Often, we may think that our children are too preoccupied with the latest technology, toys and clothing to pay attention to what is happening in the communities around them. But that isn’t always the case.

Take for instance 16-year-old Vivian Obia. She’s the high school student here in Detroit who started a movement of creating “blessing bags” for the city’s homeless. Vivian and several other teens from area churches stuff large Ziploc-type bags with items such as a small bottle of water, snacks, toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, toiletries, and a scripture or inspirational quote. The bags are distributed through local Catholic parishes.

Twelve-year-old Robby Eimers is another example of a child who does not take his blessings for granted. Every weekend, the Michigan boy and his grandmother gather clothing, toiletries, backpacks, and food to take to the homeless in Detroit. Robby pays for many of the items himself, but his efforts have gotten a lot of attention and donations are flooding in from individuals and companies.

These are the kinds of stories I like to hear. Children and teens are being moved to action by what they see every day on the streets of urban America. Here at the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM), I am always pleased to see entire families volunteer to serve our homeless clients or renovate our shelter facilities. It’s an important lesson for our children — a lesson about humility and selflessness.

Blessed are the children who are making a difference in this world!