08-02-2025
Students learn to make a difference through local nonprofits
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — High school juniors from the Miami Valley are learning how to make a difference in the community.
On Friday, students visited multiple non-profits to see opportunities to give and volunteer. 2 NEWS is sharing the lessons they're taking away.
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'My community has done so much for me. I just want to give back,' said Harman Kaur, Dayton Regional STEM School Junior.
With each box of school supplies put on shelves, these students are giving back to nonprofit Crayons to Classrooms.
'We're really excited to have this group here today. They've been a lot of fun and they've done a lot of good work to help us serve the teachers for next week,' said Amy Kopp, Crayons to Classrooms director of development.
This is part of Making a Difference in Your Community Day, for high school juniors in the Junior Leadership Dayton Program. It's hosted by the Dayton Foundation and the YMCA.
One Friday per month, the students get out of class to learn about what it means to serve their community.
'I think it really opens their eyes to what Dayton has to offer as a community. And I think it really helps them grow in their leadership,' said Taylor Walker, YMCA teen development director. 'And I think by the end of it, they're doing it because of the greater cause and not just because it's a resume booster.'
After Crayons to Classrooms, the group visited the Dayton Dream Center, and Kids in New Directions. At the end of the day, program leaders hope these students realize they can make a difference.
'Just as the Dayton Foundation says, we want to help you help others. And I want the students to be able to understand that they can have that within themselves, that they can go on and help others,' said Karen Gruenberg, the Dayton Foundation.
And students say it's been an opportunity to make new friends and give back.
'If you really want to do something, you would go out of your way to do it,' said Kaur. 'Even though you aren't getting paid, you aren't required to do it.'
Through this initiative, the students got the chance to be philanthropists. With the help of the Dayton Foundation, the students picked one of the nonprofits they visited Friday to donate to.
To learn more about the Dayton Foundation and how they help you help others, click here.
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