Become Informed

Hey everyone!
So, I'm a little nervous about actually getting into the nitty-gritty of volunteerism, but in life we must be unafraid and to try, even when faced with possible failure.

One thing that I find incredibly important, and something I don't do enough, is become an informed participant in my causes. I like to think that as a social being, I care and feel empathy and remorse for others. However, the most effective volunteer is an informed one. This can be complicated though, because in our day and age, we have an overload of materials and information sources. One should always use discretion to research concepts. I recommend reading contrasting viewpoints, sources from different political/racial/socioeconomic groups, and to always come to and leave a source with questions about legitimacy, the message itself, and where to go from there.

So, I am beginning the conversation about education with a plea for us to become informed. Everyone says "The education system is failing America's youth". Well, that's all well and good, but no one can effect positive change without understanding the how's, why's, whom's, and what for's. This is asking a lot for a person, which is why though this will be a online blog about a myriad of topics, issues, and causes, I challenge people to find a few causes they're passionate about, a few causes to be solid supporters of, and many causes you'd be willing to jump in from time to time.

So, under Education/Youth, you will be seeing resources for information, and eventually causes both national and local, related directly to education and youth. In fact, I hope to provide information and resources for all the topic headings. Please feel free to send me resources, causes and information that can be viable and useful, because I am only ONE person. Below is a video with some facts about the educational system, just to get you started. PLEASE do not take my facts or my sources as verbatim or as the only sources on the topic available. This is to start a dialogue.

Also, in the coming week there are a few important things to look forward to!
-April 20th is Day of Silence, in support of gays, lesbians, bisexual, queer, and transgender people. This can be a hotly debated topic, so I challenge you all to be extra respectful that day. The old adage "If you have nothing nice to say, then don't say anything at all" is extremely true. I will be (hopefully!) joining in on that day, so tune in for a unique video. If you want to join, seek out your GSA or similar club on campus for the events and game plan for that day!
-Earth Day is April 22nd! Find ways to be extra green that day. I hope to interview some green clubs on campus this week for some great green tips. We only have ONE earth, so let's take care of it.
-Soon, I want to do a blog that is incredibly important to me: unhealthy body image and eating disorders. Send in a picture, a message, or even a video about what makes you beautiful, handsome, irresistible, or cute! I am hoping to have a gallery, with diversity of people and thoughts :]

Anyways, here is the video!

                                              DoSomething. "11 Facts about Education in America." DoSomething. N.p., 2012. 
                                                   Web. 14 Apr. 2012. <http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/ 
                                                   11-facts-about-education-america>.

Muchos Love,

Celinda

One Step: The Beginning

Hey y'all!
People might know me from my College Corner Blog, started my senior in high school in order to help the juniors begin their college process. Or maybe you know me from Accepted! Now What? my blog about about the first year in college. I am still working hard at that one, but it's my last term of my freshman year at college, and sooner than I want, it'll be time to move on from my Uni college blogging. It's been great, but I feel sad and a little lost. I love blogging, even if I am not always consistent. I love helping. And college has shown me how much volunteering and giving back needs to be done, and how much it means to me. So, I got an idea.

I always tell my mom that one of the things I hate most is a lack of PASSION or PURPOSE. Everyone complains about our generation; about how we only care about superficial things and unimportant matters. But, we are in the perfect position to MAKE a difference! We have technology, travel, and scientific advancements that we can use to our advantage. I will tell you that there are nights I can't sleep because I am terrified about the world. But all I can do is take a single step. One Step. One project. One person. One day.

I got to thinking, if all of us fought for the causes we were passionate about, if all of us brought in our different skill sets and hopes, we could make some difference in this world. I can't promise simple solutions. What I can tell you is that here, on my new blog called One Step, we have a chance to brainstorm, to work together, to give tirelessly, and to make some change in the causes that keep us up at night.

Though I have some initial causes I want to consider, they by no means define what One Step can do. This blog is for the environmentalists, the literacy pushers, the democrats, the republicans, those who have causes across the world and in their backyard. The anti-bully, the anti-hungry, the anti-sexual assault can all have a voice or a home base. This blog will be for resources, for events, for campaigns, for dreams, for videos, for pictures, for laments, and for change.

I might sound like a dreamer, but I KNOW I am not the only one. Come on, and take One Step with me.
Muchos Love,
Celinda

Check back in soon for the next blog, and I hope to hear some great ideas and causes! I say down with being passive about the issues that plague our world. Say yes to positive and hopeful change!