Our Mission
The mission of Spark the Wave is to encourage and empower youth through educational opportunities and programs to take the lead in meeting the needs of their community through service. Put simply: We want to empower teens to be better volunteers!
"We endeavor to better serve all the diverse groups of people who live in the geographic area touched by Spark the Wave. We will work to integrate as many of these different people as possible into the Spark the Wave experience.”
Get Involved
If you like the work we are doing, we could really use your support to reach our goal of serving over 300 teens this year. Here are the 3 ways that you can make a difference through SPARK THE WAVE.
Consider volunteering to help us with one of our programs or with the administration of our organization. (Visit our website to get more info about volunteering in your area)
Consider making an "In-Kind" donation to STW. What is an "In-Kind" donation? That is when you generously share some goods or services that we need to reach our goal. (Visit the "To Donate" link on our website.)
Consider making a monetary donation to STW. (Visit the links on our website)
is a non-profit organization that builds on young people's passion for volunteerism, and ignites that commitment by training and empowering teens to be better volunteers.
How are we goin to do so?
Through after-school seminars and a 5-day overnight experience called WAVE WEEK, we help junior and senior high school students develop their skills and harness the power they have inside to make a difference. Our hands-on, fun lessons & activities increase teens' ability to be volunteer members and leaders that make a greater impact through their service.
What will you learn?
communicating more effectively
diversity awareness
taking the lead in a group
speaking to get people to listen
getting a group to work more efficiently
how to increase the impact that you, and your group, can make in the community.
motivating team members
how to plan a great volunteer event
personality strengths and weaknesses and how to improve on both the confidence to know that teens CAN and DO make a difference
Our Impact
Sixty percent of young people report participating in volunteer activities. Not only does society benefit from their service, but those involved in community service report higher levels of personal confidence and satisfaction from the experience. And keeping teens involved in meaningful activities also reduces the likelihood of risky behaviors.
Unfortunately, few youth receive any specialized training that could improve their ability to make a greater impact in the community. While many non-profits and charities welcome free help, they are in particular need of skilled volunteer support. That is the gap our programs look to fill.
"I learned so much that will help me become a better person for myself, others and my community." Paul, 16
"It has given me the skills to be a better leader, student, friend and person." Kiana, 14
"Before the camp, I never really knew how I could help the people I see around me everyday. Now, because of the camp, I know how." Rosa, 15
Volunteer!
SPARK THE WAVE is always looking for energetic, fun-loving volunteers who want to make a difference in the life of a young person and their community. We have many options open in all three of our regions including:
Help with fundraising
Help with finance and bookkeeping
Help with program (WAVE WEEK and Seminars) implementation, training and teaching
Help as a Contact Person and find us the teens we wish to serve
Help with marketing, advertising, and getting out the news of our organization
Help on our Regional Board
And much, much more.
You can also review the SPARK THE WAVE website's Wish List for more ideas of how you can help or simply contact one of our Regional Directors (see below). They would love to chat with you about ways that together we can build this organization.
![](slide.com/p1/504403158267754001/be_t001_v000_a000_f00/images/xslide1.gif"){kind=link}