We believe that kids have the imagination, drive, and ability to come up with innovative ways to change our world for the better. That’s why we dedicate part of what we do to inspiring kids to be social entrepreneurs. To us, social entrepreneurism means
creating a venture or business that can help solve social problems or benefit society. And kids of all ages have what it takes to lead the charge. Here are just a few ideas for ways your kids can start an enterprise that can make a difference. For more ideas, click on Social Enterpreneurz.
Create things to sell and donate your funds:
- Braid, macramé, or bead bracelets
- Tap into the duct tape “rage” to make wallets, purses and more (See YouTube how-to here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMGaYWlz658)
- Laminate your favorite collectible cards (such as baseball, Pokémon, etc.) and turn them into bookmarks
- Turn old clothing or hats into new items by decorating or redesigning them
- Write and illustrate coloring books
Provide a special service or organize an event to earn money to donate:
- Host a car wash
- Organize a dog wash or walking service
- Rake leaves, weed or water gardens, or plant flowers
- Arrange a garage sale with your family and/or neighbors
- Sell tickets for a neighborhood concert
While these entrepreneurial ideas can raise funds to donate to a special cause, remember that the amount of money generated is not necessarily the most important outcome! In fact, modest amounts of money can do great things such as buy needed supplies for schools , plant a tree to help save the rainforests , or provide baby chicks to a family in a developing country so they can sell the eggs. And even more important, your kids’ efforts will go a long way to teach them how their actions can make positive changes in our world – one social entrepreneurial venture at a time!
© YesKidzCan!, 2011
Set in Venice in the 1890s, The Famous Nini, by Mary Nethery and illustrated by John Manders, is a “mostly” true story about a café owner who takes in a stray cat, and names him Nini. At first, it seems as though Nini lacks any special qualities until a string of visitors produces wonderful, and for some, even miraculous events that Nini is “responsible” for making happen. Among the many miracles, composer Verdi visits and hears Nini meow, and he finds just the right note for his opera. Nini becomes famous, and even the king and queen of Italy and the Pope himself visit the café to see the extraordinary cat.
