ten ways you can make a difference

Sometimes the only thing more overwhelming than the news is thinking you can’t do anything about it. When it comes to making a difference, one of the first things that comes to mind for people over the age of 18 is: vote.

But besides voting, there are many ways you can stand up for what you believe in – starting NOW. Here are 10 ways to get involved and take action:

1. Visit our Take Action page and participate in an online campaign.
2. Call or email your local elected officials about issues important to you. If you’re not sure who your representatives are, you can look them up here!
3. Encourage other people to contact their elected representatives. Share news on social media, forward online actions, and have conversations in person to let your friends know what topics that matter to you.
4. Stay informed! Knowing the facts and being confident in your positions will keep you motivated and help you start conversations with others around you. Follow your favorite news sources on social media, download news apps on your phone, or subscribe to newsletters of your favorite organizations to stay on top of the endless news cycle.
5. Add your name to a petition.
6. Volunteer to help with voting in your neighborhood. Election season is coming up, and this is a great way to get involved in the voting process! You can contact your local county office, or even go onlineand sign up to be a volunteer.
7. Attend a local march or a rally.
8. Get involved on campus. Find out if your school has a club or group that’s already working on causes you care about. If your school doesn’t have one, start your own!
9. Volunteer or intern for a local organization. Chances are, someone in your community is already out there doing good work. Volunteering or interning for local non-profits can be a great way to get a close-up look at what’s happening around you and build relationships with like-minded people. You can look up local volunteer opportunities here!
10. Be an early bird and pre-register to vote when you turn 16. That way you’ll be ready to vote after your 18th birthday.

It doesn’t matter how old we are. Our voices matter – especially when the decisions our government makes affects us all, including teens.

Do you have more ideas on how to be an activist? Tweet us at @teensource

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This blog was reposted from TeenSource.org, a project of Essential Access Health. TeenSource.org is an online hub for comprehensive and teen-friendly information on birth control, STDs, relationships and teen’s rights to accessing sensitive services. The site features youth-developed blogs and videos, a clinic finder, a Condom Access Project and links to TeenSource social media where youth can stay updated on relevant sexual and reproductive health information and news.

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