Sharing Service Stories » Youth Development http://sharingservicestories.org Let your story inspire others Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:38:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Emily Stinehart: Passing on the Tradition of Helping Others http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/emily-stinehart/ http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/emily-stinehart/#comments Thu, 23 Jul 2009 02:50:34 +0000 Inglis Leslie http://sharingservicestories.org/?p=489 StinehartEmilyEmily Stinehart became active in community service after her family was assisted during challenging times. She volunteered at countless events, including local coat checks, recycling drives, bake sales and library programs, while still in high school. As a University of Toledo student, Emily volunteers and provides leadership within the Circle K organization, a student based group that fosters volunteerism in tandem with a local Kiwanis Club. Currently serving as district secretary, Emily is running for lieutenant governor in the northwest Ohio district. Through her service with Circle K, Emily has interacted with the following organizations: the Josina Lott Center, Toledo Head Start Program, Cherry Street Mission and Six Cent Initiative.

]]> http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/emily-stinehart/feed/ 0 Thomas Walters – Creating Life-Changing Experiences for Youth http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/thomas-walters-allstate/ http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/thomas-walters-allstate/#comments Thu, 23 Jul 2009 02:03:20 +0000 Inglis Leslie http://sharingservicestories.org/?p=494 WaltersThomasIn his local community, Wake Forest, Thomas Walters has been a city councilman and director of the Chamber of Commerce, served on the board of the fire department, mentored the high school Key Club, sponsored programs that benefit non-profit organizations and sponsored hundreds of youth athletic programs – but his passion is the YMCA of the Triangle. For the past 11 years, he has helped create several programs that are helping local families. Thomas has been instrumental in making the WeBuildPeople program into what it is today- providing life-changing experiences for children, teens, adults, and families through YMCA tutoring, mentoring, camping, aquatics, sports, wellness and many other vital programs and services – assuring that no one is turned away due to lack of funds.

]]> http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/thomas-walters-allstate/feed/ 0 Lake Brantley High School: Jefferson Awards’ Student Leaders Making a Difference in Orlando http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/lake-brantley-high-school/ http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/lake-brantley-high-school/#comments Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:47:38 +0000 Inglis Leslie http://sharingservicestories.org/?p=517 LakeBrantleyHighSchool2Alyssa Smith, Tami Segal, Casey O’Grady, and Rachael Houston are Student Leaders in the Jefferson Awards program, Leadership class, and Student Government at Lake Brantley. Alyssa, a second year YSI leader, is active in various activities and will attend LSU in the fall. Tami is involved in crew, her youth group, and Darfur activism. Casey swims year-round, plays soccer and is a member of National Honor Society. Rachael is captain of the basketball team, writes for the school newspaper, and participates in drama. All are widely involved in the Central Florida community and their leadership within our school inspires others.

]]> http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/lake-brantley-high-school/feed/ 0 RB Stall High School: Jefferson Awards’ Student Leaders Making a Difference in Charleston http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/rb-stall-high-school/ http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/rb-stall-high-school/#comments Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:30:52 +0000 Inglis Leslie http://sharingservicestories.org/?p=522 RBStallHSWelcomeDinner1Ja’Rod Foster, William Sanders and Vanessa Sorto were senior leaders for the Youth Service Initiative at RB Stall this year. These outstanding leaders have served their school and community by working to establish the Jefferson Awards program during its first year at Stall. Under their direction the program flourished and many students were nominated and recognized for volunteer service. Each of these students has also volunteered in their community. Ja’Rod works with student government and is a member of the School Improvement Council. As a member of the National Honor Society, William is a mentor to fellow students, helping them achieve academic excellence. Vanessa was a monthly winner of the YSI service award for her work with Habitat for Humanity.

]]> http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/rb-stall-high-school/feed/ 0 St. Agnes Academy: Jefferson Awards’ Student Leaders Making a Difference in Memphis http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/st-agnes-academy/ http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/st-agnes-academy/#comments Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:09:57 +0000 Inglis Leslie http://sharingservicestories.org/?p=534 St.AgnesStudentLeadersMemphis’ Student Leaders, Mary Kate Walsh and Mary Griffin Tate have excelled in driving the YSI program within their school. Since entering high school, each has become a proven leader and has taken an active role in the Memphis community including Habitat for Humanity. As President of the Habitat club, Mary Kate led efforts to raise $1,000 towards the cost of a home for a deserving family. She is a member of Le Bonheur Teens which helps raise money and help with the kids in Le Bonheur Hospital. In addition to implementing the YSI program, Mary Griffin is active in Bridge Builders and has been listed on the Summa Cum Laude Dean’s List the past three years. Bridge Builders is a two year youth leadership and diversity training program that focuses on bringing together young people from different segments of the Memphis community and providing shared experiences. Mary Kate and Mary Griffin display a sense of community and stewardship that should be expected from the rest of the Memphis community.

