Teens changing their communities
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| Gardner High School’s Nikki Perry responds to a question at the United Way Youth Venture 2008 Partnership Celebration that included over 300 participants as Mettaya Potter and Larissa Rodriquez look on. |
| For Immediate Release – They came to listen, learn and share how they were improving their communities. Over 200 middle and high school students from North Central Massachusetts traveled to Nashua, New Hampshire to participate in the United Way Youth Venture’s 2008 Partnership Celebration this past Friday.
“Every year the students amaze me with their creativity and energy on ways to improve the community,” commented Phil Grzewinski, president of United Way of North Central Massachusetts.
United Way Youth Venture, a program of Mount Wachusett Community College’s Center for Democracy and Humanity, is in ten schools throughout the region and provides coaching, resources, and seed funding for young people ages 12-20 to create, launch, and lead sustainable community-benefiting ventures.
“We are extremely proud of the good work these young people have initiated to benefit others,” said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino.
The ideas presented from over 50 teams, representing more than 14 schools from North Central Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire, were as diverse as the students.
They ranged from hosting a senior citizen prom by a team from Gardner High School to Shirley Middle School students launching their own newspaper to seventh and eighth graders in Leominster providing assistance to seniors.
“As a parent I am thrilled with my son being a United Way Youth Venturer. He has been able to share his endless compassion and sensitivity with the residents of Sunrise Assisted Living Center,” said Francine Meigs, a parent and an ally for the C.L.A.S.S. team from Samoset School in Leominster.
A team called Extreme Makeover: Field Edition from Murdock Middle High School in Winchendon is working to create a more accessible baseball field for all members of the community. They also hope to use their new field to hold baseball summer camps for young children.
A Shirley Middle School team is launching a school newspaper called The Rolled-Up Newspaper. The team will work with elementary students to create and write a newspaper for the students at Lura A. White Elementary School.
“United Way Youth Venture is an incredibly powerful program that transforms students, their schools and most of all their communities,” commented Rachel Andler, AmeriCorps VISTA for United Way Youth Venture.
According to Andler, the students use their own talents and interests and exercise social responsibility and entrepreneurship in finding ways to contribute to their communities. To become a Venturer, they must create an action plan and present their Venture idea to a selection panel of community members.
United Way Youth Venture is active in the Leominster Public Schools, Fitchburg Public Schools, Shirley Middle School, Gardner High School, North Middlesex High School, Murdock Middle High School in Winchendon and Parker Charter Essential School.
United Way Youth Venture is a program of United Way of North Central Massachusetts and Mount Wachusett Community College.
Leave a lasting legacy, remember the United Way of North Central Massachusetts in your will or estate plan.
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