Youth Changemaker Clubs

Making change changes kids!

Youth Changemaker Clubs (YCCs) offer young people a chance to connect with real-world issues affecting people, animals, or the environment and take action to make a meaningful impact.  

Some groups choose to tackle local issues like food insecurity and work on projects like food rescue, gardens, or other forms of mutual aid, and other groups address global issues and use informational, educational, or other kinds of campaigns. The sky is the limit for their creativity. 

• One YCC is currently working to help stop deforestation by spreading awareness about palm oil through a play, educational efforts, and a letter-writing campaign. 

• Another YCC is working to get two captive whales to sanctuary so they are no longer used for entertainment. 

1. What does a Club Lead actually do?

As a Club Lead, you serve as the main facilitator and guide for your club. Your primary responsibilities include:

• Organize a club by securing a host site and enrolling members. We provide all the forms and guidance you need 

• Facilitating regular club meetings using our provided activities and guidelines.

• Helping youth members collaborate, explore issues, and choose a community project.

• Serving as the point of contact between your club, host site, and our organization.

• High school students, supported by a teacher, can be a club lead!

2. What is the expected time commitment?

• Meeting Preparation: ~10-30 minutes per week to prepare and plan.

• Club Meetings: Typically 1 hour per week (or bi-weekly, depending on your club’s schedule).

• Check-ins: A brief check-in with our team via email or video call 3 times total throughout the process. 

• Duration: Clubs typically meet for 8-12 weeks but can be adjusted for shorter or longer projects.

3. Do I need prior leadership or teaching experience?

No! You don't need to be an expert or a teacher. We provide all the curriculum, discussion prompts, and activity guides you need. The most important qualification is your enthusiasm for supporting and empowering young people.

4. Where and when do clubs meet?

Clubs meet at an approved Host Agency or School (such as a local school, community center, or youth organization).

• You will work with the host site to establish a consistent day, time, and location that works for everyone.

5. What support and resources will I receive?

We make sure you’re fully equipped from day one! You will get:

• Youth Changemaker Club Handbook: Plug-and-play connecting activities and discussion frameworks (like The Big Questions).

• Direct Staff Support: Access to our staff for guidance, troubleshooting, and project feedback.

• Funding Opportunities: Guidance on submitting project proposals for funding to support your club's initiative.

6. How do youth members register for the club?

Once your host site is approved and your lead registration is complete:

1. You will receive a Participant Sign-Up link to share with families and youth.

2. Families complete the online registration form.

3. Once registration closes, you will receive your official participant roster.

7. What are the key phases of leading a club?

• Phase 1: Setup & Recruitment: Secure a host agency or school, set a consistent meeting time/place, invite participants, and complete all required registration forms (Host Agreement, Lead Registration, and Participant Sign-Up).

• Phase 2: Group Connection & Learning: Engage participants using LivingKind tools and "The Big Questions" to build team connections and explore root causes of community issues.

• Phase 3: Project Proposal & Approval: Brainstorm solutions, decide on a club project, meet with LivingKind staff, and submit your Project Proposal for feedback and potential funding.

• Phase 4: Action & Execution (Implied from project approval) — Receive proposal approval (within 10 days) and move forward with executing your group's project.

8. What are the next steps to get started?

1. Express Interest: Click the interest link on our site and submit your quick interest form.

2. Schedule & Join the Orientation Call: Book a time that works for you to meet with our team, ask questions, and learn more.

3. Receive the Handbook & Launch: After our call, receive your official Club Lead Handbook and kick off Phase 1!scription

YCCs are led by parents, teachers, or other volunteers and hosted by schools, nonprofit organizations, clubs, shelters, sanctuaries, or a number of other sites.

Clubs work together to choose an issue, learn about it, and propose a project that is eligible for funding of up to $250. Clubs are very flexible in terms of time commitment and project scope. 

• LivingKind works with Club leads and provides the resources they need in a handbook that guides them every step of the way, including how to apply for micro-grants of up to $250. 

• We leverage a youth-led, adult-supported model that allows participants to have real voice in their project.

• Club leads are also eligible for consultations and coaching from LivingKind staff who will help them as needed.

Young people get real-life practice with leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and hands-on experience with advocacy in a supportive environment, giving them greater agency and building a strong foundation for the positive changemaking skills and practices that our world so urgently needs.

• They learn how to analyze issues, incorporate other perspectives on the issues, and understand the root cause so that their impact is all the more powerful! 

• YCCs provide opportunities for youth to engage with their communities and strengthen peer bonds by learning how to work together and create healthy group dynamics.

• Both kids and adults get to make a meaningful impact and have a great time doing it!

Yes! In our 2024-2025 pilot year, we surveyed several YCC programs using Hello Insight, a platform that measures social-emotional learning (SEL) capacities through youth-driven pre- and post-assessments. Of the YCCs surveyed, 100% of participants reported program satisfaction. Additionally, 92% of young people demonstrated gains in at least one SEL capacity (core capacities include academic self-efficacy, mastery orientation, self-management, and social skills). What’s more, YCC participants developed these skills at a rate higher than 75% of all comparable youth programs!

If you are interested in learning more about the YCC program, the first step in starting or hosting a club is to fill out this interest form and we will be in touch with everything you need to get started! Download the flyer for additional details.