High school teens volunteering for the future

In response to the social problems and natural disasters of recent years, there has been an increase membership in charitable organizations and volunteering across the country, and high school students are firmly involved in the advancement of this altruistic revolution.

The American Red Cross, the Goodwill, the Salvation Army and on-campus student service clubs such as Octagon Club, In Society, and Key Club are opportunities for students to get involved in their own community. Groups such as these are vital to the social programs of this country, and emphasize the magnanimity of teenage students and volunteers.

Nonprofit organizations (NPOs) are often the first major form of aid to millions of victims to the various political, natural, and economic disasters. In the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, the American Red Cross was commended for its swift response. However, not all NPOs focus on emergency aid. The American Library Association focuses on maintaining and supporting library education throughout the world, and the Phoenix House is a series of rehabilitation centers that help those who have fallen victim to various types of drug addictions.

These societies attempt to better society, rather than reap profits. This may seem naïvely altruistic, yet, with the amount of support these groups get from the communities they serve, they can facilitate a small paid staff in order to maximize effectiveness.

The most prevailing NPO in Redlands is the Young Men’s Christian Association. Although it is technically a nonprofit organization, it does charge a nominal fee for the use of its facilities. The YMCAs all over the country pride themselves first on their employment opportunities for young adults, their low cost child care, and their volunteer sponsored sports programs. Hundreds of high school students have gone through the YMCA Basketball program, dozens through their roller hockey program. High school junior M. Jiffry was one of the players who went through the basketball program, he articulated his gratitude for YMCA basketball when he said, “Most RHS student has in someway been involved with the YMCA. It helped me grow as a teammate, a player, and a person.”

Students are both major beneficiaries and donors to non-profit organizations. Through service clubs, the average student can become involved in projects and charities that help the people both directly and indirectly. The Octagon Club takes part in the annual Relay for Life, in which the members, along with hundreds of other students and volunteers raise money for cancer patients. A member of the Octagon Club, junior J. Campos, remarked, “Octagon Club tries to give its members a better understanding of the importance of teenager involvement in the community. I know my efforts and participation in events such as the Relay for Life will benefit those in need of help and support, particularly those making the fight against cancer.”

Volunteering has become vital to being considered a “complete” student for college admissions. Due to this, even more students have become active in the community. Yet, not all students do it only for applications. Senior Eric Hagstrom, a member of In Society discussed his motives behind joining the club as, “It makes me feel good inside; I do it all for the little smiles on the faces of the children”

Specific organizations often focus on helping students be successful. For example, the Mustard Seed Tutorial Center is a non-profit organization fully staffed by volunteers, even some high school students. Junior J. Lee, spends her free time helping other students from kindergarten to 12^th grade learn what they need to succeed in the academic realm. Lee expresses the positive aspects of her tutoring when she stated, “It was a great experience knowing that I was helping somebody.”

With all the pressure on youth in this age, some find it difficult to cope, and sometimes crumble under the burden. Suicide is one of the principal killers among teenagers, along with alcohol related accidents and homicide, however, the gravity of taking your life is alarming to many Americans.

Due to this phenomenon, hundreds of organizations have formed just for teens like these. “To Write Love on Her Arms,” or TWLOHA, is a group that collects money and provides counseling to anyone who may feel that they wish to take their own life. The organization began as a fund to help a young, depressed woman who struggled with addiction and self-injury, afford rehabilitation. However, when popular bands such as Switchfoot and Anberlin began to support the organization, it quickly grew throughout the fifty states, all the way to Europe. High school student K. Martin noted, “That sounds like a great program, helping people who need it the most. But sometimes, it can be tough to get people into the programs in the first place.”

Due to their tax exempt status, nonprofit revenues go almost directly to those who need them, rather than being tied up with the Internal Revenue Service. High school junior J. Bueermann stated, “I’m glad the government gives benefits to non-profit organizations, because it encourages them to continue their charity work.” With tax exempt status, aid organizations are optimized for success and through the involvement of students like the ones at high schools, the American Society, as Martin put it, “is at a peak of generosity.”