Making a Difference in Your Own Neighborhood
Geneva Johnson, 17
New York
Geneva Johnson with Sen. Hilary Clinton
My name is Geneva Johnson. I'm 17 years old and I've lived in the Bronx, New York all of my life. As a child, I was witness to many acts of senseless violence,
including the murder of a man in his car right outside my apartment window. By the time I reached high school, I realized that it wasn't getting better. There
were no real opportunities for youth involvement in my community because of all the limitations of a violent neighborhood. I decided to take things into my own
hands and attend a community board meeting in order to gain awareness and insight into this problem. I became a panelist with a program called "All About Me"
based in Manhattan, and decided to replicate* that program for youth in the Bronx.
Two years ago, with the help of five peer directors, I began "Bring It On," a non-profit organization that inspires leadership and community awareness amongst
teenagers, giving my peers an opportunity to create positive change and build great self-esteem. "Bring It On" organizes groups of around fifty teenagers to
hold clean-ups in the Bronx River every summer in order to build up floundering plant life. Our clean-ups are aimed at bringing fresh air back into our community.
Along with the clean-ups, I've also started two other programs called "You Go Girl Go" and "Boys 411" in which a table of panelists ranging in all ages and races
respond to the obstacles of 13-21 year olds, discussing issues of teen pregnancy, gang violence, self-esteem, depression, and any thing else that might come up.
One of "You Go Girl Go" community panels
This past spring, I received the "Prudential Spirit of Community Award
in honor of my efforts to inspire teens to be active, spirited members of their communities. I'm entering Binghamton University this fall, and I plan on
majoring in biology in order to become a pediatric neurologist* one day. Through my experiences, I realize that we are the change we wish to see in the
world, and I am living proof that teens have the power to be civic-minded and active in the betterment of their communities. I know now that anyone can
make a difference as long as they take a stand and speak up for what they believe in!
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The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards
honor young people in middle level
and high school grades for outstanding volunteer service to their communities. Created in 1995 by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National
Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the awards program is the largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteering in the U.S.
Prudential Financial has honored more than 70,000 young volunteers at the local, state, and national level in the past 11 years.
Are you a teen activist or do you know any teen activists? Contact
Teen Voices and share your story.
Don't Just Imagine
Marina Tharathattel, 16,
New York
Suppose everything
you dreamed of
came true.
Just suppose
for a split second
that you can have
things your way,
The right way.
Just suppose
you had the power
to change
places and
conflicts,
the power to make
a difference.
Now,
don't just suppose
anymore.
Take action!
Past Activists
of the Month
November 2005:
Stephanie Nyombaire
December 2005:
Kaley Rosinski
January 2006:
Kyla Carpenter & Erika Chase
March 2006:
Shelby Knox
April 2006:
Cisnell Baez & Ashley Cotton
May 2006:
Makalay Tarawally
June 2006:
Becky Marks
July 2006:
Geneva Johnson
August 2006:
Rachel Powell
September 2006:
Liz Funk
October 2006:
May Lan Dong
November 2006:
Karoline Evin McMullen
December 2006:
Maggie Astor
January 2007:
E. Jane Handel
February 2007:
Ana Slavin
March 2007:
Shaina Patel
April 2007:
Amity Paye
May 2007:
Evelyn Eng-Nol
June 2007:
Ava Lowery
July 2007:
Chela Élan Counts
August 2007:
Alexandra Pates
September 2007:
Alexandra Abend
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