Adobe foundation, with the help from “The Black Eyed Peas” and their Peapod Foundation have launched a total of five academies to date that focus on multimedia tools to help youth make a difference!
By providing breakthrough learning experiences for young people, adobe youth voices philosophy is to: “capitalizes on young people’s innate optimism and sense of justice, helping encourage youth to be creative, articulate contributors to their communities.”
You can also download lesson plans for your classroom!
So, what do you say… go get empowered. And tell us what inspires you in the comments below!
After perusing many articles on youth utilizing social media for social good. I came across an organization that I am super excited about, a HOW TO, for social good called Youth Venture!
So if you have an idea, want to get a team together and get funding for it… check this out!
For the most part, organizations have relied on the belief that dramatic call-to-action through donation and sponsorships is the most effective way to get support and followers. However, social media for social change is not just about the next big venture or dollar amount, sometimes simply creating an idea or dialogue can mean just as much to a community in need as the community sponsorships.
And by community, I don’t just mean our neighbor next door, I mean our social networking community. Jamie Henn, communications director for the environmental activist group 350.org, in Oakland, Calif. says: “Social media provides a place where people can share the work they are doing in the real world and gain a sense of momentum and community by seeing similar stories from around the planet.”
Don’t broadcast. Too many traditional organizations blast their message or demands for action rather than building conversations first
I mean, you wouldn’t go on a first date and demand information regarding income without first building a comfortable foundation on which to ask such questions.
Think visually. Most nonprofits still send out e-mail blasts or reports that are mostly text, says Mr. Henn. “By using images and video, we have been able to convey stories with emotional impact in a very different way,” he says.
The stories that video & pictures can create, without saying anything, has long been known. Seeing is believing.
Be selective. Don’t bombard supporters with posts (once daily is probably sufficient, say experts). Get help providing content: from dialogue you create with followers
More importantly… stick to your demographic/audience. People are looking to you for a specific source of information on your charities topic, not which restaurant your eating at or you checked in for lunch!.
Measure everything, but have a goal from the start. Many nonprofit organizations need to get better at measuring effectiveness. Many charities have rushed into social media without having a strategy, but they need one, she says: “The weaknesses are at the beginning and the end.”
Thinking about this first blog entry, I was posed with the conundrum: What kind of useful information would I want if I were a young, smart, witty, do-gooder with go-getter drive? Then like most things come to me…in an epiphany of a “DUH?!” moment, I realized…I am all of those things, and that’s why I begin here, with this first blog…. Helping you see how smart, easy, and lucrative taking action can be!
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With youth, 18 – 24, utilizing social networks to enhance their social life, learning, & fun it’s no wonder more and more of them are initiating successful organizations and businesses along those same platforms.
That same article focuses on the top 5 reasons youth should embrace the trend, and I’ve summarized it below:
1. Employment is Scarce
Because of the weak economy, Generation Y is finding that the best way to find the career of your dreams is to create it yourself.
2. The Trend is Growing
Sarah Prevette, (under 30 CEO) founder of entrepreneur networking site Sprouter says the start-up trend became successful due to recent start-up founders like Mark Zuckerburg.
3. Entry is Easier
With the technology and tools available to us online, and the inexpensive ways to use social media for marketing and networking, getting your ideas/businesses off the ground is easier than ever.
4. Inexperience is Good
Youth has an advantage in today’s technological world, growing up in the new age of social media they can navigate the business landscape & network much easier than people have done in the past.
5. Risk is Relative
Being young means you have less to lose and more to gain. It may be nerve racking to invest in an idea with no capital, but it can also me more rewarding when you finally see the return of your own idea.
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