Simple Acts, Big Impact

Zach G. is a thoughtful, insightful teen who believes that we should engage in meaningful conversations about tough mental health issues. He created a media platform, Talk with Zach, that is an important space for teens to connect, access resources, and share their feelings. Everyone should follow this work on social media @talkwithzach and check out his website www.talkwithzach.org.

Sylvie S. is a New York City teen who is passionate about philanthropy and mentorship. She is an enthusiastic leader in PACT - the Philanthropic Advisory Council for Teens - at the UJA Federation of New York.

If you want to learn more about PACT or other teen leadership programs at UJA-Federation, check out the Center for Youth Philanthropy and Leadership at www.ujafedny.org/cypl-pact

CJ. is a big-hearted 15-year-old from Atlanta who turned a personal tragedy into an incredible purpose, providing blankets for people who are dealing with loss, trauma, and other hardships. He launched a nonprofit called Blankies for My Buddies. He wrote a children's book called "And Then There Was One." CJ is also a Giving Tuesday Spark Leader.

www.blankies4mybuddies.org
@blankies4mybuddies
www.givingtuesdayspark.org
@givingtuesdayspark
www.goodgriefbooks.net

Daisy H., a 13-year-old 9th grader from NYC, started Including You to create a community of learners and to promote friendship and inclusivity. If you'd like to learn more, or to become a mentor or mentee, check out www.includingyou.org or follow on social media @includingyou

Today we will learn about financial literacy with Jacoby K., a high school senior from New Jersey. Jacoby was inspired to create a financial literacy curriculum after watching a documentary on ESPN (reminding us that inspiration to do good can come from anywhere!). Jacoby also teaches us the importance of finding a mentor to help turn your ideas and aspirations into reality.

In this episode, Jacoby mentions the documentary Broke which is part of the 30 for 30 series on ESPN. He also talks about finding a mentor through the Curious Cardinals platform. Learn more at www.curiouscardinals.com

To learn more about Finance for Athletes, check out the website at www.financeforathletes.com or follow on IG @finance.for.athletes

Hailey R. is a big-hearted teen whose mission is to help kids who have a family member with Alzheimer's. Her work is inspired by her love for her grandma, whom she calls her best friend, who lived with the disease. Her organization, Kid Caregivers, encourages young people to visit with institutionalized seniors, and to do puzzles with them. Intergenerational services is so powerful. I hope this episode will inspire you to spend some time with an elderly neighbor or family member.

In this episode, we hear from Jackson, a 17-year-old from Lake Oswego, Oregon whose passion for running inspired him to start a "24 miles in 24 hours" challenge. He uses this effort as a fundraiser, and over the last three summers, he has raised over $12,000 for two local nonprofits.

Jackson has raised money for Hunger Fighters (a local food pantry that was started by a teenager) https://www.hungerfightersoregon.org/
and
Respond to Racism https://www.respondtoracism.org/
a neighborhood effort to interrupt racism through dialogue, learning, and action.

Jackson's Go Fund Me Page https://www.gofundme.com/f/7p2qu-24-miles-in-24-hours-food-insecurity-fundraiser

With Halloween coming at the end of the month, this is an important episode! We meet from Emma Rose Shapiro (who is my first adult guest on the podcast) who started a nonprofit called Halloween Helpers when she was just 12 years old. Halloween Helpers collects and distributes new and gently used Halloween costumes to children in need in the US and around the world. I hope this episode inspires everyone to think of ways to give back around their favorite holiday traditions.

To donate costumes, request costumes or learn more, go to

www.thehalloweenhelpers.com