This year, especially during the holiday season, connections with others are more meaningful than ever before. At Riley's Way, we are finding new and innovative ways to connect safely and purposefully with our community.
Read below to see how our teens connect virtually through the Riley's Way programs and continue to make a positive and lasting impact on each other and with their communities.
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Virtual Youth Leadership Retreat
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Almost 100 young women from across the country registered for our first Virtual Youth Leadership Retreat on October 17th & 24th, 2020. Although we were not able to be together in person, the teens were still able to make lasting connections and learn with, and from, each other through panels, small group activities, teen-led workshops, and networking events. Bringing that many young change-makers together in a virtual space was nothing short of inspiring. They are the next generation of kind leaders who are going to change the world!
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"This Retreat was exactly what I needed to break away from the stressful world of school. I was amazed by how creative and kind the minds of people in this Retreat were. Even if we didn’t know each other, we chose to spread empathy and kindness in projects, advice, or just anything relatable. I have never felt more happy and fulfilled." -- 2020 Retreat Participant
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Read more about the Youth Leadership Retreat through the experience of some participants:
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Using Your Voice: Activism in Action panel
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The Riley's Way Councils have been meeting virtually since September. Teen leaders from each Council are stepping up to lead ice breakers, and they are diving into deeper work with discussions about privilege, race, and social justice. We are having weekly, all-Council check-ins that include self-care: Raq led mindfulness and meditation, Ian led us in restorative yoga, and Arianna (the co-chair of The Young Women's Leadership School of East Harlem) led a poetry/spoken word night.
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"As a Council member, I have learned that my dreams and hopes for a better world will become a reality, and that is because I am surrounded by a powerful group of teens who make kindness and empathy the motto of our world." -- Tiara, The Young Women's Leadership School of Astoria
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We have over 80 teens signed up to participate in our Buddy Reading program. Partnering with the Sisulu-Walker Charter School of Harlem, these Buddy Readers will be paired with a Kindergartener, first, or second grader to read, draw, and learn together on Zoom.
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Since September, the 2020 Call for Kindness Fellows have been participating in the virtual Fellowship program, learning leadership skills, networking with each other, and sharing their projects.
Click here to read some of the blogs from the 2020 Call for Kindness Fellows and learn more about their work and how they are adjusting during COVID-19.
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Save the Date!
Applications open for the Call for Kindness 2021 on January 25th, 2021! Visit our website to stay up to date, share with your friends, and learn how to apply.
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On Monday, November 23rd, we partnered with Giving Tuesday Spark to share information, advice, and inspiration on how youth can join the Giving Tuesday movement. Watch the video below to learn more.
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Remember, Giving Tuesday is Tuesday, December 1st!
What can you do to spread kindness?
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