Kirsch objected to widespread portrayal of today's youth as cynical, saying that she has "seen a lot of positive people out there."
She said young people care about many issues.
"One of the big things is race," Kirsch said. "This generation wants to come together and mend races."
She said today's youth are adept at coming up with innovative solutions to society's problems. Kirsch also spoke about Public Allies, whichshe founded as a public service group. She said she originally asked for funding fromthe Fila Corp. in a somewhat unconventionalmanner: by leaving a message on the CFO's voicemail. But she was ultimately successful, and theprogram has expanded across the country, she said. Public Allies has served as a model forClinton's national service legislation, Kirschsaid