Wye River Upper School students are naturally empathetic. They join our community with individual stories about how their learning differences have affected their educational experience. Their stories are what unite them and make them compassionate towards one another. These characteristics - empathy and compassion - serve as a tool when building relationships in school, career, and life. We believe these attributes also build the framework for philanthropy in young adults.
Promoting a culture of philanthropy with teens early on can help them develop a deeper sense of selflessness and leadership.
Today, young adults are much more likely to become involved with helping others when they are given a choice in identifying their interests and passions and when choosing how to volunteer or give to an organization. When your child feels in control of how they volunteer or contribute, it develops a sense of pride and ownership in their philanthropic giving. Developmentally, teens are in a stage where their thinking is far more complex. Their capacity for caring, philanthropic participation, and advocacy is deeper than ever before. We empower our students to make their own choices about how they give their time, talent, and treasure and encourage them to establish a life-long pattern of giving.
Philanthropic behaviors are often learned at school - and at home.
Wye River encourages a culture of philanthropy by requiring volunteer hours for graduation. Volunteerism at school plays a significant role in building a kind character, but engaging your child in family giving can be even more impactful. This holiday season, we encourage you to create new family rituals and traditions to give to those less fortunate. Involving your children in your charitable decisions and actions will give them the desire and skills needed to extend your family’s commitment to being charitable and giving back. Students will also find more enjoyment in giving if they can collaborate with their peers or spend time with friends while volunteering.
We all want to raise our children to be kind, generous, and active community members.
Involving children early and building a culture of philanthropy as a family will not only build these characteristics but also will leave your student and yourself feeling grateful, empowered, and fulfilled.
We hope in this season of giving, your whole family feels the warmth that follows acts of kindness and giving back.
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