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Hey y’all, I hope you’re safe and well and giving yourself lots of patience and kindness and love today.

As always, WYD is showcasing and celebrating the incredible impact members like you are making. If you’re looking for inspiring and empowering content for Women’s History Month, head over to our newly revamped (and completely stellar) Instagram. And if you’re looking for headlines (and ways to impact them) like updates on the Derek Chauvin trial, subscribe to The Breakdown, our weekly current events newsletter. (And if this week’s news is triggering to you, check out these quick tips.)

Read on to learn how the DoSomething community is looking out for vulnerable populations, tackling hunger, and fighting period poverty.

Let’s Do This,

Ben, Editor-in-chief

Masks for All: How the DoSomething Community Is Helping Vulnerable Communities Stay Safe During COVID-19

“My dad’s a truck driver so he obviously can't work from home like a lot of people,” says DoSomething member Misheel, 18. “I began making the masks with him in mind and wanting to make sure that he was protected somehow, but then I was quickly able to see my own privilege and how lucky I am to have a roof over my head and a place to quarantine.”

That’s when Misheel began making DIY masks to benefit a San Diego-based nonprofit called Think Dignity, which benefits folks facing housing insecurity. She donated over 70 masks in total.

Face masks are some of the most-requested items by homeless shelters, addiction centers, family and women centers, and food banks. So DoSomething members have made over 63,794 masks since the beginning of the pandemic. Check out some of our favorite masks, and use our step-by-step guide to make your own (no sewing required).

COVID-19 has exacerbated the issue of food insecurity in the US, which has hit Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and immigrant households the hardest. That’s why DoSomething members Cory, Alysa, and Jaheem collected and donated over 800 food items to those in need. Learn how you can join our community and Tackle Hunger too.

This week in Pets of DoSomething… Yassna’s dog, Abigail’s dog, and Julianna’s pugs (which are also dogs)!

These young Black Americans… are making history now, including Alexis Williams, who gave us a shoutout for our shoutout!

You can earn mental health scholarships… through our friends at Letters to Strangers. (Psst...mention DoSomething in your application for an extra chance to win!)

This week in Black joy… Renee Montgomery became the first former WNBA player to become both owner and executive of a WNBA team, and the internet’s favorite thing is this grandma’s 90th birthday photo shoot.

More Amazing Impact From the DoSomething Community!

We asked you to brag about the amazing stuff you’re doing, and you did not disappoint. Here are some of our favorite answers from the DoSomething community. (Psst...submit yours here!)

“In our school community, we recently hosted a DEI book club event focussed around ‘Chasing Freedom’ a novel by Gloria Ann Wesley. Throughout our two meetings, we raised awareness for the lesser known aspects of Canada's Black History.”

- DoSomething member Ritika, 14, Canada

“I decided to finally take a step towards leadership in my school by starting a kindness-spreading project called ‘anonymous note passing.’”

- DoSomething member Cara, 17, New York

“I am dog walking in my community to raise money for the Brandywine SPCA to help hundreds of animals being brought to the shelters from the Southern states.”

- DoSomething member Ishita, 15, Pennsylvania

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