'She'll get under your skin if you let her'

The sixth one

Hi, hey, hello–I love Gen Z+A

As we continue to shape the state of giving and envision what generosity will mean for the next generation, I am excited to chat with someone who embodies the essence of this evolving landscape—my 12-year-old niece, Kayden.

Currently navigating the pivotal moments of 7th grade, Kayden represents the bridge between Gen Z and Gen A, where digital fluency meets social consciousness. Hailing from a family deeply rooted in volunteerism and compassion, Kayden's upbringing has instilled in her a profound sense of empathy and a desire to make a difference. I vividly recall the countless hours she spent by my side, diligently packing hygiene kits for girls as part of Smile On Me. From meticulously assembling every girl's bag for camp in 2022 to lending a helping hand in various community initiatives, Kayden's commitment to service knows no bounds.

Today, as we delve into her thoughts on generosity and philanthropy, we initiate a shared exploration of the values and aspirations that will shape the future Gospel of Wealth. Let’s get into it!

(responses have been finessed for clarity)

Dre: What does the term "generosity" mean to you?

Kayden: Generosity is like when you have 10,000 Robux and you share them with your friends without expecting anything in return. It's not just about giving stuff though, it's also about giving your time and attention to others. Like when someone helps you with a school project even though they have their own to do, or when they listen to you even if they're busy.

Dre: How important is it for people your age to demonstrate generosity or engage in philanthropy?

Kayden: I think it's super important. Even though we might not have a lot of money, we can still make a big difference by sharing what we have and giving our time. Plus, when we see the positive effects of our actions, it inspires us to keep doing more to help others. So yeah, I think it's really important for kids like us to be generous and give back whenever we can.

Dre: I totally agree! It's awesome to see young people like you making a difference. Do you find it challenging sometimes to give back or lead by example amongst your friends? What are some obstacles you face when trying to do good?

Kayden: Yeah, sometimes it can be tough. One challenge is finding the time, especially with school and volleyball keeping me busy. Also, not everyone might understand why giving back is important, so it can be hard to get everyone on board. Some people just don't care to give back, and honestly, if I wasn't in this family, I would probably feel the same sometimes. It's hard to do something when you don't have adults in your life who are leading the way. Plus, sometimes we might feel like our efforts are small compared to the big problems out there. But even with these challenges, I think it's worth it because every little act of kindness adds up to make a big difference. 

Dre: That’s a good point. I feel like that too sometimes, like what I’m doing doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. Do you think social media plays a role in how your generation demonstrates generosity? If so, how?

Kayden: Yeah social media can be a bit tricky sometimes. I mean it's cool to see people using it to spread positivity but there's also the side where it feels like everyone's just showing off or trying to get attention. Or like when you see someone post a picture of them feeding the homeless it can make you feel like you're not doing enough, even though you might be helping in your own way offline. And you never really know if what you see online is true. Like someone could be asking for donations because their mom is in the hospital or something, but then later you find out it was all a lie. So it's kind of hard to trust everything you see on social media, and that can make it a bit discouraging sometimes.

Dre: Yea it’s so hard to navigate through what’s real on social media or who really needs help. With all that said, what’s one piece of advice you’d give to your generation to encourage them to do good in their communities? 

Kayden: One piece of advice I'd give is to not compare yourself to others, especially on social media. It's easy to feel like we're not doing enough when we see everyone else posting about their volunteer work. But the truth is every little act of kindness counts. So instead of worrying about what everyone else is doing, focus on finding ways we can make a positive impact in our own communities, in our unique ways whether it's helping someone study for a test, supporting a friend through tryouts, or picking up random trash on the sidewalk. We all have the power to make a difference, and that's what really matters.

And so, here’s a little something for you to ponder:

1. Reflecting on Kayden's thoughts on giving back and philanthropy, how do you think the perspectives of the next generation can shape our approach to generosity and social impact?

2. Has your interaction with the younger members of your family or community influenced your current views on the generosity and community engagement? If so, how?

—you’ll notice I use the word ‘so’ quite often. you’ll also most likely notice bad grammar and the overuse of commas and punctuation in my writing—so yea