Students Can Use Social Media to Make a Difference & Grow as Leaders

For local high school student, Sparsh, finding ways to make a difference is important.

He has found an opportunity to do just that in joining Wedgwood Christian Services’ student leadership group, Teen CHARGE.

Teen CHARGE, which stands for Teens Choosing Action Reaching a Generation, is a Student Leadership Group for middle school and high school students in Greater Grand Rapids area, promoting positive messaging surrounding well-being, specifically in the areas of mental health, healthy relationships, and substance use.

Members of Teen CHARGE, or Brand Reps, collectively decide each season which topics matter the most to them – like friendships, making healthy decisions, mental health, and social media. Using their creativity and passions, students create a variety of content to share with their peers. Students create graphics and videos to share on the Teen CHARGE social media, write blogs for the Teen CHARGE website, craft presentations for community groups, and even participate in media interviews to share positive messaging.

“I really love the fact that I’m not limited to what I can and cannot create for Teen CHARGE and all the cool press stuff we get to do, like the Maranda interviews,” said Sparsh, who is finishing up his sophomore year at a local high school.

Brand Reps have the opportunity to be a part of a Teen Panel for Wedgwood’s State of the Child Panel Conversation and share their candid insights into what teens today are facing, and media interview such as segments on vaping, and participating in Maranda’s Beautiful U event.

“We have a really excellent group of students, and they’ve been able to do lot of awesome projects this season,” said Gina Boscarino, Teen CHARGE Advisor and Group Specialist on Wedgwood’s Positive Youth Development Team.

Wedgwood’s Teen CHARGE is accepting applications for Summer Brand Reps now, and is open to students age 12-18 in the greater Grand Rapids area who can commit to two meetings a month and are interested in developing leadership skills to make an impact in their communities. The application, due June 4, and more information can be found at www.teencharge.org/brand-reps. Virtual interviews will take place the week of June 6.

“Teen CHARGE gives students a unique opportunity to not only recognize their individual talents, but to also feel empowered to use them to drive positive change and make a difference within their friend groups, schools, and community,” said Boscarino. “We’ve seen confidence levels and leadership skills really blossom in kids. This group allows us to show them that they do have the power to use their voice and abilities to be leaders and make a difference.”

Boscarino notes that this group offers a lot of benefits for students, including: raising awareness about issues that are important to them, providing valuable insight into what teens in West Michigan are dealing with, earning volunteer hours serving within the community, an outlet for creativity and a platform to have work shared – like the Teen CHARGE Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube Channel, and website, and meeting teens from schools all around Kent County.

“Those things are really good for college apps and are an easy way to get your name out there in the world,” added Sparsh.

 

 

Wedgwood’s Teen CHARGE is a donor-funded Positive Youth Development Program provided by Wedgwood Christian Services. This Student Leadership Group for middle school and high school students in Greater Grand Rapids area gives teens a platform to share positive messaging surrounding well-being, specifically in the areas of mental health, healthy relationships, and substance use. Brand Reps for Wedgwood’s Teen CHARGE have the opportunity to be influencers – strategizing messaging and creating content to be shared through social media, blogs, videos, and public speaking presentations. www.teencharge.org  

Since 1960, Wedgwood Christian Services has been dedicated to supporting kids and families as they navigate mental and behavioral health challenges through Residential Care, Counseling Services, and Community Programs. Wedgwood’s goal is to empower and help restore the physical, social, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual well-being of children, adults, and families in our community. www.wedgwood.org