Have you got a teen in your house interested in making a difference locally or even globally? If so, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center is the place to be this Saturday, March 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
That’s when the center’s annual Teen Action Fair takes place, an event created for teens by teens and aimed at connecting young people with organizations that could use their help.
This year’s fair theme is “Those Who Made Us,” and participants will explore intersections between family life, mental health, and racial equity. The day includes games, activities, and performances by numerous artists including Totem Star, Northwest Tap, and Red Eagle Soaring.
Designed by teens
The fair was planned and organized by members of the Gates Foundation Discovery Center’s Youth Ambassadors program. More than 30 Seattle area high school students are part of the program. Young Ambassadors is a yearlong program for high school-aged youth who care deeply about fostering inclusion and belonging, want to raise awareness about local and global issues, and create youth-focused programs and exhibits to inspire positive social change. Youth Ambassadors spearhead community outreach efforts, organize the annual action fair, co-facilitate the center’s Youth Summer Workshops, and develop leadership, empathy, and collaboration skills along the way.
“They have been planning this event for months and have designed an incredible line-up of performances and organizations,” says ays Cara Egan, senior communications officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center.
Organizations look forward to connecting with teens
More importantly, it will include opportunities for teens to meet with representatives from numerous nonprofit organizations including, Acts on Stage, Amara, CULTURED, Empowering Youth and Family, Free2Luv, GAY City, Mary’s Place, National Alliance on Mental Illness – Seattle, Period, RadioActive Youth Media, Redmond High School Black Student Union, Ruby Room, SAM Teens, Teen Feed, TeenTix, Washington Legislative Youth Advisory Council and
YouthCare.org.
Connecting passions
“Teens can connect with a variety of incredible youth related organizations to explore their interests and passions in getting involved to make a difference,” says Egan. “It’s a platform to also connect with other teens in the area who are interested in taking action on causes they care about. It’s an inspiring and hopeful event.”
An RSVP to the event is requested but not required. Says Egan: “This is for teens, but all ages are welcome! And it’s free!”
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