Youth as present-day contributors — not just future leaders
By Jahkil Jackson, Founder of Project I Am
When I first started serving my community as a kid, I didn’t think about legacy, I just wanted to help. What I didn’t realize then is that every act of service, no matter how small, is a seed planted for our collective future. Youth engagement isn’t something that happens later in life. It is happening now and young people aren’t just the leaders of tomorrow, they are leaders of today.
There’s a narrative that youth are inexperienced or waiting their turn. But I’ve seen firsthand how young people bring fresh energy, innovation, hope, and courage into spaces that desperately need it. When youth rally for justice, organize service events, and raise their voices for change, they don’t wait for permission, they create solutions.
Youth Engagement by the Numbers
Young people are already stepping up in meaningful ways and research shows just how powerful their contributions are.
Youth Are Active in Their Communities
- 75% of young people report helping someone in need, whether through volunteerism or simple acts of kindness.
- 66% have talked with friends and neighbors about issues that matter to them, a foundational step in building civic awareness.
- Formal volunteering remains strong in the U.S., with millions of Americans dedicating billions of hours each year to community service, including thousands of youth.
Service Builds Opportunity
Research also highlights benefits beyond community impact:
- Youth who engage in structured community service show higher odds of future employment and academic success.
- Teen volunteers behave differently in positive ways: they are less likely to misuse substances and more likely to stay connected to their community later in life.
- Millions of young leaders nationwide now run their own service initiatives that directly impact tens of thousands of people, proving that youth aren’t spectators, they’re problem-solvers.
Youth Voice is Civic Power
Beyond service, youth are shaping civic life:
- A significant share of young adults sign petitions, boycott products for causes they believe in, and advocate public policy that reflects their values.
Why This Matters Today, Not Tomorrow
Youth engagement isn’t just beneficial, it’s essential. When young people participate in service and civic life:
- Communities become stronger and more resilient. Young volunteers fill gaps where resources are limited and bring people together around shared goals.
- Youth gain agency, confidence, and purpose. The world needs young voices that know how to lead, collaborate, and act with empathy.
- Legacy isn’t built in isolation, it’s built in action. What we do today sends a ripple effect into tomorrow.
When I look at the next generation, I don’t see people waiting for permission to lead, I see changemakers already doing it. I see youth teaching older generations about equity, compassion, and resilience. I see legacy being written in real time.
At Project I Am, we don’t wait for change, we cultivate it. Youth engagement matters because young leaders aren’t the future of community, they are its heart now.
