Tired of being labeled no good?  Want to make a serious change in the world?  We've got amazing ideas and we know you do too.  So- seriously...check out this page!  Get active and make change.  Take the director's seat and don't be afraid to use your voice.  Teen Web, as well as other cool and impactful projects developed as the result of young people who wanted to get out and do something...so DO IT.  Check out the advice, steps to take and much more below!

Hey, what's up?  Billy Hallowell here with some easy steps to starting a cool project and making it totally successful!  Follow the steps to make your plans and aspirations a reality!  Use sports, music, entertainment or whatever you love to get your point across!  Check it out!

What makes you tick?  What do you do in your spare time?  Writing is my passion.  I love doing it and it gives me the coolest opportunity to reach out to people.  I can really get my ideas down on paper!  It may be art, sports or entertainment for you.  Whatever it is- grab a hold of it.  First, you have to pinpoint your passion.  The only way you'll have a successful project is if you stay motivated.  The best way to stay motivated is to do stuff you love- this way you won't get bored.  For example, right now I am writing positive books to inspire young people.  Also, I love public speaking, so I started Path-U-Find Communications and I organize a cool project every  year called Peace Project!  I take my passions:  writing, my faith and public speaking and use them to make a difference!

Every project you do should be creative.  You have to sit down and put your mind in motion.  Think of the unique things you can do with your passion...things to help the environment, stop youth violence, end discrimination or help the homeless (these are only a few examples of important issues or causes). 

Some young people have raised money to help place plants and flowers in areas around their cities (to improve the look and feel of the ares), while others have started cool media companies.  In my hometown some young people wanted a place for people to skate and just chill, so they launched a campaign to build a skate park...and their efforts paid off. 

Today's young generation (i.e. YOU) has shown just how positive and influential it can be.  Brainstorm some ideas.  Think of some stuff in society that annoys you, or an issue you think is wrong.  Take a stand and write down some of your best ideas. 

Once you've pinpointed your passion and let your creative juices flow it's time to draft a plan on paper or on your computer.  Think of it as a rough draft and use it to outline your idea.  Spend some time building on it until you feel like you've got it down the way you want it.  When you get it the right way, then you will draft your "final copy," which will basically highlight a good description of your cool idea.  Don't be afraid to spend a few days, or even weeks, getting it all squared away. 

Some useful things to include in your final draft:

A description of your proposed project in detail

A background on yourself and why you want to tackle your specific issue

Research and statistics on the topic or issue you plan to present (this provides a basis and need for your program...basically, it shows a reason why others should support you, while showing them a serious societal problem or other issue)

A budget highlighting what you think you will need (keep this within reason and don't be afraid to draft it later on after you make your connections - see below)

Next, you'll turn your attention over to your most accessible resources- your school or university and the Internet.  Both provide great venues for important info!  Look around your school for programs that resemble your own, ask teachers and faculty about their possible involvement with your project and get motivated to see what the deal is. 

Check out the scene to see what's already in your community.  Write to politicians too!  Send them your plan.  You never know who will be willing to help.  Make it professional; make it look good.  Round up contacts you believe may be able to help you.  Google or Yahoo! your topic to find professionals and others you believe will be able to help you advance.  If your topic is "violence," then look up "anti-violence projects" or "violence" and see what comes up.  Make phone calls and send e-mails to your new connections and let them know what you are doing or want to do.  Forming these partnerships is essential!

Now you have to figure out who will help you with finding.  EVERYTHING costs money.  Don't freak out though.  Talk stuff over with your contacts and see who they know.  In fact, many of them may work for non-profits (organizations devoted to a cause and eligible for grants and other methods to raise important funding for projects).  Also, hit up Yahoo! and Google again.  Search your topic. 

Look for grants and awards that you may be eligible for.  If you partner with a non-profit organization you'll be eligible to gain support from businesses and companies in the community (either way you can gain this support, but companies are more likely to donate to non-profits, because their gifts are tax deductible when they do so). 

Now it's time to do it BIG.  What do I mean by this?  Well, it's going to be a tough road.  Every project takes a lot of work to complete.  I'm still learning things everyday and I've been working on Teen Web for over six years!  When you make it to this step you have already made contacts, outlined a draft and budget...you're well on your way.  However, you've only just begun.  It take a lot of work and dedication.  DON'T be discouraged.  When things seem to not be working, look for something else.  Don't give up.  That's my biggest piece of advice for you.  Take your contacts and work, put it together, brainstorm and make your project a success.  Devotion and hard work are the two most important ingredients for success! 

You CAN'T get discouraged.  Always be willing to do your best and don't be disappointed if you need to downsize your plan.  Get your peers and others around you to support you.  No matter what you think you can't do everything by yourself.  Good luck with your project or program!

It's time to get active...check out the cool grants, awards and other stuff you can get.  PLUS, find out how you can get involved with some cool organizations!  There are a lot of people who can help you get on the right track to making your project a success!  We've got a few places for you to go to look for support!  Check out these organizations.  Browse their homepages and see what they've got to offer you!

Youth Venture

Youth Service America

Teen Web Online

SHiNE (Seeking Harmony in Neighborhoods Everyday)