A group of women in Northumberland County has launched a new initiative aimed at inspiring a kinder and more community-minded generation of young people.
100+ Women Who Care Northumberland is a collective philanthropy group that brings like-minded women together to support local charities, with each member donating $50 four times a year.
Now, members are striving to extend that spirit of giving by introducing 100 Youth Who Care Northumberland, an initiative that invites children and teens to make a difference through simple, everyday acts of generosity.
“The impetus was to encourage young people to get involved in acts of kindness and philanthropy (through) teachings and activities we do with our kids,” Nicole Beatty, who is co-lead of 100 Youth Who Care along with Erin Kruk and Rebecca Verbeem, told kawarthaNOW. “100 Women is part of 100 People Who Care (Northumberland) and we have the 100 Guys Who Care Northumberland group, so adding a youth initiative completes the circle.”
The “100 Who Care” collective philanthropy movement began in the United States in November 2006, when Karen Dunigan of Michigan formed the first 100 Women Who Care group. After their first meeting, those women raised over $10,000 for the purchase of 300 new baby cribs for a local organization. The movement has grown over the past 19 years to include groups of men, women, youth, and children around the world, with hundreds of chapters in Canada alone — including in Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland.
“Our goal is to engage kids in the community,” Beatty said. “The focus isn’t so much on fundraising as it is about teaching the values of being involved and (instilling) civic values.”
As part of that aim, young people in the community are invited to take part in the 100 Acts of Kindness Challenge, which is running now through to December 13. It calls on youth to register online, complete acts of kindness, and then share them, with the goal of celebrating a collective 100 acts of kindness across Northumberland County.
“We believe every child, no matter their age, can experience the joy of giving,” said Kruk in a media release, with Verbeem adding, “Kindness is contagious. When one young person does something good, others follow.”
Free downloadable activity kits are available to download, with suggestions for giving back include activities like a hosting a bake sale for charity, collecting school supplies for those in need, and writing thank-you notes to local helpers.
Proceeds from all 100 Youth Who Care fundraisers will support a dedicated 100 Youth Who Care fund with micro-grants for youth-focused charities and projects in the region.
A teen philanthropy council called the Kindness Crew will help review applications and decide where funds are shared. This process is aimed at ensuring youth play a hands-on role in giving back.
“100 Youth Who Care helps young people see that they have the power to make real change,” said Beatty. “It’s about planting seeds of compassion that grow into a lifetime of giving.”
Although a 100 Kids Who Care group was founded in Northumberland before the pandemic, it was stalled due to shutdowns, according to Beatty.
“With new energy and the three of us as moms of young kids, we wanted to reignite the program,” Beatty said of herself and her co-leads. “We renamed it youth to be more inclusive of ages.”
Young people, families, and schools can sign up for the 100 Acts of Kindness Challenge and download free resources at 100womennorthumberland.ca/100-youth.
