Site urges teens to 'Do Something'

Non-profit group hopes input will make a difference

(CNN) -- Stand up, speak out and get involved.

That's the mantra of DoSomething.org, the Web site for the non-profit organization of the same name that aims to help young people harness the passion in their hearts and turn ideas into action.

Hundreds of schools in the United States participate in the Do Something project, which initially began its mission in 1993. Its founders include actor Andrew Shue, most recognizable for his starring role in the TV series "Melrose Place."

Other celebrity supporters include Christina Aguilera, Elizabeth Hurley, Queen Latifah, Drew Barrymore, Cindy Crawford, Shaquille O'Neal and Mike Myers.

"We wanted to make it cool and fun and interesting for young people to get involved, and we wanted to figure out what kind of programs would give them the structure to want to get involved," says Shue.

The site offers a starter's kit that gives a step-by-step guide for bringing Do Something to any school and identifying various issues to pursue. Students also have the opportunity to win a $500 grant to jump-start their project.

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Causes range from AIDS to the environment to improving schools or something even more personal. The goal is to make a difference in people's lives, and the site offers inspiring success stories from students all over the country.

"Recently I wrote a story about a young girl who was sick of walking by her school and having to walk by tons of garbage and pollution in the surrounding area, and she basically organized a whole club where they would clean up the park surrounding her school and create a garden preserving the natural space," says Annette Mpinja, intern and Web site editor.

Membership is free

Membership at DoSomething.org is free, which allows numerous people to post and share ideas and comments with other members in the "Boards" section, plus learn what others are doing and what works for them.

Actor Andrew Shue, best-known for his role in "Melrose Place," is one of the site's co-founders.

"It gives them an opportunity to engage with each other, talk about ideas and then figure out creative ways to take their ideas to the next step where they can then take action to make something happen," says Shue.

There's also a self-help section -- called an "Action Guide" -- that provides advice on many issues facing teenagers, from college planning to self-esteem problems.

Shue emphasizes that "young people have always been the inspiration in our country to move things to a better place, so [they] need that passion, that energy, that idealism that young people bring to it -- so get out there and be part of it."

In addition, DoSomething.org sponsors an annual awards ceremony where students are recognized for their achievements.

For now, the program is only targeting schools in the U.S., but organizers hopes they can eventually get young people around the world to get out and do something.