Youth Volunteerism

More and more colleges are expecting youth to report service hours on their admissions application. As a friend and I were discussing all the things we need to do to help our kids meet the college requirements, we emphasized how overwhelmed both the parents and the kids are today, how much pressure our young kids carry. I have to admit I was slightly exasperated at the daunting task of helping to make it all happen: good grades, extra-curricular activities, service, leadership, etc. Oh, and fit sleep in there somewhere;)

I have to admit, I have had a change of heart and am now grateful for those demanding college requirements that have nudged us into the world of community service. What started as an ends to a means, has been nurtured and is now growing into my daughter's personal desire to contribute and to feel a greater love for those around her.

I encouraged my daughter to apply to our community's youth city council. Over the summer, she has had the chance to help out with many community service projects. Each time I pick her up, she expresses how good it feels. On one occasion, she had helped out at the Kiwanis scone booth during our community's Art City Days Celebration. A simple thing, but when she got in the car, she said, "Thanks Mom for helping me get into this, I love it! Did you know that all the money they make from the scone booth goes directly to the Sub for Santa families right here in our city? It makes me happy to know that I was helping some little kids have a happy Christmas today!"

Now she is reaching beyond the activities organized by the youth city council leaders and volunteered to help a non-profit, My Story Matters, go into the Road Home shelter and work with homeless children to create their individual story in a photo book they could keep. She came home exhausted but elated. She loved working with the kids and said how it was sad but made her happy at the same time. She fell in love with a little girl who smiled as she held on to my daughter's leg. "I hope I made a little difference today, or at least made them happy, because they made me happy!"  

As a mother it makes me thrilled to know my child is connecting with her community and feeling a desire to serve those in need; to know her heart is growing with the love she is gathering for those who pass but a moment in her life. It makes me almost cry to look at the picture above of her intently and genuinely engaging with a woman in need whom she just met. I am proud of the woman my daughter is becoming. 

Today's happily unmonumental moment is the joy of watching my daughter participate in youth volunteerism. 

"....while volunteerism is focused on helping others, perhaps the biggest benefits to volunteering are reaped by the volunteers themselves. Studies suggest that youth volunteerism contributes to identity development, enhancement of skills (including increasing job marketability), increased self-esteem, development of empathy for others, and other improvements related to positive youth development. Often, volunteer endeavors also facilitate the development of significant relationships. Through these activities, youth are able to meet like-minded individuals, as well as a possible range of people they would otherwise not encounter."

Maria R. T. de Guzman, Extension Adolescent Specialist

Let's all go find a way to share a part of ourselves with someone!

Camping Cousins

I recently went to a lecture on family recreation and did you know that some of the most significant memories are the small and simple ones; the ones we don't really even think about at the moment? Like, swinging in a two-person hammock with your cousin:)

It made me smile to see these two, or rather I heard their giggles first. Two kids, just shy of a year apart, who don't get to see each other very much, but run to share a hammock and laugh at everything they have missed since the last time they caught up. They will not remember what they were talking about, but they will remember the feel of the subtle swing, the smell of fresh mountain air, and the joy of sharing a moment snuggled up next to someone you've shared memories with since you were a baby.

My cousin, Cheryl, was just six days older than I. We were lucky enough to live just around the corner from each other until fourth grade. We were inseparable. We played dolls together, rode bikes together, ate watermelon together and yes, camped together. The main thing I associate with every memory I share with Cheryl is laughter -- we laughed until our bellies hurt. After seeing my daughter and her cousin just hanging, it made me long for another moment with Cheryl. I think I need to call her!

Go call your cousin and make a new memory too!!!!