Teen Leverages Interest in Politics to Find His Voice and Help Peers Do the Same
This fall, we’re profiling several inspiring young philanthropists for our Future of Philanthropy series. At Magnified Giving, we believe that engaging youth in philanthropy helps them to develop essential soft skills like communication, teamwork, empathy, and problem-solving. We show young people the many paths to using their time, talent, and treasure to serve others, and we know that this exploration gives them the confidence and knowledge to walk those paths early and often throughout their lives.
We’re excited to share about the different paths of several youth who have participated in our program and demonstrate how they are creating a stronger future in a diverse range of social cause areas.
Nick indulges his interest in history with a visit to Fredericksburg Battlefield in Virginia. Photo credit: Michele Watts.
Nick Watts, a senior at Cincinnati Country Day School, has long enjoyed history, and he already cares deeply about local government. He even works on campaigns for fun! He says,“I like to read books about historical and political figures, and when I'm working on campaigns, I'm having fun. I don't want to work on a campaign if I'm not enjoying it.” For Nick, however, history and politics aren’t just hobbies, but they’re also tools to help make the world a better place.
While many of us turn off the news these days, choosing to tune out the discouraging barrage of concerns, Nick stays briefed on current events. “I really like reading the news and informing myself on the issues,” he says. “I am so motivated by the fact that there are so many things that I think are wrong with the country and the world, but I don't think that they are things that we can't fix collectively if we get back on the right track. I see a decline in civic engagement and that makes me worried and scared.”
Nick and his dad, Doug Watts, stay engaged in the community by campaigning for candidates for local government.
To get back on the right track, Nick is starting right in his own backyard, taking action in his city and school. In addition to modeling the way by working campaigns for candidates he supports and staying informed on local and national issues, Nick is helping educate and inspire his peers to use their voices in government too. Taking advantage of an annual week-long program at Cincinnati Country Day called CCDX Week, Nick made a case to his peers to get involved. He describes,”We basically break off into little groups and do things that are totally unrelated to school. I led a group on local and Ohio politics and government. I feel so strongly that people just need to re-engage with the issues and with making their voice heard, and with electing people who really have their best interests at heart. I brought in politicians to speak to my group and tell people your vote matters.”
Personally, Nick cares about increasing voter turnout and improving collaboration across party lines. He feels like empowering youth to speak out is key to making improvements. He says, “There is hope for young people to stand up and say we just want to solve common sense, everyday problems. I hope I will be one of those people who builds that coalition of people who are able to say, you know, enough is enough. We just want to get back to an age where we can work with each other, regardless of political party, and be engaged in politics and voting and everything.”
Like Magnified Giving, Nick believes that empowering young people is key to making positive change in a wide variety of social cause areas. He was excited to have a unique opportunity to work with a board of peers to make a positive impact in his community through the Magnified Giving program at his school. Nick volunteered to join a group of his classmates in a collaborative process to select nonprofit recipients for two grants provided by Magnified Giving. Given Nick’s interest in history, it’s not surprising that his first thought was to advocate for the funds to support the still unfinished World War I Memorial in Washington D.C., a cause that he has personally donated to and advocated for. When his teacher encouraged him to consider local causes, he had a special opportunity for reflection that led him to a realization of the many important causes in need of support right here in Cincinnati. He says, “It’s important, stopping to think a little bit about what I think would be deserving of the money. It's hard, it's a hard choice because so many places are so deserving of the money, and having to think about that made me realize that there are so many charities out there that probably need help and support.”
In light of this introspection, and with the encouragement to consider the wide range of social causes at play in our community, Nick reflected on his own personal experiences for inspiration. He chose to advocate on behalf of Little Sisters of the Poor, a Cincinnati-based home that provides care to the neediest elderly in our community. Nick was familiar with Little Sisters of the Poor because his great grandmother’s sister stayed there. From his family’s experience caring for an elderly loved one in need, Nick understands just how important the mission of Little Sisters of the Poor is for the elderly and their families. He says, “It's an invaluable service to the families of the people that go there and that need them to provide those services. It's just so incredible and exceptional. These people really are very deserving of the grant by Magnified Giving.”
Nick shared his personal experience with his classmates who composed the board responsible for selecting a grant recipient, and he was able to compel his peers to choose Little Sisters of the Poor. “I was really excited and glad that I was the one who suggested that and made it possible and made the connection,” he describes. “It just felt really good, knowing that I helped make that difference and was able to help Little Sisters of the Poor like that.”
Nick presented during the Magnified Giving virtual Giving Ceremony, alongside CCD teacher Ms. Laura Gunn, Angela Steward, a representative for Little Sisters of the Poor, and Bonnie Collins, who represents another nonprofit grant recipient, Live Like Maya.
Nick attended a virtual Giving Ceremony hosted by Magnified Giving, where he had the opportunity to present the grant to Little Sisters of the Poor and explain to the audience why he felt this work was worthy of the grant. The Magnified Giving team was impressed by his eloquence and professionalism, and he encouraged those in attendance to remember the needs of the elderly. During the Giving Ceremony, Nick had the opportunity to hear from other youth about the causes they chose to support and learn how the various nonprofit recipients would use the grant funding. Reflecting on the experience, he says, “On that meeting, I thought to myself that I was just so glad that I engaged myself with the program and put my idea out there, and then to have my idea be the charity that received the money really lifted up my day and my mood. That just makes it that much more important that you guys do what you do, which is helping to support those charities.”
Nick also enjoys volunteering with his family. He is pictured here with his brother (middle), Joey Watts, and father (right), Doug Watts, during a turkey delivery on Thanksgiving Day. Photo credits: Michele Watts.
It feels good to give! In addition to the joy of supporting an important cause, Nick’s experience in Magnified Giving provided him a practical opportunity to advocate for a cause and have serious discussions with his peers about issues that matter. For someone so passionate about ensuring the voices of youth are heard, it was a meaningful experience.
There are so many paths to being a philanthropist, and Nick looks forward to utilizing his unique gifts and interests to serve others. When asked how he sees himself being a philanthropist in the future, he replied, “I think about that a lot. I want to become knowledgeable about our political process and become knowledgeable about our history so that I can go out into those spheres in whatever capacity that is, maybe that even means I run for office. I want to continue to teach my peers about the importance of local government and the importance of being engaged. That would definitely be a way that I would want to help people in the future.”
Thank you, Nick, for making a positive impact in our community through your support of civic engagement and the elderly! Through their own unique journeys, youth are developing a strong future for a wide variety of social cause areas, just as Nick is contributing to a future where each person uses their voice to make a difference through civic engagement. Stay tuned for more additions to our Future of Philanthropy series!