Inspiring Youth to Lead with Purpose on National Make a Difference Day
Every year on the fourth Saturday in October, communities across the United States unite for National Make a Difference Day, a nationwide celebration of service and kindness. From neighborhood clean-ups to local food drives, people of all ages step forward to create meaningful change. It’s a reminder that when we work together, small actions can add up to big impact. While this day shines a spotlight on community service, it also highlights an important truth: making a difference isn’t limited to one day. It’s a mindset that can be nurtured in people young and old, giving them the tools and confidence to positively impact the world around them. Can Youth Entrepreneurship also be Community Service? One powerful and perhaps surprising way that students are making a difference is through entrepreneurship. When young people build businesses with a purpose, they aren’t just learning financial literacy and leadership, they’re practicing service, innovation, and problem-solving that directly benefits their communities. For example, BizWorld’s Impact Challenge encourages students to design businesses that generate both revenue and social good. These classroom ventures are built to donate profits to charitable causes, address local challenges, or raise awareness about issues that matter most to the students. It’s entrepreneurship, but with a heart for service. When we teach the leaders of tomorrow the importance of making a difference, they grow into adults that are focused more on impact, rather than simply profit. Student Stories: Youth Start-Ups Making a Difference Some powerful examples of service, innovation and making a difference, come straight from BizWorld’s YES! youth entrepreneurs. Take MabLab, a 2023 YES! start-up, co-founded by Skye Lam and Vienna Sparks. Their company is developing a 5-in-1 rapid drug test to detect lethal contaminants in recreational drugs, a solution designed to address a pressing public health challenge. “What sets MabLab apart is not just their innovative technology, but their commitment to addressing a critical yet often overlooked public health crisis. The founders are passionate about decreasing the danger surrounding drugs, particularly in marginalized communities that are frequently overlooked by startups and investors.” – BizWorld Staff Member Another exciting young entrepreneur change-maker is Titilope Olotu, a third-year biology student at UCLA and a Nigerian immigrant who founded PADI and its nonprofit arm, PADI for You, a company with a mission woven into its core. Her business began by addressing the lack of access to safe menstrual products back home in Nigeria, ensuring that girls and women had the sanitary care they deserve. “Healthcare is becoming more inaccessible. We wanted to provide a resource, especially for young girls, so they can understand what’s going on with their bodies, early.” – Titi MabLab and PADI are just two examples of how young entrepreneurs transform ideas into meaningful impact. Their stories remind us that with mentorship, resources, and encouragement, youth find creative ways to serve their communities. How Volunteering Multiplies Into Big Impact At its core, National Make A Difference Day is a celebration of volunteering. From helping at a food pantry to cleaning up a local park, volunteers remind us that positive change begins with everyday people choosing to give their time, energy, and care. These contributions may feel small in the moment, but together they build stronger, healthier, and more connected communities. One of the most powerful and perhaps unexpected ways to volunteer is through mentorship. Mentoring a young person doesn’t just make a difference in their life today; it gives them tools, confidence, and perspective they’ll carry into every future decision. And when that young person happens to be an entrepreneur, the ripple effect is even greater. A single piece of guidance can shape a business that impacts hundreds, even thousands, of people. “We owe it to help young minds to be steered in the right direction. So many have belief in an opportunity but may not have the resources or access, and that’s where mentors can change everything,” said Jay Allardyce, BizWorld Mentor and Board Member. “Mentorship gives them confidence, resources, and a network. Things every young person needs to keep going.” That’s what makes mentorship such a meaningful form of volunteering: it blends the personal with the global. You’re helping a young leader grow, while at the same time investing in the ideas and innovations that can uplift entire communities. Carrying the Spirit of Making a Difference, Beyond the Day National Make a Difference Day is one day on the calendar, but its message is timeless: every act of service has the power to spark change. Whether it’s a volunteer lending a hand, a mentor guiding a young entrepreneur, or a student turning an idea into a business that serves their community, these actions ripple far beyond the moment. What matters most is the spirit behind them, the belief that we each have something to contribute, and that when we do, our efforts add up to something greater than ourselves. So as we celebrate this day, let’s also carry its energy forward. Let’s keep asking, “Where can I lend my time, my knowledge, or my resources?” Because making a difference doesn’t have to be something big or extraordinary; we just have to start. Sign up to Mentor a young entrepreneur in the YES! Program and start a ripple effect that will last a lifetime. Learn more about Volunteering with BizWorld.
