In 2006, Danielle Gram, then 16, began Kids for Peace, an award-winning non-profit organization that promotes peace and encourages young people to make a difference in the world.
She headed up the organization to encourage youth to get involved with their communities and environment, to become leaders and to lend a helping hand wherever they could.
Kids for Peace has expanded to 100 chapters spread across six continents in just four years. Danielle recently won the 2010 World of Children Award for her phenomenal work, and we chatted with her about her desire to make a difference and the incredible organization she runs.
GL: How old were you when you realized you wanted to make a difference in the
world?
Danielle: I grew up with parents who encouraged my brother and me to dream big and work toward our goals. From a very young age, I knew I loved helping others—my teachers, my peers and patients in hospitals.
I always knew that doing nice things for others was an easy way to make the world a better place. No matter how young, everyone can do something, even if it is a small thing that brightens someone's day.
GL: How can other people get involved with this mission?
Any child can be a part of peace-building, regardless of their official participation in Kids for Peace, and can join in great events like The Great Kindness Challenge that help make the world a better place.
If you're interested in doing Kids for Peace activities, you can join a chapter near you or gather your friends together to start your own chapter. Just visit our website for more information: www.kidsforpeaceglobal.org.
GL: How did you initially get Kids for Peace off of the ground?
I started the organization with an adult partner, and we made posters to advertise the group in local elementary schools. The organization started small, with about 15 neighborhood kids gathered in a backyard, but within three years, we had over 50 chapters all over the world. Today, there are nearly 100 chapters on six continents.
GL: What is your main goal for Kids for Peace?
The goal of Kids for Peace is to empower children to create the changes they want to see in the world. We provide programs and activities that help, and then we encourage kids to lead the way.
GL: Do you have any advice for young girls looking to make a change?
Start close to home. Look around your home, your classroom and your community, and take notice of things you think could be done better. Write down your ideas, and then talk to people about them. Share your vision of change with others so that they can support you. This team can help you meet your goal. Then, go out and make it happen! The world will be a better place with you taking action to make a difference.