Youth Action in Response to Oklahoma Tragedy

From: Concetta Anne Bencivenga
Executive Director
generationOn

 

Dear Parents and Grown Ups:

 

About a week ago, generationOn honored six amazing young people as 2013 Hasbro Community Action Heroes. They have dedicated themselves to issues as broad as pediatric cancer, military deployment, food insecurity and potable water. These young people reminded me of the amazing capacity youth have to make a difference in the world and what is possible when given inspiration and the resources to take action.

 

Today as our thoughts are with the people of Oklahoma and as we simultaneously watch stories of devastation and of heroism, we are once again faced with the challenge of trying to guide the young people in our lives through trying to comprehend the scope of this tragedy and providing them with the tools to feel empowered to help themselves and others.

Points of Light and generationOn are already in touch with partner organizations operating in Oklahoma, and as specific needs become available, we will pass them along.

 

For now, we invite you to use this time to broach the topic of emergency preparedness with the youth in your life, specifically focusing on how young people can be the catalysts for their family and communities in getting ready for difficult situations. 

 

Here are some project ideas:

• Black Out Boxes 
• First Aid Kits  
• Shelter Readiness 
• Pets and Disaster Safety 
• Seniors and Disaster Safety  

On our website you will find many more projects and resources.

   

Additional resources on emergency preparedness and helping young people cope with disaster can be found here:

• FEMA's Emergency Preparedness Activities for Kids 
• Sesame Workshop's Let's Get Ready! Planning Together for Emergencies

It is my great hope that the remaining months of 2013 will afford us the chance to provide service opportunities in response to the most basic community challenges. In the meantime, faced with the extraordinary challenges being felt by the people of Oklahoma, and on behalf of everyone at generationOn, we hope that these resources will provide young people with a way to respond and to process these events by serving.