“Touch a life and change the world.” That was the keynote address at the recent Michigan After –School Collaborative Summer Summit in East Lansing on May 13. That’s really what YouthQuest is all about- touching the hearts and lives of children, to help change their world and equip THEM to change the world.
One of my favorite books is called “QBQ! The Question Behind the Question.” The subtitle is “What to really ask yourself to eliminate blame, complaining, and procrastination.” The central concept is that too often we blame others for our problems, circumstance, or situations. Instead of pointing the finger at someone else, we should ask the question, “Even if I’m not the one to blame, even if the circumstances may be out of my control, what can I do to improve this situation?”
This is a message we will be threading throughout YouthQuest, both with our staff and our students: How each of us can take responsibility for our situation, to improve it, and make a difference in our world? What if each student in YouthQuest learned the skills to take responsibility, whether it be for their learning, preventing bullying, or litter in their neighborhoods? What a great opportunity to change their lives and those around them!
What if each of us as adults did the same thing? Instead of waiting for “someone else” (whoever that is) to do something, what if we said “I can make a difference, right here and right now!”? I firmly believe it’s possible.
Let me take it one step farther: What if we did it together? What if together we take responsibility to make a difference? Instead of touching a life, we would be touching many lives.
We believe YouthQuest makes a real difference in the lives of kids, and that they in turn will make a difference in the world. How will you make a difference in the life of someone today? Touch a life… and change the world!
John Waldo
Director, YouthQuest
