Disasters: How Teens Can Help

When you hear a disaster has happened, it can be upsetting to think about the people who are affected. It may make you worry that something similar could happen to you, your family, or friends.

Things like earthquakes, war, wildfires, and severe weather events can impact a lot of people. You may feel helpless to do anything, but there are lots of things you can do to help those involved.

What Can I Do?

Talk about what’s going on and how you are feeling with your friends and the adults in your life. Together, you can find ways to make a difference. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Find out what kind of help people need.

Check the website of a group like the Red Cross or Doctors Without Borders. Or reach out to a local community center (like the YMCA), places of worship, or other organizations that are set up to help. They know what people need most and the best ways to help. You can pitch in to support their efforts.

Depending on the situation, a relief group may need donations of food, water, or other supplies. They may need volunteers for a clean-up project, to serve meals to those who are displaced, or to pack boxes of food or supplies. Raising money for an organization that supports those affected by a disaster is another way to help.

If you plan to donate supplies, check a group's social media to find out what's most needed. Or ask for a list. Choose what to give based on their information. That way, they don’t have to spend money storing or handling extra stuff they can’t use.

Get others to join you.

Working with others for a good cause is a way to bond. And more people-power means more help for those who need it. You could decide to do something with your family, friends, school group, or with people in another community that you belong to.

Get together to talk about the plan. Talk through the details. Figure out who will do what. If you want to do something at school, you might need to ask a teacher to be part of it.

Plan what you’ll do, and make it happen. Here are some things you might need to do to carry out your plan:

• Let’s say you plan to collect supplies. After you find out what's needed, you’ll want to post a list of what to bring and when and where to drop it off. You might need a drop-off box and a place to store the items.
• What if you’re helping to plan a fundraiser event? What will it be? Maybe it’s a car wash, bake sale, 5K, or dance-a-thon. Decide when and where to hold your event, and how you’ll let people know. An event like this will take more planning.
• Be sure to let people know why their giving matters and who will benefit. If you do an event, someone could say a few words. Or you could use posters or social media to explain.
• After the event, you’ll need to decide how to sort items and get your donation to the charity. Work out all the steps.

Why Does It Matter?

Your actions help others. Giving is a way to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Even small acts of kindness and giving have an effect. It reminds others that they are not alone. And that there are people who are willing to help.

Giving is good for you, too. Think about what you’ve gained from giving. Did you make new friends? Find new leadership skills? Have fun doing hard work? Did you use strengths like creativity, planning, tech skills, or teamwork? Maybe you deepened some inner strengths, like compassion and gratitude. Maybe you found a new passion for helping or service.

Think about what it meant to you. You probably noticed how good it feels to be part of something that matters. And to know you can make a difference in someone’s life.