Kids Making a Difference

Siblings Brooke, 13, and Haili, 16, donate culturally diverse books to classrooms nationwide. “All kids should see themselves represented in books so that they enjoy reading,” Haili says.

Kason Creed, 9, spoke up at city council meetings about the need for inclusive play spaces in his community. If you want to inspire change, Kason says, “you need to just go for it.”

Jordyn Perez, 15, doesn't want birthday presents. Instead, she asks for gifts she can donate to kids in a children's hospital. “Seeing other people’s happiness—that’s all that matters to me,” Jordyn says.

Joy Kuchar, 10, and her classmates are raising money to protect their school courtyard from the invasive lanternfly. "When I decided to involve other students," Joy says, "I was amazed at how our progress increased.”

DeJuan Strickland is tackling food insecurity by helping families pay for school meals. “The fact that I’ve been able to impact people’s lives in a positive way gives me a really good feeling,” he says.

Sammie Vance, 14, is a community activist. She started a buddy bench program at her school in the third grade. Now she helps other schools set up buddy benches. “You don’t have to be an adult to make a difference,” she says.