In the middle of the stress and strain of preparing for an event at the International Youth Forum (IYF), I suddenly felt a deep sense of appreciation for the opportunity to be a part of the work of Outreach International. I was part of the team of interns and staff of Outreach International that were in charge of the Wednesday activity at IYF in Independence, MO. It was a daunting and stressful task to lead a group of almost 1,000 high school aged youth from around the world in a group activity.
But as I sat listening to Matt Naylor, the President of Outreach International, talk about the difference we are making in the lives of the poor, I was inspired!
I realized that too often I take for granted the opportunity to be part of a movement that is really making a difference. It is so easy to get caught up in the daily tasks that really don't seem like they matter and forget that every advocacy activity, every hunger challenge, ever letter written to Congress, ever dollar given, combines to create real change.
At IYF, we asked the youth to commit to doing something to help create Sustainable Good and I was impressed by their commitments: "To not be silent about poverty." "To being more generous." "To reevaluate my needs vs. my wants." Pretty powerful! If everyone reading this joined with these youth to make AND KEEP one commitment to living more justly, our changes would combine to create real change in the world!
-Stephen Donahoe
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