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As the saying goes, “children are the future,” which is why we’re thrilled that Ally Maize is around. After watching An Inconvenient Truth at the age of 15 she knew that something had to be done, she wanted to take action. She decided to help spread the message of green living to kids and founded the non-profit organization, The Green Youth Movement (GYM).
In the long term, GYM hopes to get a practical and researched-based environmental course in elementary schools across the nation in order to help educate kids on what they can do the make the planet a greener place. The immediate goal, however, is simply to help elementary school kids to become aware.
Living by the words of Mahatma Ghandi , “you must be the change you wish to see in the world,” so Ally spends her time visiting elementary schools educating kids on what’s going on with our planet and empowers them to make greener choices and passes the torch of responsibility to an even younger generation.
Kids who are inspired to go further can then sign up to be GYM ambassadors and help their schools adopt eco-friendly practices like installing sustainable gardens, fundraising with eco-friendly waterless car washes and more.
Ally believes adopting a greener lifestyle is not all that difficult, ”The whole global warming issue is very big, but if you break it up into basics, it’s not that overwhelming, and if you just change one thing about your lifestyle, the impact is immense.”
And in two years, she’s already rubbed elbows with Vice President Al Gore whom was awarded the Green Youth Movement Inspiration Award in 2009.
We’re glad that the next generation has kids like Ally who are striving to make meaningful change in a positive way.
If you want to learn more about the Green Youth Movement or get involved visit www.greenyouthmovement.org.
If you want to support GYM, you can purchase tickets here.
To enter, comment below on how you think we can help kids go green or how kids can help us. Winner will be picked on Wednesday, March 17th and be notified via email. Good luck!
The Green Initiative Fashion Show takes place on Saturday, March 20th at 1 p.m. at Sunset Gower Studios, 1438 N. Gower, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Images via Greenyouthmovement.org
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Kristina von Hoffmann
The most important way to empower young folks is to help them understand that each person has just as much fear bubbling inside them as the next one–this means adults and adolescents. Once they realize that all folks are hampered by the same setbacks, they might come to the conclusion that there is nothing holding them back from taking the action THEY want to take and nothing to stop them from making THEIR voices heard, without fear of denial, rebuttal, or failure.
Fun Things to Do This Weekend | Your Daily Thread – YDT
[...] YDT EXTRAS: Be sure to check out this weeks giveaways including eco-chic yoga gear, tickets to the GYM Eco-Fashion Show this Saturday and our latest deals on Marie Veronique Organics, Body Scrubs and [...]
Brenna
In order to get kids to go green, we need to lead by example. Once we get them excited about it we need to allow them to move in that direction…not stifle their ideas but encourage them to talk, play, think and do green.
