Welcome to GENERATION SERVE!
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Generation SERVE Blog

Hello. We are so happy to have you here! 

What volunteering means to teens!

1/10/2023

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Recently, we talked to local high schoolers about their experiences with volunteering and what they knew about volunteering in the Austin community. For anonymity, we won’t share their names or what high schools they go to, but if you’d like to know, their ages ranged from 15-17. It was very exciting to get to talk to teenagers from the general Austin community, and we hope to talk to more! 

Below are the conversations between the four teenagers and a TAB member who interviewed them. Talking to all of them, I found it super interesting how different all their responses were, and it’s always great to hear new perspectives!

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TAB: Why should we try to help our community?

Interviewee: Community is a family, and in a family, we should always try to help each other. Also in a community, whatever goes around comes around. If I help someone, they’ll help me right back whenever I need it, so that’s why we should always try to help our community.
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TAB: What was one of your favorite times volunteering?

Interviewee: I really loved volunteering. I’ve been volunteering since I was a little kid. I think it’s such a fun way to connect with your community and help it. One time last year, I was volunteering at an art class with little kids, two to four year-olds. I thought they were so cute. At the end, on Friday, because it was a one-week camp, a little kid came up to me, and she was crying and hugging me because she was sad to leave. That was just a really touching experience for me because I was like, I’m actually making an impact on these peoples’ lives
___________________________________________________________________________

TAB: What does community mean to you?

Interviewee: To me, community is a place where people with common interests can come together to spend time with each other, volunteer together, and create big projects together. They kind of just give you a big sense of belonging. You’re talking with all these other people, spending time with all these people that might think similarly to you, and it makes you feel like you have a place you can always go.
___________________________________________________________________________

TAB: What does volunteering mean to you?

Interviewee: Volunteering means to me that it gives you an opportunity to help within your community and give to people that don’t have the best privilege that you have every single day. It also gives you a sense of community within the volunteering process.
___________________________________________________________________________

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One of many

1/9/2023

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In 2022, the monarch butterfly was placed on the endangered species list. As a stop on their migration path, Generation SERVE wanted to make sure families had a way to help these beautiful creatures.

Families who attended our Family Volunteer Day in November made a crowd favorite, seedballs, and took them home. The map on the right illustrates our impact.

​This simple act demonstrates how one of many makes a difference, from Buda to Leander, Lakeway to Manor, and everywhere in between.

We aim to instill this message in all of the youth and families that volunteer through Generation SERVE!

What are some other ways that we can support the Monarch butterflies throughout the year? 

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Heat map created by Generation SERVE volunteer Aryan Sinha, age 14.
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Generation SERVE's Holiday giving guide

11/14/2022

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Generation SERVE is a bridge that introduces families to local nonprofits. Together we can make an even bigger impact on our community. This holiday season find more ways than just our calendar that you can volunteer locally and the reasons that your support is so important. 

If looking at the guide on your desktop, please hover your mouse over the cover and click when you see an arrow. If you need to go back, move the mouse to the left side of the document until you see an arrow in the opposite direction and click backwards. 

Looking to support Generation SERVE this #GivingSeason? Learn about our #GivingTuesday campaign today!
[Original size] 2022 HVGG by Hilary Espinosa
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Family Volunteer Day 2022

11/14/2022

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Family Volunteer Day 2022 was a success thanks to the families, sponsors, and Central Texas nonprofits who helped make the day extra special. This year's event included puppies, worms, a DJ, Generation SERVE's Teen Advisory Board learning about how you will change the world, and over 25 volunteer projects that went to 28 partner nonprofits. Together we made an in-kind and time donation equivalent to $17,780! 

As a community of volunteers, it can be easy to underestimate your impact. It can even feel like you aren't making that big of a difference. YOU ARE!!! Days like Family Volunteer Day demonstrate what we can do when we all do a little. They also show us how an hour and a half can spark hours of conversations and learning. Together we can always do more. 

