The Changemaker Mindset: How Teens Can Lead Real-World Change

You don’t have to be an adult to create meaningful change. At Boys & Girls Clubs, young people are taking positive action, here and now. In fact, 75% of Club Kids believe they can make a difference in their community compared to 44% of their high school peers nationwide.¹

Through the Think, Learn, Create Change (TLC) model, Club Kids receive mentorship and resources to lead local advocacy projects, fostering community change. TLC is made possible by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) partners like Dollar Tree, championing the next generation of community changemakers.

Each year, we invite hundreds of TLC teens to Washington, D.C. to engage directly with U.S. Congress members at BGCA’s Summit for America’s Youth. We asked teens who attended in 2025 what they learned about getting into the changemaker mindset.

Here are three takeaways for youth wanting to make a difference where they live!

Practice Public Speaking for a Purpose

At the Summit for America’s Youth, teens gain experience advocating for causes they care about to large audiences. During the Changemaker Challenge, sponsored by Dollar Tree, youth present their community change projects to an audience and judges’ panel, with the winning Club project receiving a grant prize.

This year, teens from Clubs across the U.S. presented their advocacy projects, from addressing youth mental health to arts education. Boys & Girls Clubs of Newark took home first place for their podcast raising awareness about mass incarceration in their community.

“I’m happy that our message about mass incarceration was spread,” said Precious, a member of Boys & Girls Clubs of Newark. “When you’re talking about things you care about and that you’re passionate about, it flows naturally.”

Learn From Other Advocates

Being a changemaker involves connecting with other teen advocates. During the Summit for America’s Youth advocacy fair, teens not only presented their own advocacy projects, but also heard about the positive change led by their peers in other communities.

This year, David and teens from Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northern Indiana Corridor presented their “Unmute Your Mind” project, providing a space for young people in their community to share their mental health challenges and learn coping strategies.

“Coming to the Summit for America’s Youth, I’ve been able to hear from all these teen trailblazers who made a way in their community,” said David. “It’s really inspired me to go back home and continue to encourage others in my community.”

Speak Up to Leaders & Policymakers

Being a changemaker isn’t just about leadership; it’s about making sure your message reaches the right people. By sharing their advocacy projects with their Members of Congress, teens at the Summit for America’s Youth brought the issues they care about directly to leaders with the power to create lasting change.

This year, teens from Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota & DeSoto Counties shared their advocacy project, Garden for Good, in meetings on Capitol Hill to showcase their work to fight food insecurity locally.

“Because of this opportunity, our voices were heard in a productive way,” says Lauren, a member of Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota & DeSoto Counties. “It’s important for people to see that we are well-educated on the issues that matter to us. That way, our knowledge can be reflected in their policies and make a real impact on our community.”

A New Generation of Community Leadership

At Boys & Girls Clubs, youth are learning how their voices can shape policies and solutions that create a brighter future for us all. This is what leadership in action looks like.

America needs young people who are ready to lead and propel our country forward. With support from partners like Dollar Tree, Club Kids nationwide are stepping up, turning their passions into a force for good today and tomorrow.

Dollar Tree and Boys & Girls Clubs of America partner to empower Club Kids to create positive change in their communities by giving them the resources, opportunities and support to become the next generation of leaders and changemakers. This support allows Club Kids to participate in the Think, Learn, Create Change (TLC) model, empowering them to act on critical issues and become changemakers in their communities. With Dollar Tree’s support, Club Kids and their advisors also have the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., to present their advocacy projects to their peers while participating in BGCA’s Summit for America’s Youth.

Sources
¹ National Youth Outcomes Initiatives (2025), Boys & Girls Clubs of America; Youth Civic Empowerment Report (2023-2024), YouthTruth