Children Are Undiscovered Community Assets

The Giving Square partners with schools and organizations to develop children’s philanthropic skills, identities, and tools. The Giving Square’s flagship program, the Kids for Kids Fund, engages third to fifth graders in an experiential philanthropic journey focused on empathy, humility, and impact.

“People always tell us young people will save the world, but there is simply not enough time to wait,” warns Greta Thunberg. There is indeed a strong sentiment that “children are the future.” People write songs about it, print bumper stickers, and use the phrase in speeches. Yet, though they say the words, most do not act as if they believe them to be true. If they did, they would value children as the ultimate community owners.

The contributors to this issue of the eJournal of Public Affairs are all exploring the concept of “community ownership,” of people taking collective responsibility for improving others’ lives. This article considers why kids should be treated as community owners, how adults get in the way, and how we can all nurture children to be agents of change—now, just as Greta urges us to do.