Did you know that today is National Relaxation Day?! We can’t think of a better way to celebrate than by reminding you to take a deep breath and calm your nerves before getting behind the wheel.

Lately, we’ve been looking for more ways to keep our Eyes Ride Open on the road. Fatal car crashes happen much more often in the summertime, especially amongst new drivers. Some experts have even deemed the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer.” It sounds like a horror film, but it’s real life, and it’s time to do something about it.

Our first order of business when launching Eyes Ride Open was to give our members a way to boost mental health to stay safe on the road. So far, Road to Self Care, the first stop on the Eyes Ride Open journey, has nearly 3,600 of you on board to share mental health checklists with your pals! We’re on a mission to see that number increase and we need your help. Share a mental health checklist with a friend to help them stay calm and focused on the road, and you could earn a $1,000 scholarship!

There’s more where that came from, too. Soon we’ll be launching another activity for Eyes Ride Open. Hint: How well do you know your bestie’s driving style?

Let’s Do This!

DoSomething

These DoSomething members are giving the green light to share our mental health checklist. Keeping friends and family safe is a big win!

DoSomething member Tuqa A., 18 said, "A few years back, I lost a dear friend named Alex. He was young, full of life, and just got his driver's license. One evening, he was rushing to a party, feeling excited and happy. But in his hurry, he ignored road safety and ended up in a terrible accident. I'll never forget the phone call I received that night. The news left me devastated, knowing that a moment of impatience took away someone so special. It was a harsh reminder of how accidents can happen to anyone, especially among young drivers. Since then, I've been deeply committed to spreading awareness about road safety. Let's remember Alex's story and cherish the people we love. Slow down, stay focused, and value every moment on the road. Together, we can make a difference and prevent more heartbreaking losses."

"This campaign is incredibly important to me because I have experienced the devastating loss of multiple loved ones due to preventable road incidents. Each loss has left an indelible impact on my life, and it has motivated me to take action," said Brooke M., 18, "By advocating for road safety, I hope to raise awareness and promote responsible driving behavior to prevent such tragedies from affecting other families. Through this campaign, I aim to honor the memories of those I've lost by striving to create safer roads and protect lives, one mindful driver at a time."

New (school) year, new me… Many young people are gearing up for a new school year, and these 5 teens are sharing their perspectives on navigating big changes. ♥️it!

Big wins for young people + the climate🌎... Montana judge rules in favor of a group of 16 young plaintiffs who sought to force the state to recognize how an "energy policy violated their rights to a clean and healthy environment.

Cast your vote… With Gen Z leading in the adoption of new AI technologies like ChatGPT, we’re planning a workshop at SXSW 2024 to explore how to use these technologies in safe and effective ways to support your civic journey. Vote for our session, Designing AI Solutions for Gen Z Engagement, by 8/20 so we can share our insights with the tech for social good community (sign-up required). 

Today’s heroes… are the members of a Hawai’i youth-led climate coalition who are leading the charge on a lawsuit against the state’s Department of Transportation over climate change. In light of the devastating fires on Maui, the group’s agenda is even stronger as there’s no denying the massive impact of the climate crisis on the islands. 

FastWeb

Class of 2024 Scholarships

The finish line is getting closer & closer every day. August is the perfect time to start looking into scholarships – your year’s going to be BUSY!

Fastweb has put together the ultimate list of #scholarships for the #Classof2024. High school juniors or current college student? Fastweb has scholarship lists for you, too!

CollegeXpress

Our friends at CollegeXpress are giving YOU the opportunity to earn a $1,500 scholarship, and all you have to do is answer one question!. Complete a free profile on CollegeXpress and share your response to the following: What is your favorite song to listen to for the summer?

Finding this newsletter useful? Forward today's edition to a friend and encourage them to subscribe.