Especially for Girls
Have a question and don’t know where to find the answer? Send an email or letter to Dear Jack or Dear Jill for their expert advice in all problems, big and small! They’re here to help and are waiting to hear from you!
After school, I babysit my little brother until my dad gets home from work. I want to volunteer and help out at my church, but between homework and my brother, I barely have time to email. How do I make time for anything else?
Signed, Babysitting in Baton Rouge, 12 years old
Dear Babysitting in Baton Rouge,
Wow! Look at YOU! Your schedule is packed and you still want to volunteer? That’s terrific. Volunteering with your favorite organization doesn’t have to be a huge time commitment. Check to see if your community can use your talents one day a weekend, or even once a month. Some charities, like a neighborhood soup kitchen or your park’s anti-litter campaign, only ask an hour or two of your time once a semester. Don’t feel like you can’t help out, just because you’re already busy helping others. You’re making a difference with your family and concentrating on your schoolwork, and that’s already a huge step in helping make the world a better place.
Jill
My friends and I want to have a bake sale and donate the money to a good group. The only thing is, we can’t decide on which group!
Help! Cookies in Cleveland, 14 years old
Hi Cookies,
It sounds like you and your friends are ready to jump into action and start having some fun in the kitchen. If each of you has a favorite organization, why not host several bake sales and then donate to a single organization each time? Or, you could throw one big bake sale, and then split the money among the organizations? You and your friends will have to decide what’s best for you, whether it’s spreading your gift across several organizations, or focusing on one. Either way, you’ll be making your customers’ tummies happy with your baked goods, and you’ll be helping your organization, or organizations, with their mission. And remember to make sure there’s at least one adult around to help out in the kitchen, in case you need a volunteer-cookie-tester or an oven-manager.
Keep us posted and share your delicious solutions with us!
Jill
My name is Sarah. I’m 8 years old. There’s a new girl in my class, Amelia, who said she’s never had crayons. I’ve never met anyone who didn’t have colors at home. It made my friends and me feel so lucky that we have them, but also really sad. I can’t stop thinking about Amelia, and I want to give new crayons to her, and other kids who don’t have them. What should I do? Sarah, 8 years old Milwaukee, WI
Dear Sarah,
What a generous thought! Have you spoken with your parents, teachers, or friends yet about starting a crayon-drive? Maybe your parents would let you have a small party or your teachers could host a class gathering, where all of the students could bring a new pack of crayons. You could collect all of the boxes and then give them to your elementary school, local community center, church, or temple, where they could be passed out to the families and kids in need. You could even do this once a month, so the crayon donations could be continuous throughout the year. What a great way to brighten someone else’s days, and pages, Sarah!
Draw pictures of your crayon success story and send them back to us! We’d love to share them on our website!
Jill
My name is Patsy and I live in Glasgow, Ireland. I know about the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and I want to help out, but I’m not sure how. I don’t live anywhere near Japan, and I don’t have much money to send for International Relief. I’m only 16 years old. It makes me feel powerless. Do you ever feel that way? --Patsy
Dear Patsy,
Thank you for sharing your concern with us. I admit, sometimes it does feel overwhelming to know where to start to help someone, let alone another country or continent. But Patsy, you’re not alone in wanting to make a difference. Here’s a couple of ways people have been able to show their compassion with The Red Cross International:
--knitting socks, mittens, blankets, and hats for those who have lost their homes
--donating gently used clothing and tools
--contributing a small financial amount, even as little as £1 (one pound) a week online
It may not feel like very much, Patsy, but small steps can lead to very big outcomes. And if you lead your neighbors, friends, and family to follow in your footsteps, just imagine your impact. Don’t despair; declare your intention, inspire action, and share your bright light.
Jill
I know I shouldn’t care about this stuff, but some boy at school was making fun of my curly hair. My whole family has curly hair. I can’t do anything about it – and besides, I don’t really want to change it. But my feelings are hurt. Stupid boys. What’s a good comeback? Cursing Curly, Houston, Texas
Dear Cursing Curly,
It sounds like you already feel pretty good about yourself, and it’s unfortunate that outside sources and other people can make us doubt ourselves sometimes. You don’t have to let those mean words stick to you though. Here at Change My World Now, we would remind you that you are beautiful, and safe, on the inside and out – that you’re allowed to be comfortable in yourself, no matter what anybody else says. Cursing Curly, be Courageous Curly! Don’t give those words power when they aren’t really, deeply meaningful to you. You like that you and your family look alike- and your family likes it too. So, who is more important? Your family or that boy? (And by the way, not all boys are stupid. They just make mistakes sometimes, too!) So hang in there, and try not to let those warring words make their way into your heart. And if you need a little extra encouragement check back often at Change My World Now. We’re always here for you!
Good hair days ahead,
Jill
PS- I love curly hair!
Cassandra’s Angel is about the negative stories that Cassandra – and all of us – are told our entire lives. It’s about who people think we are. Luckily, Cassandra discovers that she is not alone. Come follow Cassandra on a journey that just might change your life.
