
.
Below you will find a few resources to help you as you set, or refine, your intentions for 2021.
Volunteer: Find personallyfulfilling volunteer opportunities on our recently launched Points of Light Engage platform, the world’s largest digital hub for volunteering and community engagement opportunities.
Purchase Power: Embrace the power of your purchase to make an impact. Learn more about how your purchases can reflect your values in our Civic Life Today: Purchase Power digital magazine.
Voice:Uplift causes that are important to by using your voice. You can be the spark that generates greater awareness about an issue, inspire others, and gain the attention of leaders who can help facilitate change. Help us uplift the power of civic engagement by sharing our resources or starting a Facebook fundraiserfor Points of Light.
Points of Light remains
hopeful about what lies ahead
, and we continue to be
inspired by each of you, a point of light
in your community
. If you
’ve made an intention to be more civically engaged, we invite you share that with us on social media
at @PointsofLight
. If you have found these resources helpful, we appreciate your generous support, which enables us to continue creating innovative and accessible resources for all.
Many of us know the old adage, “everything I need to know I learned in kindergarten.” That includes please and thank you. And as we cap off this year – a year none of us expected – these two timeless principles are the guideposts of my final wish for you in 2020.
Please remember to take time and take care of yourself, even if only for small moments. Continue to take care of each other and those around you. Please hold on to hope, because there is light and goodness in the world, and at Points of Light we have the privilege of seeing it every day.
Thank you for everything you’ve done this year. Recognize that every action matters, and we’ve experienced that to be more true than ever this year.
Thank you to the Points of Light Global Network, who through their work in the United States and in 37 countries around the world, gave more, dug deeper and provided support for their communities in ways they never have before. Thank you to our corporate partners, who consistently asked how we could work together, support their engagement with community and activate their employees to volunteer in new ways. Thank you to our board members, donors, and staff who helped keep our mission going each and every day, who supported us with every pivot we had to make this year and who believed in the power of people.
And thank you to every single individual who made a choice this year to be light in the darkness. The people who volunteered formally, in person or virtually, the people who chose kindness, helped a neighbor, sent a note, used their voice to speak up for others, who listened and took time to be there in someone’s time of need.
From the Points of Light family to you and yours, please take care and thank you. We look forward to a new year when our light shines brighter than ever before.
Natalye Paquin was the president and chief executive officer of Points of Light from 2017–2022.
She is a visionary and results-oriented leader, with more than 20 years of experience providing strategic, operations and fiscal leadership in the nonprofit and public sectors.
Spending for Good: Families Can Give Back Through Their Purchase Power
Would you like your family to be more involved in helping others or the environment, but feel like you don’t have the time or ability to volunteer? You can have a positive impact on the world around you through everyday actions you’re probably already doing!
Even the everyday act of purchasing items for yourself or your family can be an action that makes a difference. Through your purchase power, every time you shop, you make a statement on how the world should look and encourage companies to also consider the greater world when they make and sell products. For example, if protecting the environment is important to your family, you may choose to purchase from clothing companies that use organic or recycled fabric.
Here are a few other ways your family can flex your purchase power this holiday season and beyond:
Put your money towards organizations that value what you do.
Think about what changes you and your family would like to see in the world. Perhaps you’d like to make sure that families like yours have enough food. Many companies pledge to donate a portion of their proceeds to food banks and to addressing hunger across the world. How can you shift your shopping patterns so that you’re purchasing from these companies and promoting social good?
Upcycling
Purchase power isn’t always about how you spend your money. Sometimes it’s about not spending additional money at all! Maybe the t-shirt you’ve been holding on to for the last few years has reached its wear limit or the youngest in the family has outgrown their blanket. Instead of tossing these things, why not consider turning them into something else useful like a tote bag or chew toy for a furry friend. These are great projects older youth can do on their own, or younger ones with some supervision
Thrift or Swap
Continuing the theme of paying nothing, consider checking to see if your community has a Buy Nothing group where you can find things you and your family may need for the cost of bringing things to the group that you don’t need. You can also check out your local thrift or consignment shop to purchase slightly used items when you don’t need to purchase brand new
Help business communities thrive.
There are many micro communities within the business world made up of different types of businesses, including small, local (within your immediate neighborhood) and woman-owned businesses, just to name a few.When using your purchase power at one of these businesses you’re not only helping a smallbusiness thrive, but also an individual or a family just like yours.
