Youth Venture

“One day, you’ll be the one in charge. Someday, you’ll be the leader.” As a kid you heard it time and time again, from parents, teachers, your merciless 8th grade field hockey coach demanding you pick up the pace as you push through those grueling agility exercises (I digress).

A seemingly insurmountable spread of years at the time, that “someday” has arrived for Generations X (1961 – 1981) and, most recently, Y. Undaunted by their status as the newest and youngest members to the coffee fueled world of the 9 to 5, these generations have stormed the workplace toting ample degrees from renowned academic institutes, a plethora of volunteer experiences from Massachusetts to Mumbai, and ambitions through the roof. While they continue to clamber up the corporate ladder at admirable speeds, what does this mean for the previously baby boomer dominated world of philanthropy?

Article after focus group after study has repeatedly reported that the “philanthropic landscape” (if you will) is changing right along with these office demographics and with it, the nature of charitable giving as a whole. A generation of skeptics laden with college loans, the size of the check is becoming less important than where exactly that check will go, and how much can actually be accomplished by the organization handling it. It’s all about getting more bang for your buck; think impact, think quantifiable results.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Combined Jewish Philanthropies and other well known, highly respected non-profit organizations throughout the area boast impressive committees of the smartest, best bred and well-connected young professionals this city has to offer. They continue to grow, tapping into existing affluent social circles, providing unique educational experiences, and offering hip, exclusive networking opportunities. United Way is no different. From investment gurus to lawyers and venture capitalists, United Way’s Young Leaders are driven and successful, and want to give back not only financially but also capitalize upon their multitude of skills, knowledge and experience. And, they want results (really, who doesn’t?).

Enter, youth entrepreneurship program Youth Venture: a means to show youth (ages 12 through 18) that, independent of any social construction (race, gender, socioeconomic status, and the like), they have the ability to positively impact the community in which they reside as they prepare for their own “someday”.

The recipe is simple; present the opportunity, provide the access to resources, and give just a dash of guidance, and kids will do great things. Thus far, it’s proven true. United Ways in the vicinity have established thriving Youth Venture programs, pairing up with their local schools. The products of these young people’s creative license include bio-diesel run buses, sports centered benefits to raise money for textbooks, and educational engagement programs for hospital patients, to name a few. Kicking off this January, 2007, our Young Leaders have adopted and set into motion their very own Youth Venture plan in cooperation with a few of our affiliate after-school agencies (the South Boston Neighborhood House, Sociedad Latina and Centro Presente).

From soup to nuts, they’re in it up to their elbows and well aware that their value lies not only in their bank account, but in their enthusiasm for the kids’ uninhibited imagination, their willingness to dive in head first, organize and even attend early Saturday morning training sessions (yikes, by no means an easy task). Still in its early stages, the groups of kids are diligently creating business plans on how to execute their venture ideas, and we’re waiting with baited breath to see what these change-makers, kids and Young Leaders alike, will do.