Social Activism: Getting Children Involved

From the Thursday, October 18, 2007, special Making a Difference>Me to We section of the Toronto Star, is an article about a child becoming involved in activism in her society:

Sowing the seeds of social activism

Bob Benvie
Me to We Volunteer

Catherine McCauley has seen how the smallest of acts can make a profound difference in the way a young person sees the world.

Not long ago, her family heard that city politicians had made a deal with a developer to renovate an old dance hall on the waterfront, where 6-year-old daughter Renee and husband David love to ride their bikes. To accommodate a parking lot next to the dance hall, several large, old willow trees would be chopped down. On one of their rides, Renee asked her father about a group of citizens who had set up tables and a petition at the site. David said politicians intended to cut down the trees and that people unhappy with this prospect were letting them know.

Renee insisted they show support, so David signed the petition. The city eventually backed down.

Catherine says Renee still talks with pride about how she helped save what she affectionately calls "our trees."

Seeing the effect of their actions inspires kids to social action. Research also shows socially active youth have better grades, higher academic aspirations and make informed choices about substance abuse.