My name is Raquel López. I have been an AmeriCorps*VISTA with United Way since the beginning of March, and it has been a true delight to work on Youth Volunteer Outreach. My most recent project was Global Youth Service Day, an event celebrated in over 100 countries. Each April, youth join in this great effort to make a difference in their communities. My partner Brian Wayment and I organized several youth committees to plan and carry out these projects. We met regularly with these groups and were so pleased with the fruits of their labor!
GLOBAL YOUTH SERVICE DAY PROJECTS Friday April 24 Students from Independence High School in Provo gathered to lend a hand of service in beautifying their school grounds and a nearby park. They filled several large bags of trash, laughed, conversed and enjoyed root beer floats when the work was done!
Saturday April 25 Students from Merit College Preparatory Academy of Springville organized and carried out their own “Helping Homes with Many Hands” project. These students along with other youth and families from the community met at the Springville Arts Park to receive service assignments. They did such things as beautifying homes/yards of elderly community members, painting and gardening at the local Baptist church and maintenance/clean-up at the Arts Park. Once all projects had been completed, all volunteers returned to the park for a mingle and feast of refreshments--just as a great rainstorm began pouring down. The timing could not have been more perfect! We all had a wonderful service experience.
The long-term boys at Slate Canyon Juvenile Detention Center planted a garden. They will be tending this garden and donating the harvest to the Food Bank or a local shelter. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take pictures of the boys at the facility. They did a wonderful job. In the next few weeks we will be doing another project with them. They will be writing and illustrating inspirational books to be donated to other youth corrections or treatment centers.
Thursday April 30 Community Action and Centro Hispano hosted “Dia De Los Niños,” an exciting and educational event for Hispanic families in the community. Students volunteers from Spanish Fork High School and other organizations ran games, activities and booths to provide information, resources, healthy snacks, fun prizes and recreation for families. The focus was to educate parents and their children on fitness and healthier living. The event was a great success and was covered by a few news reporters to be aired on the local news. Many thanks to Angelica, Centro Hispano and all volunteer participants for their many great ideas, passion and hard work!
Tuesday May 19 Merit College Preparatory Academy students organized a talent night at the Springville Senior Center (65 East 200 South). They had been mentoring younger students in helping them develop a skill or talent to share. The vision behind this project was to help children discover their own talents and passions. As the children continue to pursue these interests into their youth, they will be less likely to have idle time for loneliness, anxiety and mischief.
Saturday April 25
The long-term boys at Slate Canyon Juvenile Detention Center planted a garden. They will be tending this garden and donating the harvest to the Food Bank or a local shelter. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take pictures of the boys at the facility. They did a wonderful job. In the next few weeks we will be doing another project with them. They will be writing and illustrating inspirational books to be donated to other youth corrections or treatment centers. 
Thursday April 30
