“Don’t ever forget that you’re a citizen of this world, and there are things you can do to lift the human spirit, things that are easy, things that are free, things that you can do every day. Civility, respect, kindness, character.” – Aaron Sorkin
“How wonderful is it that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” – Anne Frank
Teacher in Residence 2021
Each year, Learning to Give works with a Summer Teacher in Residence! For ten weeks in the summer, one Detroit-area teacher helps develop resources, make connections with educators and community nonprofits, and guide the direction of philanthropy education.
This summer, Torie Anderson brings her experience to the Learning to Give Community. Torie is a native Detroiter, educator, and activist. She is a self-proclaimed "Trill-Teacher" who aims to disrupt the school to prison pipeline and dismantle systematic racism in education within her lifetime. She is the author of Revolutionary Girls, a picture book that encourages young girls and women to speak out about social issues. Stay tuned for new Learning to Give resources to equip and empower youth as changemakers.
Summer Service Projects
Your community has many treasures to investigate this summer, from lakes and trails to museums and events. Getting to know and love our communities helps us find and recognize ways to contribute. These Simple Safe Service guides spark ideas for meaningful action. Search for projects by themes: Environment Creative Arts Civic Action Communicating Care Helping Neighbors
Every child has a right to be safe and supported at school and in their community. Race, faith, gender, socio-economic status, and who we love must never be a factor in how well we treat any child or person. This article uses the framework of service-learning - investigate, plan, take action, reflect, and demonstrate - to advocate for culturally responsive language and a gender inclusive climate.
Do you know it is a joy to be read to at any age? Books provide a means to have warm conversation and grow in understanding about people and topics. Set out a blanket at a park and read to a neighbor or visit a preschool and read aloud and talk about books. Reading with someone younger or older is an opportunity for developing relationships, generous listening, and respect across generations or grade levels.
Finding that each person sees their world a little differently is the basis for this book by Micha Archer. Daniel asks his neighbors, “What makes a good day to you?” He is able to see and hear many diverse viewpoints and grows to understand that everyone has their own idea of what makes a good day.
Humphrey is a humpback whale who swims upstream and gets stuck in a freshwater river. You’ll feel the tension as Humphrey gets farther upstream, and you’ll cheer right along with his rescuers. This is not just a story about a whale, there is a more subtle message about communities working together for the common good. This is a true story from San Francisco by Wendy Tokuda and Richard Hall.
In this activity, a small group uses critical thinking to discuss an issue they care about. They pick a community issue, explore the root causes and effects, and research who the local experts are. This is a great way to get to know your community, use creative expression, and come up with different approaches to the next best steps in taking action through service.
Read about this Michigan middle school collaborative effort to remove invasive species, create health and beauty in the forest, and share the issue with their community.
Middle schoolers collaborate to learn about the human impact on the environment. The woods on the school grounds are overrun with invasive Oriental Bittersweet vines, which are quickly deteriorating the health of the forest.
Through this project, students are bringing awareness to the issue of invasive species through weavings along the woodland trails. View the Weaving in the Woods project through the eyes of one of the student groups.
