Youth and Families

Points of Light recognizes that a passion for volunteerism can be cultivated from a young age. Through our youth division, generationOn, we encourage kids and teens to learn the value of service and volunteerism by giving them tools and resources to make their mark on their communities and the world.

generationOn meets youth and families where they are by creating DIY service projects that are simple to execute and have a big impact, while also teaching children that they have the power to make a difference. We also work with schools and nonprofits to equip them to engage youth and families in volunteering to benefit the community and each other.

The Year of Civic Learning kicks off at the closing of the 2021 Youth Summit and culminates at the 2022 Youth Summit.

We’re emerging from tough times. The desire to contribute has never been stronger and the benefits – support for our communities and a sense of pride and wellbeing for the giver – have never been more meaningful. We’re offering a “Year of Civic Learning” – a youth-focused, online experience for young people ages 13 and up for ideating, researching and developing a plan to positively impact their communities. At the end of the Year of Civic Learning, you will have the opportunity to pitch your community impact ideas at the 2022 Points of Light Conference! The first meeting will occur in September 2021.

The year-long learning pathway will include:

• Understanding your community through community mapping
• Understanding how you can positively impact your community
• Taking a deeper dive into the Points of Light Civic Circle as a way to positively impact your community
• Designing a community plan, including work continuing beyond the planning and implementation phases
• Presenting and pitching your project for community, government and funder support