Experts Say Raising Kids Who Do Good Is As Easy As Getting Involved

On Wednesday, Birmingham Patch kicks off a new feature called Whiz Kid. Whiz Kids are all around the community, and we want to hear about them and honor them for their accomplishments. This article explores ways to help your own child become a Whiz Kid in one way: giving to the community. Do you know a Whiz Kid?

Colin just got a scholarship for his volunteer work. Justin is getting a presidential service award for his community service. Robin wants to skip presents at her birthday party and just have the guests bring money for a cause.

Are those your kids? On the other end of the spectrum, one area mom says she can’t get her son to initiate any volunteer work unless it’s with friends and only if required. One dad said his son told him joining clubs is for geeks. For many children, the favorite day of the year is their birthday because of “all those gifts.” 

Wherever your child is on the “sense-of-purpose” scale, raising empathetic and motivated children requires a lot of parental guidance, say area counselors, teachers and community activists. 

Although it may seem tougher than asking your child to give up television and Facebook, turning out dedicated community supporters is one of the most worthwhile things parents can do for their children. It’s challenging but doable, experts say, and will help you create responsible kids and good character.

Young Givers

“To get your kids involved in community projects, start at a young age,” said Carol Mastroianni, executive director of the Birmingham Bloomfield Community Coalition, which is based in the  in Bloomfield Hills. “Find things your kids are interested in,” Mastroianni added, “things you can do together as a family.”

Mastroianni cites simple projects such as a neighborhood cleanup or helping at a community or school garden as a few easy ways to get involved. 

“If your child is shy, bring them to a food bank and let them sort cans,”  she said. And keep in mind community theater groups. “I used to take my children to  (the Baldwin Theatre) in Royal Oak when they were very young and they’d help quite a bit.”  

For the very young, talk to them about how they can help the less fortunate, said Sara Chase, a clinical psychologist at Rochester Hills-based Abaris Behavioral Health. Chase works with children and adolescents and often suggests that her clients get involved in community activities. 

“Consider smaller tasks,” Chase said, “like cleaning their rooms and donating things they don’t need.” 

Peers and Pals

Friendship was the lure for Kaitlyn Krizanic, who became involved with the Birmingham Bloomfield Community Coalition nearly four years ago. 

“One of my friends was going to a Community Coalition meeting and I had nothing better to do so went along with her,” Krizanic recalled. “I met so many nice people and from there just started to get more involved. It definitely helps to have a friend when you start with these programs.”

Krizanic is now a member of the coalition’s Youth Action Board (YAB). This past December, the 17-year-old student planned a YAB gift-wrapping fundraiser at Borders in Birmingham. Raising about $300 for coalition programs, Krizanic and her friends spent 12 hours total wrapping shoppers’ gift purchases at Borders. 

“I approached Borders and talked to the managers and they agreed that this would be a good project for them and for us,” said the Birmingham resident. “They liked to see the raised funds go to a good organization doing good things.” Krizanic has stepped up in other ways, too, including speaking at meetings and working at a wellness fair.  

The Birmingham Bloomfield Coalition’s YAB is made up of students who help create a campaign and messaging effort to prevent substance abuse among their peers. 

“The kids go out to the community and make presentations,” director Mastroianni explained. YAB also works with the Birmingham on such projects as summer movie nights at and battle of the bands at .

What’s Your Passion?

Stuck on what cause to get involved with?

“Parents should help their kids find a cause,” said Cornelia Pokrzywa, a mother of three daughters. “Think about the causes you support and let your child know why you take your own time and money to give to this cause.”

Pokrzywa suggests finding causes that your kids are interested in. “We are music lovers —  my daughters are all budding musicians,” she said. Therefore, her family likes to support musical causes. 

Mastroianni’s 12-year-old daughter, who attends in Birmingham, loves to read, so the was the perfect spot for volunteering for her. 

“She loves books, kids, the library, so she’s enjoyed volunteer experiences there,” said Mastroianni.

Oftentimes, kids want to help other kids who are their same age. The Kids Helping Kids One Step at a Time Walk event, co-chaired by Connie Beckett of Troy and Kelly Shuert of Bloomfield Hills, is a perfect way to get kids involved. 

Hosted by The Children's Charities Coalition  (comprised of  four nonprofit organizations based in Oakland County: CARE House, The Community House, Orchards  Children’s Services and Variety The Children’s Charity), the event requests that  each walker raise at least $75, which benefits kids of the coalition. 

“We have found that the kids who participate in the walk are members of their school band, swim team, choral group, etc.,” said Gigi Nichols, communications director for The Community House. 

“They love volunteering with their friends, and peer  recruitment works well.” The walk is May 1 (registration begins at 9 a.m. and starts and ends in Birmingham’s Shain Park.  “With schools and families working hard to instill positive character traits in children, this is a perfect way to teach children the importance of giving back to the community,  Nichols said of the walk, now in its fourth year.
  
Churches also offer great ways to get involved with the community. 

“Many youth today have a passion and a desire to make a difference in the world,” said The Rev. John Harnish of the in Birmingham. “They see the news, they know what’s going on and they want to have an impact,” he added. “If we can offer them opportunities that touch their hearts, they will respond.”

Harnish has seen a wonderfully positive response with programs such as the church’s youth “Penny Project,” raising 20 million pennies for the 20 million people who have AIDS in Africa. “If you connect with kids’ passions, they will respond eagerly.”

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