Making an impact in your community with your family can be as simple as shopping for things you need. At Points of Light we believe that the most powerful force of change in our world is the individual — one who makes a positive difference. The value of individual actions, no matter how small, can have an impact and change a life. Together, our collective actions are a force that can transform the world because we know the issues we are facing are indeed pressing.
affiliates across the country to revitalize school learning environments with the goal of supporting students in achieving academic success. Through our School Transformation Day project, employee-volunteers roll up their sleeves for school beautification projects, from painting walls to building outdoor classrooms. This annual event has become a favorite of employees, attracting more than 20,000 Fidelity volunteers in the last 10 years.
This year, due to COVID-19, our decade-long, beloved School Transformation Day was at risk of cancellation. But at Fidelity, we believe that long-term change and success comes through collaboration, listening and adapting to the needs of our communities. And that is exactly what we did. Throughout the regions, our community relations team worked closely with local Points of Light affiliates to understand our community partner’s top needs and priorities during the 2020-2021 school year, mid-pandemic. We also engaged our passionate colleagues across the country to gauge their interest in completing community projects from home, with their families.
New York-New Jersey Season of Transformation
“Despite the unusual nature of 2020, we saw that our employees, while working in a virtual environment, were even more enthusiastic about supporting community,” said Heidi Siegal, vice president, community relations at Fidelity Investments. “Our people are our greatest asset.”
As a result, we pivoted School Transformation Day to a fully virtual, experience reflecting the unique needs and difficult challenges of each community. Our community relations team consistently heard three themes: COVID-19 safety needs, support of virtual learning and addressing the digital divide.
Fidelity assisted schools and nonprofits with replenishing the resources utilized throughout the crisis to meet the ongoing needs of students including COVID-19 safety kits, face shields, contactless thermometers and touchless water fountains.
Employee volunteers focused on the social and emotional support of students. Working at home with their families, volunteers created mindfulness kits and recorded guided meditations and beginning yoga videos for students as part of one school’s new self-regulation room sponsored by Fidelity. Volunteers also created inspirational canvas art to hang in hallways, garden kits for students to build their own gardens at home, classroom safety signs, reading corners to promote literacy and even tie-dyed t-shirts for the students.
Additionally, volunteers placed over 380 Amazon Wish List orders which provided schools with more than 4,000 individual supplies including notebooks, folders, paper and snacks.
A mom and daughter create a mural together in Texas.
Through our community partners we learned that the pandemic exacerbated educational inequalities among students, and none more critical than the lack of access to technology for Black and Brown students. In response, Fidelity committed to providing technology resources for educators and students to effectively engage in remote learning. Students in schools where Fidelity has a presence received equipment needed for virtual learning including iPads®, Chromebooks™, earbuds with mics and lap desks. Many teachers also received a second monitor to enhance their online teaching experience. Additionally, community partners like the Boys & Girls Clubs, which throughout the pandemic have become centers of education by extending their hours to support virtual learning, were supported with enhanced Wi-Fi and additional equipment.
Community and school partners were also supported through a series of grants made in each region. The grant funding was used at the discretion of the recipients to purchase safety and cleaning equipment needed to combat COVID-19, technology for students and teachers, virtual curriculum and more.
“Our strong partnership with Points of Light and the commitment of our employee volunteers make it possible for Fidelity to continue impacting communities,” said Siegal.
The 2020 annual School Transformation Day involved more than 620 employee volunteers and their families virtually connecting with 14 schools and organizations across the country impacting more than 28,000 students and nearly 500 teachers.
Civic Life Today: How You Can Make an Impact
At Points of Light, we believe every action matters. And people want to live a fully engaged civic life
82 percent of those surveyed felt post-COVID-19, we all must get involved to rebuild our communities and country, and 95 percent said they would continue their level of civic engagement or do more to get involved.
But what does that civic engagement look like?
In 2019, at the Points of Light Conference in St. Paul, our President & CEO, Natalye Paquin, unveiled our concept of the Civic Circle. The Civic Circle reflects civic life today – all the ways in which people are engaging to do good, to support causes they care about.
From utilizing your purchase power to raising your voice; from choosing where you work based on company values to committing to a term of service with AmeriCorps; from raising your voice to opening your wallet to donate, there are so many ways to engage.
