Description

Anyone who has kids or loves kids pretty much wants the same things for them: kids who feel safe and loved, and who become caring, compassionate, confident human beings. What’s the best way to encourage this kind of development? Most of us spend a lot of time on our kids’ academics, sports, music, and the like. But how do we teach them the values that matter most? In our own home, my husband and I try to make this happen in the usual ways with our four kids. We read books. We tell them stories from our different faith traditions. We praise kind actions. We talk a lot about what we think is important. And those things are great! But nothing compares to putting our beliefs into action together. Unfortunately, most volunteer opportunities are hard to find, even harder to schedule, and rarely are they inclusive of kids (let alone designed for them). And if our family's experiences are any indication, even when the stars align and we manage to get out of the house to volunteer together, a lot can still go wrong. New environments, tough questions about tough issues, different personalities and ages and abilities all bouncing off of each other while actually trying to do something productive... It's a lot to juggle. Our team created Alltruists to give kids (and grown-ups!) a way to give back anytime, anywhere. So even when you’re staying in, you can still reach out. Each experience is themed around one big issue in the world and guides kids to engage with that issue in positive, meaningful ways. My own journey of giving back began as a kid, and that's something I'll always be grateful for. Volunteering changed my heart, and set me on a path centered around service. Among other things, that path eventually led me to start Kiva, a nonprofit which has empowered millions of people around the planet. Every person, big or small, can help make our world better. And everyone can start today!