Back in middle school, I distinctly remember the early onset of my desire to be an activist. Beginning with the highly popularized Do Something campaigns, I unearthed a deep commitment to social justice and positive change both in my community and in the greater world around me. The organization grew quickly since its founding in 1993 by Andrew Shue and Michael Sanchez due to its targeting of youth. By empowering young people to become active citizens and leaders in a lively, engaging way, Do Something opened the door to thousands of new social movements all over the country. Primarily run online, this organization sought to equip students with the desire and know-how to pursue positive community development, as well as to supply them with critical resources required of raising awareness for various issues.
This nonprofit and its leaders differ from the rest in that it is primarily a digital platform that seeks to power offline action. Shue and Sanchez were ahead of the game by catering to the social media frenzied world we live in today at such an early period. Both founders sought to spark interest in youth to run their own campaigns and take action on things they personally care about. For instance, Do Something enabled and inspired me to lead my own school-wide clothing drive throughout my high school years. Shue and Sanchez paved the way for future digital leaders and activists by supporting and promoting a new generation of online users that want to leave a legacy in their communities.
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