Thank you for volunteering through Generation SERVE and continuing to spark the love of volunteering with your children. ​

Sign up for your next event today!
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resources to talk about current events

6/1/2022

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Generation SERVE is on a mission to create a generation of empathetic community-minded leaders. Through our volunteer activities we are often the catalyst for families to begin important conversations. But even when we aren’t, we want to be a resource for parents and families to begin their research so that conversations around the dinner table can be meaningful, clear, and informative.

Common Sense Media, Kids Peace, Learning to Give, The National Child Traumatic Stress Network, and Sandy Hook Promise are national programs organized to help parents, teachers, and anyone caring for children understand school violence, among other violent tragedies. All of the resources provided emphasize meeting your child where they are when deciding how to address trauma as a family. 

How to talk to young children:
  • Avoid watching news stories that may scare them 
  • Only bring it up if you suspect the child has an awareness
  • ​If the child has an awareness reaffirm your responsibility as a parent to keep them safe
  • Listen
  • ​Keep answers short so not to over complicate the conversation

How to talk to your older children:
  • Meet your child where they are
  • Listen to what they think they know
  • ​Gently dispel misinformation
  • Reiterate your responsibility to keep them safe
  • Be honest and when you do not have the answers say so
  • Offer hope and model community-mindedness

Looking to be part of the solution? The following are non-profit partners in Austin that Generation SERVE volunteers support in their efforts to end domestic violence, educate around the impact of bullying, and support the needs of refugees. 

Hope Alliance
One Million Stars of Texas
Refugee Services of Texas
The SAFE Alliance
Texas Advocacy Project, Inc.

We are working to improve our resources. What service area would you like to learn about next? Leave us a comment and let us know.
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Teen Progarms and what they mean to Teen Advisory Board member, Jaya Mahajan

3/4/2022

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March, 2022- Hi Readers! Welcome back to the Generation SERVE blog! My name is Jaya Mahajan, and I am 17 years old. I am so glad to be writing this blog post for Generation SERVE.
     As far as my role in Generation SERVE, I am a member of TAB, which stands for the Teen Advisory Board. As a part of TAB, it is my job to assist with a variety of different things that help Generation SERVE to be the amazing nonprofit organization it is. For one, TAB fundraises for Generation SERVE through Bonfire, which has high quality merchandise designed by TAB teens that can be bought by you all. Fundraising is also done by TAB through GoFundMe, which allows anyone to support TAB with a monetary donation. I highly encourage you all to donate or purchase merchandise if you want to support Generation SERVE’s message “To engage children in volunteerism and empower them to make a difference in their communities”.
    TAB also aids Generation SERVE with the development of certain programs, such as Project Mentee and the Teen Leadership Academy. TAB members have created the lesson plans for the leadership training the Teen mentors go through to support Project Mentee. Those TAB members who help create the curriculum, lead such leadership training with the knowledge they have gained through being a part of TAB. Project Mentee is a program that encourages young kids to take initiative and become leaders in their community. I believe through Project Mentee  and the Teen Leadership Academy we are helping to grow Austin’s newest group of service-minded individuals, and I think anyone ages 8-12 & 13-18 would highly benefit from applying. Applications are open until March 9th for both Project Mentee and Teen Leadership Academy. I encourage you to apply today!
     The Teen Advisory Board also focuses on spreading awareness for TAB and Generation SERVE’s initiatives, through social media. The TAB Instagram and Facebook handle is @genservetab and I would love for you all to follow it! We post fun content to engage our followers and give them up to date information on everything going on with TAB. 
     I truly think TAB is an incredibly unique and impactful group of teens. The experiences I have been granted due to TAB have been extremely helpful for me to gain an edge over others my age. I have gained skills in writing, leading groups of various ages and demographics, public speaking, and marketing events. I think being a part of TAB will serve me well in my future, college and beyond. 
   Of course due to Covid-19 many of our previous opportunities and activities were moved to a virtual setting, but we are working hard now to make almost all of our activities in person! Our goal is to get involved as closely as we can with the Austin community we love so much. Thank you for reading this blog post! Hopefully through this you have come to understand who TAB is in correlation with Generation SERVE!
- Jaya Mahajan
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Support our teens on their leadership journeys!

