When looking for a community issue that you want to fix, it is important to select one that you care about. When you care about a problem, you are more likely to come up with creative solutions and ask other to help you!
- Think about what your interests are. Make a list of them. Your list may include your hobbies, activities that you are involved in, or what you like to do in your spare time.
- Next, take your list and think about what skills you have developed as a result of these hobbies and activities. Make a second list of your skills. Are you good at talking to people or teaching other people? Can you read aloud well? Do you like to draw or be creative? List any and all skills you can think of.
- Now, think about what you are passionate about. Make a list of the top three issues that are a problems in your community and in your state that you are interested in learning about and working on.
- If you are struggling to think of issues that are of interest to you, take a look at the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals for inspiration. Are any of these issues a problem in your community?
- Review all three lists to look for connections between your interests, your skills, and community issues that you care about. Now brainstorm: Which issues do you care about most? How can your skills and interest help you in solving this problem in your community and in your state?
Watch this video from Library/Media Specialist Christina O’Neil on how to research a community issue.
Inspiration from Kid Governors & their Cabinets
2020 New Hampshire’s Kid Governor Suzy Brand is passionate about spending time outdoors. During her term in office, she took her passion and used it to make a difference in her state by speaking to legislators at the New Hampshire state house. She testified in support of developing a committee to study the importance of more time outdoors during the school day as a way to improve the mental and physical health and wellbeing of children in her state. You can read her speech HERE.
Akshara Ashok, a member of the 2020 Oregon’s Kid Governor Cabinet, was passionate about decreasing plastic bag pollution in her community. She developed a three-point plan of action that could be taken by other students in her community. Akshara told her story about being a change maker in her school in this video.
Reilly Bard, a member of the 2019 Connecticut’s Kid Governor Cabinet, was inspired to run for Kid Governor on a platform of Fostering Friendships. Reilly had close relationships with people who had been through the foster care system and was inspired to make a change in her community to support children in foster care. Through her work during her term in the Cabinet and beyond, Reilly has been able to share her passion with people all over Connecticut. She was able to donate hundreds of toys, blankets, gift cards, toiletries and more to children in foster care in Connecticut. Reilly’s worked gained her the attention of Everyday Democracy and was recognized as the youngest civic ambassador in the state!
Next: How do I learn more about a Community Issue?
Click HERE to go back to “What is a Community Issue?”
Click HERE to go back to the Student Action Resource Center.