February 23, 2023 -
April 21, 2023
ZHZW Youth Community Project (9 hours)
sponsored by Kroger Zero Hunger Zero Waste
Responsible Consumption and Production
SKILLS DEVELOPED
Collaboration, Creativity, Critical thinking, Initiative, Leadership
SUMMARY
Reflection
Throughout the past few months, in partnership with Kroger Zero Waste and Zero Hunger, I created a small initiative to cultivate better waste reduction policies within my community and my nation. I assembled a Youth Advisory Board around Reducing Waste called the "Detritus Collective," which involved students from my local area to the country of the Netherlands. I attracted students from the 8th grade to sophomores in College to a part of the mission, in which different parts of the branch engaged in community activism, outreach, and programs to create more engagement. We also produced lots of literature and education tools used by thousands across neighborhoods in the country. I learned some essential lessons on leadership, communication, and team-building to create a cooperative willing to work towards a united goal and make a change. I also learned crucial lessons on creating agendas, zeroing in on specific goals, and managing a nationwide project, which was a very interesting and exciting experience.
Project Impact
Involved over 50+ students across the Stevenson, Waukegan, Highland Park, and Schaumburg, Indiana, Wisconsin, and California areas, with hundreds of collective hours of environmental impacts. Created over 10,000 pieces of literature to be distributed in over 100+ neighborhoods. Partnered with local pantries, organizations, school associations, national recycling plants, and local governments to engage more civic action towards creating a greener globe. Engaged over 5,000 students and community members to pursue more green and waste-reducing practices within their daily lives.
PROJECTS TASKS
Idea Submission
1.00 hour leading a program | Connectedness
Through the Kroger Zero Hunger Zero Waste Foundation, I connected to eager companies and regional areas to create more change around Zero Waste! I proposed the idea of creating a Youth Advisory Board and the emergence of a youth-run Non-Profit Organization that would enable students to become leaders of Green ideals within their community. Kroger accepted my proposal, and I received a 500-dollar micro-grant to further my mission!
Planning & Partnering for Success
3.00 hours leading a program | Connectedness
Throughout this stage, I planned my ideas and reached out to multiple passionate and emboldened individuals! I also contacted all the connections I got and helped create some programs for them! All in all, everyone was critical in the culmination of the event, which is shown through the impacts we had!
Preparation, Promotion & Project Execution
5.00 hours leading a program | Connectedness
Through the support of the NWRA, Stevenson High School Green Team, and my local food pantry, I could do multiple things with numerous passionate individuals! I worked with my school's Green Team to assist with their events for Earth Week, volunteering at a clothing swap, giving away reusable straws and bags, and helping with forest restoration. On top of that, I worked with my local food pantry to raise more food and goods and then utilized youth support to help create Earth Day and green awareness! Finally, I worked with the National Waste and Recycling Association to develop small prototype programs within my area to incentivize waste reduction, such as using every piece of large plastic turned in as a raffle ticket and creating large social media posts to garner attention around the issue! All in all, it was very successful and very to do!
Aid/Relief
Climate & Wildlife
Equality
