Many may think that the
Generation-Xers are just beginning to understand
philanthropy. According to a recent article in US News, for many young
professionals, giving to charity isn't just about writing checks.
Instead, the focus is on volunteering, socializing, and networking -- while
also contributing to good causes.
"Many Generation X-ers are more interested in social advocacy and engagement
philanthropy," says Dwight Burlingame, associate
executive director at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. That
means they are more likely to want to work directly with organizations instead
of just donating money, he explains.
Interestingly, the Center notes
that giving rates rise with education levels: 90% of persons with graduate
degrees contribute to charity, while only 58% of persons with high school
educations or less do. And the average annual gift for a college graduate
is $2,633, it reports.
But some young people
want to do more - they want to get involved.
For example, Lindsay Hyde. During her freshman year at Harvard,
she wanted to become a mentor to younger girls in the area, but when she looked
into potential opportunities, she couldn't find any groups willing to work with
undergraduates. So she organized her own team of volunteers and found two
elementary schools interested in working with them. When Hyde
graduated from college in 2000, she officially launched a
nonprofit which now works with over 400 girls a year in Boston,
Pittsburgh, and Miami.
Strong Women, Strong Girls
uses lessons learned from strong women throughout history to encourage
girls and young women to become strong women themselves. The curriculum
focuses both on elementary age and college age young women, recognizing that
both ages really need many of the same experiences and education. Three
basic tenets form the curriculum:
RELATIONSHIPS:
Research which shows that girls and young women need supportive
relationships in order to thrive. For elementary girls, the relationships
form with college women, with peers, and with program leaders.
The young women in college form relationships with the younger girls and
with peers, but also with participating college advisors and one adult
mentor, who is paired with the college student each year.
SKILLS: Younger girls need
help developing social and emotional skills, while the young women develop
leadership and professional skills including resume writing and interviewing.
ROLE MODELS: A role model
helps girls develop aspirations for the future - both through the experience
with college students and through reading a weekly biography of a women in
history. College students learn from professional women and field
experts, who can assist in their preparation for a career.
Strong Women, Strong Girls has
developed a range of resources for individuals and organizations
interested in working with girls and young women. It also has tracked its
success, based on participant surveys and academic achievement.
This program is similar to
Chrysalis After-School programs because it intentionally brings in college age
women who develop mentoring relationships with the girls. This year,
Chrysalis will begin a formal high school mentoring program, designed to teach
the high school girls ("graduates" of Chrysalis After-School) how to
develop relationships with younger girls, how to be a role model, and how to
instruct about specific skills important to their healthy development.
We look forward to reporting on
the success of this program at the end of the academic year. And we're
delighted to have your support and leadership in continuing the work of
building future women leaders through Chrysalis After-School. We’re in 30
schools this year, half elementary, half middle schools – in Des Moines,
Indianola, Bondurant, Saydel, Southeast Polk, and Urbandale. Between 500
and 600 girls and approximately 65 facilitators take part in weekly meetings, with
specific curricula created by Chrysalis for the following:
GIRLSTRONG!
Health and wellness
ON THE
MONEY
Financial literacy
BRAINCAKE
Science, technology, engineering, and math
DRAKE PHARMACY Safe use of prescription and over-the-counter medicines
ProjectSTOP
Violence prevention
Thank you for all you give to
Chrysalis.
