It's amazing how your perspective changes as you grow up, make your way through the world and have your own kids. If you had asked me when I was younger how important education was to me, it's safe to say that it wouldn't have been a big priority. I dropped out of school and got into a lot of trouble as a teenager and young man. Having gotten through some very tough times with the help of my family, my parish priest and the local Boys & Girls Club, I now understand the role that education plays in a young person's life. And I want the kids in my old neighborhood in Boston -- and every neighborhood -- to have access to a good education.

Maybe it's because of the difficulties I had growing up that I'm so impressed by organizations helping disadvantaged and troubled kids. The Dorchester Youth Alternative Academy in Boston is a small program with a huge impact. It helps kids, who for one reason or another have trouble staying in school, get the education they deserve. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester is another great example. I spent many hours there as a kid. The club provides help with homework, gives one-on-one tutoring and has a music program. In Los Angeles, my new hometown, Reach Back L.A. provides everything from mentoring programs to art classes to help prepare kids for success.

These are just three examples of educational programs I partnered with when I started the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation. All are invaluable assets to their communities and profoundly affect the lives of the kids in these neighborhoods.

There are thousands of great organizations just like these that need your help. By volunteering on Make A Difference Day or through the I Participate program (iparticipateusa.org), you can make your own impact. It can be as simple as reading to kids on your lunch hour, becoming a mentor or organizing neighbors to collect school supplies. Please join me in giving opportunities for children to succeed by donating your time and resources in your community.

5 reasons to visit makeadifferenceday.com

Tell us your plans
Get tips about planning a volunteer project, then register your plans in the Make A Difference DAYtaBANK. This searchable database will help you recruit volunteers and get recognition for your efforts.

Get free cereal
Once your project is registered in the DAYtaBANK, you're eligible to be one of 50 projects (one per state) chosen to receive free cereal from Newman's Own.

Volunteer as a family
Disney FamilyFun magazine funds a new $2,500 award to encourage and recognize family volunteering. The money goes to the family's charity of choice.

Help older people
AARP Create the Good funds two new $5,000 charitable awards to recognize projects that help older people stay in their homes.

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About USA WEEKEND's Make A Difference Day, Oct. 24

Sponsored in partnership with HandsOn Network and supported by Newman's Own. Find out more at makeadifferenceday.com.

Join us on Oct. 24 for Make A Difference Day

Now, more than ever, people need your help. That's why USA WEEKEND Magazine and the Entertainment Industry Foundation -- Hollywood's leading charity -- are joining forces for Make A Difference Day 2009. This month, read essays from entertainers who are lending their support to I Participate (iparticipateusa.org), a multiyear campaign led by EIF to increase service. The campaign reaches full throttle Oct. 19 to 25, when the four major broadcast networks -- ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC -- will devote the week to airing messages about volunteering. You can turn that TV inspiration into real-life action on Make A Difference Day, Oct. 24, when millions of Americans will volunteer.

Make A Difference Day, the largest national day of helping others, is sponsored by USA WEEKEND Magazine and its 600 carrier newspapers. Make A Difference Day is held in partnership with HandsOn Network and is supported by Newman's Own, which provides $10,000 donations to charities selected by of each of 10 national honorees. The 19th Make A Difference Day is Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009.