Thousands of young people around the world are coming together once again in the spirit of helping others during Global Youth Service Day, which starts today until the 28th. With the tagline “Your Story Starts Today,” Youth Service America encourages young people to see the power that they have right now to make a difference. Groups of Aspect Students are sharing their experiences through various service projects, donating Aspect International Kindness Kit bags filled with essentials to local communities. Stay tuned for our next post, where we’ll recap on all the volunteering projects our wonderful students have been a part of during GYSD this year!
International Coordinator, Brittani from Texas, says, “I was recently introduced to a local non profit, La Tiendita, or “The Little Store”. It serves as a small, community grocery store, training facility, and support center for Latino students and families. My students and I filled bags with books, markers, journals, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, a jump rope, and a few snacks. These kits will be passed out to elementary students that receive support from La Tiendita. The man that started the store, served 18 years in prison before President Obama gave him clemency. He had such an amazing transformation!”
Brittani continues, “There were several parts that really touched me. First, the fact that the students that showed up to help put these kits together, have really made kindness a habit the entire time they’ve been in the US as exchange students. And second, knowing that we were a part of something special and that our kindness kits would bless a local child who is really benefiting from our small act of kindness.”
Patricia from Moldova adds, “This volunteering activity and the owner of the store has touched my heart considerably. I’ve grown up in a city where everyone knew it needed love but no one could actually act upon it, so now I started to create ideas in my mind on how to help my community like the owner did to his. It made me feel really content with doing a good cause and knowing that I helped someone have a better day than the one before. Maybe they will do the same and a chain reaction will start bringing the community together.”
International Coordinator, Holley from Wisconsin, says, “We decorated our donation bags to distribute to the Tree House for at-risk families and youth (violence and neglect). Over Christmas, families brought socks and personal care items to donate. I participated with Thrivent Action Team and they provided $250 to use towards snacks, gift cards, and other essentials to distribute to families and children in need.”
Holley continues, “My favorite part was everyone teasing me about my awful 3rd grade artwork and lack of artistic ability while sharing stories of bad art. We sat around the table, everyone brought a snack and we were able to chit-chat, do our check ins, and enjoy some company on a Sunday afternoon. Twenty bags were decorated and countless items will be donated for them to use and help some local families out!”
Maxyn from Belgium adds, “What I appreciated about helping the community was being with people and all of us helping with the donation kits. It’s always great for me to be helpful and I love that. Knowing I am helping people without knowing them is awesome and I also love doing this with other people around me.”
Are you interested in making a student a part of your family? We are looking for American host families to welcome a student for the upcoming 2024-25 school year! Check out the profiles of our wonderful students! New profiles go online every Thursday!
