“Anyone can be great... because anyone can serve. You do not need to have a college degree to serve. You just need a heart full of grace. A soul motivated by love.”― Martin Luther King Jr. Spend time volunteering at the many nonprofit organizations, homeless shelters, support centers, philanthropic fundraisers, local schools, and inner-city child care facilities is not always at the forefront of people's young minds as they navigate through their college experiences. But, with a little push from student organizations, local nonprofits, and passionate individuals, volunteerism and community change can begin to take center stage and become not just an opportunity, but a priority in the lives of young people. Volunteering, civic engagement and advocacy is the driving force to create change and have a positive impact in your community and society at large. While gaining internship and work experience can lead to community impact and social change, it is important for us to remember that before we begin advocating for change and informing others about the issues we care about, we must fully understand the complexity and depth of the social reality, environmental or economic issue that we are passionate about. Not only must we understand the "issue" or "social problem" that many people face and are affected by every day, but we must meet and work alongside those whose daily realities are shaped by injustices, without creating divisions or barriers in the process. Every day people are affected by the issues that organizations fight for or against, and once we realize how things like advocacy, outreach and service are people-centered, I believe young people will realize their invitation to action and their powerful... middle of paper ......local non-profit organizations have the potential to broaden their reach towards universities and young people in general, combining passions and skills . You as organizations must intentionally identify for us why promoting service and civic engagement is not only important, but necessary if we are to improve our lives, the lives of others, and the dilemmas and misfortunes our world faces every day. and nonprofits can be the beginning of meaningful change in our community and should be a powerful, mutual educational experience. An open and encouraging flow of communication between organizations and community members can be the springboard for the social and environmental change that organizations talk about and pursue every day. Together we can make change happen: not just a semblance of idealism, but reality.