Become an advocate for change. Here are some of the steps you can take to begin to narrow the opportunity gap in your community:

1. Let community leaders know the issues that are important to you. Here are places to start: 

• The City Council and/or Board of Supervisors 
• Superintendent of Schools
• Board of Education
• The Mayor’s Office
• The education reporter at your local newspaper, radio or television news station. 
• The principal of your child’s school
• The PTA
• Your local United Way or Community Foundation

2. Become a volunteer

• Check out your city’s website. Many list organizations that need volunteers.
• If you already know of an organization where you’d like to volunteer, sign up!
• Check out local non-profits that work to better the lives of children and families. 
• Young people need mentors. If you have a skill you can share, great. If not, just being in their lives as a constant adult can make a difference. 

3. Go on-line and find out what organizations in your area are designed to help young people in: 

• Foster care
• Homeless Shelters
• Tutoring
• Mentoring
• After school activities: the arts & sports
• Juvenile justice
• Food insecurity

4. Become a Community Organizer

• Get together with parents and students in your neighborhood to talk about the issues
• Discuss ways you might start finding solutions to those issues

5. Create E-Networks: Reach out to people in other communities who have similar issues. Find out what they are doing and how you can support each other’s goals.