]]> http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/st-agnes-academy/feed/ 0 Livermore High School: Jefferson Awards’ Student Leaders Making a Difference in San Francisco Bay Area http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/livermore-high-school/ http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/livermore-high-school/#comments Wed, 22 Jul 2009 23:44:18 +0000 Inglis Leslie http://sharingservicestories.org/?p=539 Livermore High SchoolThe student leaders of Livermore High School (Audrieana Bammer, Danielle Harvey, Kathryn
Rambo and Brittani Thurlow) were chosen to represent the San Francisco YSI Bay Area Region based on the school’s success in rolling out a new healthy foods program and its engagement of faculty support. Concerned about high rates of childhood obesity and diabetes, the Livermore High School students focused on creating a program to improve health and nutrition at their school, with the goal of expanding the program to neighboring schools across the Bay Area. In partnership with nutritionists and the Agricultural Department, Livermore now provides two to three vegetable and fruit lunch selections per day, and it has instituted various measures to ensure that they meet healthy food guidelines set forth by the American Heart Association.

]]> http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/livermore-high-school/feed/ 0 Savannah Arts Academy: Jefferson Awards’ Student Leaders Making a Difference in Savannah http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/savannah-arts-academy/ http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/savannah-arts-academy/#comments Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:46:42 +0000 Inglis Leslie http://sharingservicestories.org/?p=547 SavannahArtsAcademyCatherine Mulligan and Tilly Isaacson are honored to represent the student leadership team from Savannah Arts Academy. This is Savannah Arts Academy’s first year of participation in the Jefferson Awards program. The team has worked diligently during a short amount of time to spread the word about the Jefferson Awards to their fellow students. Catherine and Tilly are determined to encourage their classmates to take part in community service and motivate them to start their own projects. Catherine, a sophomore dance major, uses her talents by performing at nursing homes and other charitable events as well as teaching younger students. Tilly, a junior theater major, enjoys contributing to the community through student government groups such as Chatham County Youth Commission and Youth Futures Authority.

]]> http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/savannah-arts-academy/feed/ 0 St. Francis de Sales High School: Jefferson Awards’ Student Leaders Making a Difference in Toledo http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/st-francis-de-sales-high-school/ http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/st-francis-de-sales-high-school/#comments Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:04:28 +0000 Inglis Leslie http://sharingservicestories.org/?p=555 St.FrancisdeSalesHighSchoolThrough Leadership Toledo, the Youth Service Initiative was launched mid-year in four schools in the Toledo region. Samuel Evola took the reigns, leading the program to be the first school to recognize a student with the Jefferson Award. Samuel is involved in many school activities, sports and has volunteered countless hours. Jonathan Niese was the first award recipient from St. Francis de Sales and was chosen because of his more than 300 hours of community service. Some of his volunteer activities are service projects in Appalachia and volunteering as a spotter for “Lose the Training Wheels,” a program that teaches disabled children how to ride bicycles.

]]> http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/st-francis-de-sales-high-school/feed/ 0 Thornridge High School: Jefferson Awards’ Student Leaders Making a Difference in Chicago http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/thornridge_high_school/ http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/thornridge_high_school/#comments Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:53:04 +0000 Inglis Leslie http://sharingservicestories.org/?p=529 Thornridge High SchoolThornridge High School prides itself on the spirit of community service. These Student Leaders (Kiara Bishop, Markist Booker, Vincent Jones, and Shelby Rogers) strive to embody that ideal. Each has assumed leadership roles within their school, including serving on the District 205 Student Board of Education. Whether it be volunteering at local churches to feed the homeless, taking time to share activities with senior citizens, or simply lending a helping hand whenever possible they have truly lead by example. All four helped to orchestrate two major school projects: one to ensure their school cafeteria serves healthy food, and the other a school clean-up and beatification project in cooperation with Comcast. As a newly accepted Youth Service Initiative School, Thornridge serves as a role model for neighboring high schools, and will continue to build upon the strong traditions of leadership, service and philanthropy.

]]> http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/thornridge_high_school/feed/ 0 Leonard J. Young, Jr.: Spreading the Word on Public Health and Wellness http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/leonard-j-young-jr-city-of-wilmington-de/ http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/leonard-j-young-jr-city-of-wilmington-de/#comments Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:43:30 +0000 Inglis Leslie http://sharingservicestories.org/?p=499 Leonard YoungFor more than 20 years, Leonard J. Young, Jr. has passionately served the people of Delaware by promoting, educating and volunteering in public health and wellness initiatives. He strives to make a positive, lasting difference in the lives of others by encouraging his fellow man to obtain regular preventive health screenings and incorporate healthy practices into their daily lives. Mr. Young spends countless hours preparing for health awareness events and his leadership and participation in numerous public health efforts is extensive. He also educates the community and youth groups on the hazards of substance abuse, the need for responsible sexual behavior and how to detect and prevent violent behavior in personal relationships.

