Country of Residence

United States

Age

15

Project title

Let's All Adopt-a-Spot

Project Summary: Describe your project in one sentence

I will lead a team of young people to promote "Adopt-a-Spot" or "Adopt-a-Road" programs in the Atlanta metropolitan area, aiming to boost public engagement and contribute to creating a clean and beautiful community environment.

Website URL(s) or social media handles.

Project Category

My project is a brand new / emerging idea

Project Stage

Pilot-Stage (We’ve tried an activity or two)

Founding Story: What was the spark that led you to start your project? What was the "Aha!" moment that led you to get started and see the potential for this to succeed?

I often take a walk with my parents around the neighborhood when the weather is good. Most of the time it is enjoyable and relaxing except when I see some trash along the roadside, bottles, cans, candy wraps, cigarette butts, takeout boxes, old tennis shoes etc. I don’t understand why people leave them on the road. It really bothers me until one day an idea comes to my mind: we’ll collect the garbage while walking! This idea brightened everyone’s mind, and we soon learned that we could join the Adopt-a-Spot program and officially be responsible for cleaning the road outside our neighborhood. So we did – the Lin family adopted the Cave Road in Atlanta. Now I want to spread the words and let more people know that they can do the same.

The Problem: What problem are you helping to solve? Why does it matter to you and your community?

I am making the community cleaner and more enjoyable by removing the trash along roadside, because it is important to everyone who lives here.

Your Solution: How are you solving this problem? Share your specific solution.

I see garbage along the roadside, and my solution is simple: don’t wait, clean them with our own hands. Join the Adopt-a-Spot or Adopt-a-Road program and make it a habit. It is more sustainable when it becomes a monthly activity within a system.

Impact: How has your project created impact / made a difference so far? Or, if at an early stage, what will impact look like?

The impact is obvious: now Cave Road is much cleaner! The difference may not be huge but everyone in our neighborhood noticed it because they all said “thank you” to me. Now if more people join this effort, more roads will be cleaned up.

Your Innovation: What is different about your project compared to other programs or solutions already out there? How is your project new or innovative?

I see people organize cleanup events, at school or by subway station, on Earth Day or after trick-or-treat (where candy wraps are everywhere). These are all good efforts, but mine has broader impact by engaging more families in a monthly activity by joining Adopt-a-Spot. The result is long lasting and in bigger area.

How many people are on your team?

20

Your team: What role(s) do your team members play? How do you share leadership with them?

I will organize a youth team of friends and classmates to advocate for this idea: Let’s all Adopt-a-Spot! A lot of people don’t know this program or don’t know how to join it, we’ll act as the messenger, the teacher, the cheerleader, to tell them how it works and encourage them to join. I’ll tell them that in this community engaged program, everyone can be a leader and everyone can make a difference.

What’s Next: What are the next steps you plan to take to grow or strengthen your project over the next year? If your project is still in the idea stage, describe the steps you will take over the next three months to launch or begin developing it.

I will brainstorm with my team and come up with ideas on how to approach people and spread the words. I was once a Girl Scout who sold dozens of cookies every year, so I know that we can knock on my neighbors and friends’ door; we can give away fliers in school; we can also set up tables at community events such as farmer’s market. We probably need to raise some funds first to pay for printing and booth fees too.

How do you encourage other people to join your project or learn about the problem you’re working on? If you have a new idea, tell us how you will do this in the future.

Littering is an obvious issue that everyone can see. I think my main job is to motivate people to act. It is important to convey the idea that if everyone does his or her share, together we can make a real difference. I will introduce the Adopt-a-Spot program to people and show them how to join it; I will also let them know it is simple and it adds more fun to a leisure walk. People are more willing to give it a try when knowing it’s an important cause and it’s easy to start.