VISIONS: The World of Youth Volunteerism | by Janina Vela

Summary

Janine Avella emphasizes the importance of Gen Z's active involvement beyond social media in creating tangible change. She advocates for on-the-ground activism over keyboard activism and shares her passion for mental wellness. Janine discusses the role of youth in publications and multi-arts platforms, urging them to leverage their creativity for social causes. She introduces the Pusa Foundation, a nonprofit promoting service to others, and encourages finding a cause to love and volunteer for, highlighting the impact of even small contributions to society.

Takeaways

• 🌟 **Embracing Youth Activism**: Gen Z is described as sensitive and ambitious, with a clear stance against ignorance and complacency.
• 📱 **Beyond Social Media Activism**: While acknowledging the value of social media for raising awareness, the speaker emphasizes the need for tangible actions beyond online platforms.
• 🤝 **The Importance of On-Ground Activism**: Volunteerism should transition from mere awareness to actual involvement in community service and activism.
• 💪 **Starting with Personal Passion**: The speaker suggests starting volunteer work with causes that are close to one's heart, using their own experience with mental health as an example.
• 🌱 **Mental Health Advocacy**: There's a strong focus on mental wellness, which is seen as an area that has been historically neglected but is now gaining attention.
• 🎨 **Multi-Arts Platform for Youth**: The speaker mentions the development of a platform where young people can express their experiences with mental health through various art forms.
• 🤝 **Collaboration with Established Organizations**: There's an encouragement to partner with existing organizations that are focused on ground work and research.
• 🌐 **Utilizing Modern Technology for Good**: The script highlights the advantage of living in a world where information is readily available and can be used to educate and inform about social issues.
• 💖 **The Pusa Foundation**: Introduced as a nonprofit organization focused on providing hope and service to others, emphasizing the importance of purposeful and unconditional service.
• 🌈 **Creating Lasting Change**: The speaker calls on Gen Z to take ownership of their potential and create lasting change, moving away from the fast-paced, disposable culture.

Q & A

What does the speaker believe about Gen Z's potential?

The speaker believes that Gen Z has the potential to be sensitive and go-getters, and can be the generation that says no to ignorance and complacency.

What is the speaker's stance on using social media for activism?

The speaker supports using social media to raise awareness about issues like climate change, equal rights, and mental wellness, but emphasizes that it should not stop at online activism and should extend to tangible actions.

What does the speaker suggest as a shift in volunteerism?

The speaker suggests a shift from keyboard activism to on-the-ground activism, emphasizing the importance of taking tangible actions beyond social media posts.

Why does the speaker feel passionate about mental wellness?

The speaker is passionate about mental wellness because they have personally experienced anxiety and depression and believe in raising awareness about mental health care.

What is the role of 'look well pH' in the speaker's vision for youth activism?

'Look well pH' is described as a youth-led publication that focuses on mental health and is branching out into other activities, including calls for submissions and events like open mikes and art fairs.

What does the speaker think about the role of older generations in activism?

The speaker believes that combining the experience of older generations with the idealism of youth can accelerate the progress of advocacies and reach more people.

What is the mission of the Pusa Foundation as described in the script?

The mission of the Pusa Foundation is to provide hope with a purpose in any way possible, including creative funding and support for basic necessities of life.

How did the Pusa Foundation start, according to the speaker?

The Pusa Foundation started with the speaker and a friend, Robert Bennett, along with their friend groups, using their voice and creativity to promote a bigger message.

What advice does the speaker give to those interested in volunteerism?

The speaker advises finding what interests and is loved, as it will make volunteerism feel less like work and more like a passion.

What is the speaker's final call to action for the youth?

The speaker calls on the youth to own their space, create lasting change, and recognize their limitless potential to make a difference in the world.