Over the past two years, we’ve talked a lot about the importance of the Civic Circle. But beginning today, we’re going to dive deeper.
Today we’re launching the first of nine editions of
Civic Life Today, a digital magazine with nine issues, each taking a in depth look at an element on the Civic Circle
, thanks to the generous support of
T
he Starbucks Foundation
. These wi
ll help you understand what each element entails, shares examples of it in action, provides resources and materials for you to learn more, gives ideas for you to take a
ction and provides in depth stories from those doing the work.
Our first issue explores purchase power, or using your expendable income to choose to support companies with similar values to you. Where you spend your money showcases what you value, and can double your impact. We’re excited to explore with you the importance of purchase power.
Season of Giving: Transforming Communities Through Service
On day 9 of 9, we want to thank you for following along with us over the past few weeks. We hope you have found inspiration and tools to increase your civic engagement at a time when the world needs it the most. On our last day, we are shining a light on Service.
Points of Light promotes national service, like
AmeriCorps and
AmeriCorps
Senior
s
, because it unites our country, advances our workforce,
helps address the needs of underserved communities
and transforms lives.
As part of The George H.W. Bush Points of Light Awards Celebration, Points of Light created the Inspiration Honor Roll.
The Awards honor individuals demonstrating the transformative power of service
, and
the
Inspiration Honor Roll
recognizes
both
acts of kindness and service that demonstrate the light that individuals bring to their communities around the world.
As part of the Inspiration Honor Roll, we featured 15 inspiring individuals as Inspiration Spotlights. We recognized Steve Delman and Ava Reinfeld as Inspiration Spotlights for their service to their community as Senior Corps RSVP volunteers. They have gone above and beyond since the pandemic started, delivering over 109 meals to isolated older adults. Learn more about their twice weekly hot meal deliveries and our other Inspiration Spotlights on our YouTube channel.
Whether big or small, your service to the community has a tangible impact on the lives of your neighbors, friends and family.
Points of Light is dedicated to empowering people to stand up,
take action
and accelerate change within their communities. We do this work year-around and invite you to continue
to see daily stories of hope and inspiration and to share our work with your network. Together, we have the power to create transformative change.
Season of Giving: Taking Time to Listen & Learn
On day 8 of our Season of Giving: 9 Ways to Share Your Light, we’re introducing the newest element in our Civic Circle – Listen & Learn. At Points of Light, we believe that taking action often requires us to educate ourselves first. You can do this by listening to experts in the field, the employees and volunteers serving on the ground and the community members impacted by the issues you want to address. As you listen, you will learn strategies for taking action and gain a deeper understanding, so you have the tools to launch effective, social issue campaigns.
How can you implement listening and learning into your everyday life? We’ve shared a few ways for you to explore.
Seek out resources like webinars, podcasts and seminars from reputable individuals, organizations and institutions who are subject matter experts on the issues and causes that matter to you. Use these opportunities to learn but also to practice your listening skills. Powerful listening involves listening to understand, not listening to reply.
Engage with Points of Light’s Listen. Learn. Act to End Racism initiative, in partnership with Morehouse College, designed to empower businesses, nonprofits and individuals to use their influence to fight against systemic racism. You can view recordings of past conversations, access additional educational resources and sign-up for future conversations n our website linked above.
Grow your professional knowledge as a nonprofit employee or volunteer on the Points of Light Community platform. Learn best practices, get insights from other professionals and experts and access our 2020 Points of Light Conference content.
Corporate social responsibility matters, and so we encourage CSR professionals to visit Points of Light’s Community for Employee Civic Engagement (or CECE, as we call it) to learn more about how some of the largest companies in the world are engaging their employees to create social good and support the communities where they live and work to tackle emerging challenges and reach those in greatest need.
The challenges we face have never been greater or more complex. When we take a moment to listen and learn, we can activate more effectively in our communities and enhance our civic engagement thoughtfully. Transformative change endures with the help of every individual realizing their power to do good and getting involved.
As part of the Inspiration Honor Roll, we featured 15 inspiring individuals as Inspiration Spotlights. We recognized Steve Delman and Ava Reinfeld as Inspiration Spotlights for their service to their community as Senior Corps RSVP volunteers. They have gone above and beyond since the pandemic started, delivering over 109 meals to isolated older adults. Learn more about their twice weekly hot meal deliveries and our other Inspiration Spotlights on our