Youth Activities That Teach Hope

In a difficult and turbulent world, hope activities for youth teach the importance to remain optimistic and to know there is hope regardless of tough situations. To learn about the importance of hope builds character and teaches youth to become service-oriented in their relationship to others. Hope activities for youth show the necessity of perseverance, overcoming obstacles to achieve goals, and to find resilience in a changing world.

Hope Activities for Youth

• Make a list of what is important. For example, friends, family, basketball, a hobby.
• Define "I want to" goals
• If a goal is too broad, like I want to become a firefighter, make sub-goals.
• Celebrate the goal achievement.

A fun activity to achieve a goal is a choreographed group dance. Film a TikTok video as a way to celebrate the achievement.

Hope Activities for Students

1. Set Goals. Goals that can be accomplished. Goals that are clear.
2. Find different ways to reach the goals.
3. Continue motivation to apply the strategies, when obstacles arise on your path to goal completion.

Interviewing Neighbors

Have your students go throughout their neighborhoods and interview neighbors who have experienced challenging situations and overcame them through self-determination, others' support and optimism.

For example, one student may interview a neighbor who took in eight nieces and nephews when his or her sibling became incarcerated. The student can discuss how this neighbor manages to provide for the children while on a fixed income, and how the children are coping with the parent's incarceration. Then have the students turn the interview into an informative essay which can be published in the school's newsletter.

Promotion of Struggling Small Businesses

If you want to help small businesses in your city that are struggling, you can help them attract new customers by getting members of your youth group together to promote these businesses.

For example, if you know of a formal clothing shop that has existed for 30 years and has recently lost a significant amount of revenue due to a decline in sales, speak with the owner of the shop about offering a discount on prom dresses and tuxedos for local high schools as an incentive to get new customers. Then have the youth group create fliers at their schools to promote the discount. If possible, you, the youth group and shop owner can visit local radio stations and discuss the discounts.

Assistance with Job Training for the Recently Unemployed

If you are a campus career counselor, recruit some students to help you with a job training seminar for the recently unemployed in your city.

Have the students meet with the job seekers and ask about their work history and career goals. The students can help prepare cover letters and resumes for the job seekers and show them the basics of searching for jobs online.