]]> http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/leonard-j-young-jr-city-of-wilmington-de/feed/ 0 Patricia A. Fennell – Helping Former Offenders Successfully Return to Society http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/patricia-a-fennell-peco-energy-an-exelon-company/ http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/patricia-a-fennell-peco-energy-an-exelon-company/#comments Wed, 22 Jul 2009 01:30:08 +0000 Inglis Leslie http://sharingservicestories.org/?p=372 Patricia Fennell

Patricia Fennell is committed to service beyond her daily job – specifically her service to the Kingdom Care Reentry Network, where she serves as a volunteer and board member. The Kingdom Care Reentry Network was organized in 1999 to reduce repeat criminal offenses and help ex-offenders in Philadelphia successfully return to society following incarceration. In 2008 alone, Pat contributed more than 100 hours of her own time to this worthy cause. She has become an integral part of the Kingdom Care team, and is described as “essential and invaluable.” Pat is also an active member of several community boards such as Philadelphia Youth Aid Panel (YAP), AIDS Fund, and Southwest Belmont Community Association.

]]> http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/patricia-a-fennell-peco-energy-an-exelon-company/feed/ 0 Sarah Anthony – Helping Young Women Build Self-Esteem and Self-Awareness http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/sarah-anthony-h-j-heinz-company/ http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/sarah-anthony-h-j-heinz-company/#comments Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:40:12 +0000 Inglis Leslie http://sharingservicestories.org/?p=351 Sarah AnthonySarah Anthony is an active member of Heinz Helps, the corporate volunteer organization at Heinz. For the past three years, she has volunteered for Girls Hope of Pittsburgh and currently serves as president of the Young Leadership Board (YLB). Girls Hope helps academically capable and motivated children-in-need to meet their full potential and become women for others by providing value-centered, family-like homes, opportunities and education through college. A private, nondenominational program, Girls Hope welcomes young women of all backgrounds from Southwestern Pennsylvania. As president, Sarah oversees all fundraising and mentoring events. The goal of each mentoring event is to foster an environment that builds self-esteem, selfawareness, communication and team building while focusing on education and goal planning.

]]> http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/sarah-anthony-h-j-heinz-company/feed/ 0 Bill Milliken: A Youth Advocate Finds Solution to Dropout Crisis http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/bill-milliken/ http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/bill-milliken/#comments Sun, 19 Jul 2009 16:41:33 +0000 fordrm http://sharingservicestories.org/?p=292 Bill MillikenBill Milliken is vice-chairman of Communities in Schools (CIS), the organization he founded in 1977 to help troubled students graduate and succeed in life. This dropout prevention program, which connects schools with community resources to help disenfranchised youth, reaches more than two million young people in 27 states and the District of Columbia. CIS believes that before kids can focus on academic success, they have to have the Five Basics: a personal, one-on-one relationship with a caring adult; a safe place to learn and grow; a healthy start and a healthy future; a marketable skill to use upon graduation; and a chance to give back to peers and community. This solution to the dropout crisis is proven, effective, replicable, and sustainable and has been tested over three decades. Bill Milliken has been a tireless advocate for kids and believes that “You gain your life by giving it away.”

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]]> http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/bill-milliken/feed/ 0 Catalino Tapia: A Gardener Grows College Scholarships http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/catalino-tapia/ http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/catalino-tapia/#comments Sun, 19 Jul 2009 16:34:51 +0000 fordrm http://sharingservicestories.org/?p=282 Catalino TapiaCatalino Tapia was 20 years old when he immigrated from Mexico in search of a better life. He started his own gardening business, bought a home, and educated his children. In 2002, he decided to give back to the community by starting the Bay Area Gardeners’Foundation, which provides college scholarships to the children of low-income families. Since 2006, the Bay Area Gardeners’ Foundation has provided scholarships to 14 students who have gone on to continue their education. Tapia and other gardeners he knew began asking their clients for donations, and within two weeks, they raised $10,000 for the foundation. In 2006, when the group had raised $45,000, they sponsored five students at $1,500 each. In 2007, they sponsored nine more at the same amount and added a special award – the student with the highest grades got an additional $1,000.

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]]> http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/catalino-tapia/feed/ 0 Kevin Brown: A Custodian Answers Calling to Help Underprivileged Kids http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/kevin-brown/ http://sharingservicestories.org/2009/07/kevin-brown/#comments Sun, 19 Jul 2009 16:12:20 +0000 fordrm http://sharingservicestories.org/?p=269 Kevin BrownSeven years ago, when Kevin Brown came across a group of bored children causing trouble in their neighborhood, he knew he had to do something. He developed an after-school program for more than 100 children and a summer program for more than 400 children. Affectionately known as Coach Brown, he was determined to provide a safe place for these children to play and excellent educational and cultural opportunities for kids. Many of these children have hard lives and would have no adult supervision after school. During the school year, the kids get tutoring, and many of their teachers say they have seen improvement in their grades. During the summer, the kids have access to art and dance classes, gym, and voluntary bible study.

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