12/23/2021

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Generation SERVE teens help at a community event in November 2021.


​December, 2021- Hello, Readers! Welcome back to our Generation SERVE blog! It is great to have you here. For those of you who I have not met, let me introduce myself. 

My name is Mackenzie Davison and I am the Program Manager over all Teen Programs and the Little Helpers Program. This month marks my 9th month with Generation SERVE and what a tremendous 9 months it has been! When I first accepted the job, I was excited by the opportunity to work with our younger generations again.I had always enjoyed working with teens and pre teens in the past, and this position gave me the chance to really engage with them as never before. 

My first impression of our Teen Advisory Board was awe. I was in awe of their leadership skills, emotional maturity and their decision making. During the volatile year that was 2020, the Teen Advisory Board operated smoothly and raised over $1,000 for Generation SERVE. Needless to say, awe is the obvious reaction to our Teens. 

Almost a year in, I am still impressed by our teens. During my time here, we have grown our Teen Programs. Over the summer we accepted our largest Teen Leadership Academy ever, at 75 teens, and our largest Project Mentee cohort, serving 45 pre teens. We worked to introduce Professional Development opportunities for our teens and our Teen Advisory Board produced over 30 Teen Service Days- and we aren’t done yet! 

With our teen programs expanding, we need the financial support of our community.I see the future in these young adults and it is bright. We have so much more to offer and with your support, I know we can!  Let me leave you with a quote from a Teen Programs Alumni. In my opinion, inspiring doesn’t even begin to cover what our teens do!

“Generation Serve is a big part of who I am. I got involved through the Teen Leadership Program in 2016... Little did I know just how much of an impact a summer program would have on my life.“ 

​- Eliza, Alumni of Generation SERVE, current student at Brigham Young University

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New Blog Authors!

12/7/2021

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​👋Welcome to Generation SERVE's blog! We are so excited to share with you. Our Teens involved in our Teen Advisory Board (TAB) are now the authors of this forum and will be publishing  posts that explore issues important to TAB and Generation SERVE. Thank you for being here and let's get reading!
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June 17th, 2021

6/17/2021

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Generation SERVE Announces New Executive Director
 
June 17, 2021, Austin and Houston, Texas. – Generation SERVE helps children to get involved in their communities through family service, service-learning, and youth leadership programs.  Nicole Sarkar, CFRE, has been appointed Executive Director for the expanding Texas-based organization.
 
“I could not be more thrilled to welcome Nicole Sarkar as our new executive director,” says Generation SERVE board president Erin D’Andrea. “Nicole’s deep roots in the Austin non-profit community and her proven success in helping organizations meet and exceed their goals fill me with excitement and optimism for the future of our organization. I look forward to partnering with Nicole as we work together to make our mission a movement.”
 
Nicole brings 20 years of experience to the position. She has worked for Texas-based nonprofits, including Meals on Wheels Central Texas, Girl Scouts Central Texas, Bat Conservation International, and AGE of Central Texas. As a Certified Fundraising Professional, her appointment will help Generation SERVE continue its expansion statewide.
 
“I have been a fan of Generation SERVE since the very beginning when it was known as Little Helping Hands and they came to volunteer at the AGE Adult Day Center,” says Nicole.  “I am honored to be here now at this very pivotal time. My son and I recently completed the Little Helpers program. It was inspiring to see him, and the other toddlers absorb each lesson.  Since then, he loves picking up litter and he has begun asking me about people experiencing homelessness. I can literally see the wheels turning and him processing the information we learned. The mission of Generation SERVE is so meaningful to me personally.  I look forward to working with the team to help Generation SERVE’s mission grow.“   - Nicole

Generation SERVE has grown quickly since it was founded in 2009.  As with many nonprofits, the coronavirus pandemic affected its programming and funding. However, the staff and Board successfully pivoted and despite the pandemic, partnered with over 129 nonprofits in Texas, the largest number to date.
 
