Youth United Way Wraps Up a Positive 2009

Youth United Way is an active group of local high school students with a vested interest in honing boardmanship skills and learning about their charitable community.  The group, started in 1997, works with local social service agencies to plan and implement service projects.  Planning takes place at monthly board meetings, which are student-run.  The students are responsible for all aspects of their projects and are supported behind-the scenes by sponsor Judy Cabrera and others who help them develop their philanthropic goals.

Youth United Way volunteers each week at the Community Crisis Center to read to children, play games, and tutor while the moms in the shelter attend sessions.  Additionally, they have carried out many larger service projects, including:

• Donating $500 worth of diapers to the Community Crisis Center and helping with their annual auction in March.

• Helping coordinate, promote, and staff the Frock Swap in August

• Stuffing envelopes for U-46’s United Way Campaign in September

• Setting up for Centro de Informacion’s auction in October

• Participating in the Community Crisis Center outdoor clean-up

• Holding a cookie bake for the soup kitchen for which they baked and bagged 1,000 cookies

• Holding a food drive for the Community Crisis Center and Salvation Army in November, which resulted in 3 van-loads of food

• Helping with the Community Crisis Center’s Toy Give-Away, including shopping for $1,000 worth of toys, setting-up the Hemmens Center, and staffing the give-away.

In 2010, the Youth United Way members are looking forward to planning a wide-range of new service activities.  They are currently looking for ways to help raise money for runner Bruce Johnson, who will run across the United States as a fundraiser for the Crisis Center.  They are planning a kickoff event on January 8th, featuring a band composed of group president George Rapidis and YUW members, Brandon Couture and Chaz Sirridge called “The Reverends.” The event will be 7-11pm at Douglas Street Sports Bar & Grill.

Tags: Bruce Johnson, Centro de Informacion, Community Crisis Center, Salvation Army, United Way, Youth United Way