On Oct. 22nd, I had the opportunity to attend the 7th annual WE Day at Roger’s Arena in Vancouver with 20,000 in attendance from 800 schools across BC, including DCSS. All present earned their tickets through local and global service with their Me to We groups; collectively taking action for social change to better our global community. And WE Day is key to this youth movement. An annual series of stadium-sized events, WE Day Vancouver brought together world-renowned speakers and performers—from Selena Gomez, Orlando Bloom and Silken Laumann to Jennifer Lopez—with tones of celebrating to kick-start a year of action and empowerment.
WE Day is “connected to the year-long We Act program, which offers educational resources and campaigns to help young people turn the day’s inspiration into sustained action. Both are cause inclusive, empowering young people to find their passion and create the change they want to see. By taking action on one local and one global cause, students are equipped with the tools to succeed academically, in the workplace and as active citizens. Both share the same goal: to empower a generation to shift the world from “me” to “we”—from a focus on the individual to the power of community.” Since 2007, youth involved in We Act have raised $45 million and volunteered almost 15 million hours for more than 1,000 local and global causes.
So you can imagine the power of We Day and the synergy felt sitting with thousands of enthusiastic youth. And while I soaked it all in, I learned how the actions and passions of caring youth created remarkable differences in the lives of those who are not as fortunate. Not to mention, what we consider little or uneventful things, and how they resulted in having the biggest impacts imaginable. Two Kenyan teenage girls came to say thank-you for changing their lives as they are now getting an education because a school was built for them. And it was done with just $10,000 fundraised by one local Me to We group. Without it, they would have been married by age 14. Talk about making a giant impact!
And how about this… one double AA battery contains enough zinc that can save the lives of six children. For every battery recycled, the company Teck is donating the value of zinc it contains to UNICEF. So DCSS brought two big tubs of batteries from the local Recycle depot. Another campaign kicked off this year in partnership with one of WE Day’s largest sponsors, RBC, is every $50 raised will give a goat to a family overseas, providing food and employment. Yes, doing the little things matter! In turn, being provided access to resources creates empowerment related to everything from bettering oneself to breaking the cycle of poverty. Empowerment opens doors!
So what are my take-aways from WE Day?
· The power of action and contribution is fulfilling.
· Making a difference empowers.
· What defines us is what we leave behind and the lives we impact along the way.
· We need to create strong, supportive communities around us.
· Young people discover it’s cool to care and can make an impact.
How am I empowered to act?
· I will focus on how to empower others to contribute, learn, and teach.
· I will find ways to make a difference for others.
· I will find ways to inspire others to act.
· I will help create a thoughtful, caring and supportive community at Central Campus.
· I will be involved with DCSS’ Leadership classes and Me to We group.
As I said in my first blog of the school year, learning is to Engage, Enrich, and Empower! I certainly have been after spending a fantastic time at WE Day with thousands of dedicated youth from 800 BC schools. The best part was having the opportunity to spend it with our DCSS students. They are a great, dedicated group who will return to share their energy and passion for social change! Can’t wait to see the impact they will have as they embark on their worthy causes. The best part…they’ve inspired me to act too. Now that’s the power of WE!
Diana Lindstrom
Oct. 23rd, 2014
"while on the bus trip home"
http://www.weday.com
http://metowe.com
http://freethechildren.com
We365 - App available on Apple Store
WE Day is “connected to the year-long We Act program, which offers educational resources and campaigns to help young people turn the day’s inspiration into sustained action. Both are cause inclusive, empowering young people to find their passion and create the change they want to see. By taking action on one local and one global cause, students are equipped with the tools to succeed academically, in the workplace and as active citizens. Both share the same goal: to empower a generation to shift the world from “me” to “we”—from a focus on the individual to the power of community.” Since 2007, youth involved in We Act have raised $45 million and volunteered almost 15 million hours for more than 1,000 local and global causes.
So you can imagine the power of We Day and the synergy felt sitting with thousands of enthusiastic youth. And while I soaked it all in, I learned how the actions and passions of caring youth created remarkable differences in the lives of those who are not as fortunate. Not to mention, what we consider little or uneventful things, and how they resulted in having the biggest impacts imaginable. Two Kenyan teenage girls came to say thank-you for changing their lives as they are now getting an education because a school was built for them. And it was done with just $10,000 fundraised by one local Me to We group. Without it, they would have been married by age 14. Talk about making a giant impact!
And how about this… one double AA battery contains enough zinc that can save the lives of six children. For every battery recycled, the company Teck is donating the value of zinc it contains to UNICEF. So DCSS brought two big tubs of batteries from the local Recycle depot. Another campaign kicked off this year in partnership with one of WE Day’s largest sponsors, RBC, is every $50 raised will give a goat to a family overseas, providing food and employment. Yes, doing the little things matter! In turn, being provided access to resources creates empowerment related to everything from bettering oneself to breaking the cycle of poverty. Empowerment opens doors!
So what are my take-aways from WE Day?
· The power of action and contribution is fulfilling.
· Making a difference empowers.
· What defines us is what we leave behind and the lives we impact along the way.
· We need to create strong, supportive communities around us.
· Young people discover it’s cool to care and can make an impact.
How am I empowered to act?
· I will focus on how to empower others to contribute, learn, and teach.
· I will find ways to make a difference for others.
· I will find ways to inspire others to act.
· I will help create a thoughtful, caring and supportive community at Central Campus.
· I will be involved with DCSS’ Leadership classes and Me to We group.
As I said in my first blog of the school year, learning is to Engage, Enrich, and Empower! I certainly have been after spending a fantastic time at WE Day with thousands of dedicated youth from 800 BC schools. The best part was having the opportunity to spend it with our DCSS students. They are a great, dedicated group who will return to share their energy and passion for social change! Can’t wait to see the impact they will have as they embark on their worthy causes. The best part…they’ve inspired me to act too. Now that’s the power of WE!
Diana Lindstrom
Oct. 23rd, 2014
"while on the bus trip home"
http://www.weday.com
http://metowe.com
http://freethechildren.com
We365 - App available on Apple Store