Generation SERVE continues to deliver new programs created during the coronavirus pandemic, while simultaneously expanding and re-opening our popular in- person family volunteer program.
 
This month the organization will begin its summer programming, helping teens and pre-teens from  Austin and Houston learn and practice community leadership and service.
 
 
For more information on Generation SERVE, visit https://www.generationserve.org/.
 
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About Generation SERVE
Generation SERVE (formerly Little Helping Hands) is a 501-c3 non-profit organization that provides opportunities for children to get involved in their communities through family service, service-learning, and its youth leadership programs. Founded in Austin, Texas, in 2009, the organization currently serves Greater Austin and Houston.

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Austin Families Give Back

10/5/2020

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It is safe to assume that most of us have had a hard year. The realities of living through a global pandemic, shelter in place orders, virtual schooling, and the biggest fight for racial justice in recent memory has kept us all on edge. Whether you are feeling exhausted, inspired, anxious, or hopeful (or all four – I know I am!), one thing remains true: there is power and comfort in spending time in service of others. The drive to be an active citizen and generous community member is stronger than ever, and we at Generation SERVE have seen this in the unwavering commitment our families have shown through the last seven months.
We have made many changes to our volunteer programs in response to our current reality, and this includes our upcoming Austin Families Give Back event in November. We started this event in 2017 as a community celebration of volunteerism, held on National Family Volunteer Day. The purpose of this event is to inspire families new to volunteering together to find causes and organizations they connect with, to share with them the joy of giving back together, and to kick off the holiday season with a day of doing good. Though the spirit of this event remains the same, the event itself will be very different this year, and we hope you will join us!
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Austin Families Give Back (At Home!) will combine the fun, hands-on, age appropriate activities with virtual events on Saturday, November 21st. Families will order supply kits from Generation SERVE and can pick them up the week prior to the event.
Each kit will include supplies and instructions for completing various service projects to benefit our partner nonprofits we work with year round. The virtual events will explain more about the projects and will be opportunities to learn more about volunteerism and service. Because of our generous sponsors, this event is free to the community. Spots are limited, and we hope that you join us!

​Thank you to our event sponsors who have made this possible: 
NI, Capital One, Maxwell, Locke & Ritter, H-E-B Central Texas Region and Whole Foods, and our media sponsors Do512 and the Austin American-Statesman
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You can learn more about this event here.

- Charli Krause, Program Director
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Austin, TX 78755
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  • About Us
    • Our Impact
    • Who We Are >
      • Team
      • Board of Directors
    • Where We Are
    • Our History >
      • Our Founding Story
    • Job Opportunities
    • Blog
    • COVID-19 Policy
  • Programs
    • All Ages: Family Volunteering
    • All Ages: President's Volunteer Service Award
    • Preschool (3-to-5): Little Helpers Learn & Play
    • Tween & Teen (8 to 17): Summer Programs >
      • Summer Camp: SERVE in the City
      • Teen Summer Options
    • Teen Programs >
      • Teen Service Days
      • Teen Advisory Board
  • Give
    • Amazon Wishlist
    • Donate
    • Become A Family Sponsor
    • Join Serve Society
    • Become a Business Sponsor >
      • Annual Business Sponsorships
  • Get Involved
    • Lead: Activity Lead
    • Engage: Join the Board & Committees >
      • Development & Marketing Committee
      • Governance & Nominations Committee
      • Finance Committee
      • Austin & Houston Site Committees
    • Partner: For Nonprofits
    • Support: More ways to help
  • CALENDAR