How to Make a Positive Impact on Children in Need

Emotional and Mental Support for Kids in Need

Sometimes something as simple as kind words or gestures can go a long way. You can start to make a positive impact in your community by giving emotional support to those who need it or to those who are helping to make a difference. Acts of kindness, big and small, have the ability to change the world, one community at a time. For many people across the country, now is the perfect time to do good and build unity in your area.

• Volunteer at a Local School or Non-Profit Group: A majority of low-income families rely on two incomes to support their household. This may mean that parents don’t have as much time to spend with kids after school or in the classroom. As well, public school funding is continuously at risk of being cut. Non-profits also struggle to keep programs operating and are always looking for ways to fundraise. By volunteering your time and participating in local non-profit events, you help contribute to providing better learning opportunities for children as well as building resource options in your community for those in need.

• Become a Mentor, Coach, or Big Brother/Sister: Becoming a positive role model is a life-changing experience for many, but for kids from disadvantaged circumstances, it is detrimental to their mental and emotional well-being. As a mentor, you can guide children to learn more about themselves and discover their own unique talents. Being a big brother or sister is one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling things a person can do! You help shape children’s futures for the better by empowering them to reach and achieve life goals. Being a mentor and coach allows you to work with kids and connect them with others in the community. By giving kids in need a fair shot at overcoming disadvantages, you see positive change in local areas and neighborhoods. Good education opportunities, new business prospects, and general happiness can spread quickly in these more impoverished communities.

• Help Organize Field Trip Events: A great way to help kids learn and grow is by getting them out into the community with educational opportunities. Try contacting some local attractions like zoos or museums to find out about field trips for kids in need. Or look for an aquarium such as SeaQuest in your area! SeaQuest offers unique, educational Field Trip experiences for kids of all ages! During this interactive tour, your group will journey through five different continents, and explore exhibits designed to give kids an increased understanding of our planet’s oceans, marine life, and complex ecosystems. They’ll learn about climate change, conservation, and how they can help endangered animals.  

Financial Support for Kids in Need

Financial hardship can negatively affect families in low-income or impoverished areas of cities and towns across the globe. Many people face unequal opportunities due to racial discrimination. And some families with children who have a disability or illness have less access to good healthcare. It’s important to recognize some may not be as lucky as others, so we should all do our part to help those in need as best as we can. There are ways that seem small but can make a big difference when it comes to helping kids living in less than desirable circumstances.

• Sponsor Children in Need: Monetary donations make a huge impact and can go really far to help non-profit organizations care for kids and families in need. There are also groups you can join and donate a monthly payment to support or sponsor a child in poverty. Financial donations provide individuals more chances to receive access to life-changing benefits such as medical care, educational support and life-skills training.

• Donate New or Used Items: Almost all service organizations such as shelters and churches operate on tight budgets and rely on contributions from the community. Gently used or new items in good condition such as children’s clothing of all sizes are always welcome. Warm bedding, blankets, and towels are also highly desired. You can also donate much-needed toiletry items such as toothpaste, shampoo, soap, and feminine products.  Some people assemble kid-friendly packages of travel-size toiletries in a nice personal items bag.

• Support Youth Sports Programs: Many children simply cannot afford or have been priced out of playing youth sports. But the positive impact experienced through sports participation has life-long results for a lot of kids. They get social connections, mental and emotional support, and physical development. Income-restricted families find it difficult to get their kids involved in youth sports. But you can help by pledging to pay the registration fees required for youth sports participation. Any donation goes directly towards a kid’s registration fees and helps purchase needed uniforms and equipment for each sport they play.

Through meaningful experiences that engage kids in a participatory environment or help secure them financially, children in need have more opportunities to build their self-confidence and critical thinking skills. This self-confidence is learned by these interactions with mentors, coaches, and teachers who want to provide a positive and happy environment for all. No matter how you approach it, making kids a priority as you give back can make a difference not only in the short term but potentially for a lifetime. You can build on your own confidence just by knowing your gifts of emotional and financial support have made a positive impact on a child’s life.