The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com
Lisa Liberatore is an entrepreneur from Brewer and the co-founder of D-Max Merch.
At a time when one in five children in Maine faces hunger, and families everywhere are stretched thin, a surprising truth is emerging: some of the most effective leaders in our communities aren’t adults, they’re kids.
If you need proof, look to Brewer, where my 13-year-old son, Dorian “D-Max” Pillsbury, has spent the past six years raising money for food pantries, youth sports, and families in crisis. What began as a simple lemonade stand evolved into apple cider pop-ups, snack fundraisers, and community partnerships with local businesses. By middle school, he had already raised thousands of dollars to help families in his own neighborhood.
But this is much bigger than one child’s story. It is a case study in what happens when a young person feels empowered to act, and when a community responds with belief instead of doubt.
Adults often say children are “the leaders of tomorrow.” But in my experience, kids are not waiting for tomorrow. They are leading today. And often, they’re doing it with a clarity, sincerity, and courage that inspires adults to mobilize in ways they haven’t in years.
When kids see a problem like hunger, they don’t get lost in policy debates or overwhelm. They see something wrong — and want to make it right. When Dorian learned that families in our area were struggling to keep food on the table, he didn’t ask whether he had the credentials or influence to help. He asked where he could set up a hot cocoa stand.
And here’s the remarkable part: people showed up. Neighbors donated. Businesses partnered. Community members shared his posts. They believed in the sincerity behind his effort. That belief became fuel. And with each fundraiser, the ripple effects grew.
This has taught me something profound:
Kids lead with heart. Adults lead with strategy. Communities thrive when we make room for both.
I’ve seen this not only as a parent, but as an educator. In my years teaching at the Maine Business School, I watched students achieve extraordinary results when they were given permission to think creatively, act decisively, and pursue solutions that mattered to them personally. The same principles apply to children: when young people are trusted with real responsibility, they rise to it. Every single time. It works.
And here’s why this matters to all of us: communities with engaged kids are statistically safer, more connected, and more resilient. When young people feel a sense of agency, the entire town benefits — schools strengthen, volunteerism increases, and local businesses gain the next generation of problem-solvers. Empowering kids isn’t a feel-good gesture. It’s a community development strategy with long-term returns.
If you’re wondering what you can do, start small. Ask a child what they care about. Say yes to their idea. Invite them into a conversation about a real problem. Support a youth-led project at school or in your neighborhood. Kids don’t need perfection, they need permission. And your “yes” might be the spark that changes how they see themselves for the rest of their lives.
Young people see the world differently. They see what’s possible, not what’s complicated. Their ideas aren’t watered down by cynicism or bureaucracy. When a kid leads a project — even a small one — people instinctively lean in. They want to help. They want to be part of that goodness.
But too often, children don’t step forward because they think no one will take them seriously. When adults choose to say “yes” — even to a small idea — it ignites something powerful. A child doesn’t need a giant platform. They need a doorway. When a community opens even one door, a kid’s confidence can expand into leadership, and leadership into real impact.
The movement happening in Brewer isn’t about money raised or events run. It’s about identity. When a child learns early that they are capable of shaping the world around them, they carry that belief into adulthood. And that belief becomes leadership — authentic, grounded, and deeply connected to their community.
This is the heart of what I call The D-Max Effect: when a kid takes the lead, the community gets stronger — not someday, but immediately.
If we want healthier neighborhoods and a culture of everyday kindness, we don’t need to wait for future leaders to grow up. They’re already here. All we have to do is make room.
