How Youth Service Can Counter Loneliness | Every Child Thrives Festival

How can youth volunteerism counter loneliness and build stronger communities? Shreyaa Venkat explores how giving back and volunteering can create stronger social connections and empower youth to make meaningful community change. Venkat, CEO and founder of Nest4Us, shares a vision for a future in which young people have opportunities to volunteer, connect with others and contribute to their communities. Her perspective asks us to imagine what could change if youth were recognized not simply as people affected by community challenges, but as people with the ability to help address them. This lightning talk was part of “Imagine if We Got It Right,” a session at the inaugural Every Child Thrives Festival, held June 23 to 25, 2026, at the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. Hosted by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the three-day festival brought together youth, families, educators, community advocates and artists to reimagine the future of education and community, elevate youth leadership and turn ideas into action. “Imagine if We Got It Right” invited speakers to fast-forward 10 years and envision a future in which something has fundamentally shifted so children can truly thrive. Drawing from lived experience and professional insight, speakers shared ideas about what that future could look like and what it might take to make it possible. What role could volunteerism and community connection play in addressing loneliness among young people? Share your perspective in the comments. #YouthService #YouthLeadership #Community #EveryChildThrives #EveryChildThrivesFestival Learn more about the W.K. Kellogg Foundation: Every Child Thrives: https://everychildthrives.com/ Homepage: https://www.wkkf.org/home LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/kelloggfoundation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelloggfoun... Facebook:   / kelloggfoundation   For more Every Child Thrives content on YouTube, check out our playlist:    • Every Child Thrives - EveryChildThrives.com