Community Corner

YMCA VolunTeens Give Time to Help Community

Teens from Short Hills and other towns have a memorable summer volunteering for the Summit Area YMCA.

The Summit Area YMCA gave a memorable experience and valuable community-service hours to area high school students who in return served the greater good as part of the Summer VolunTeen Program. 

The program, which started July 8 and runs through the end of the week, allows teens to work three days each week for a few hours at area nonprofits. 


The six volunteering teens are Erin Garinger of Boonton; Short Hills students Kelle Keyles, John Li and Raj Singh; and Ashly Roy and Andy DeMeo of New Providence. 

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“Through first-hand experience, this wonderful opportunity helps teens to see the value in volunteerism," said Janet Smith, vice president of human resources and volunteers for the Summit Area YMCA. "They realize the positive difference they can make in the lives of others and the impact it has on the community.

"I am always amazed to hear the teens talk about the program…they learn so much, they’re transformed by their experiences, and they’re inspired to continue giving back to others.”

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During the first week of the program, the teens worked at Summit City Hall to create a map of commemorative bricks in its courtyard. By listing the bricks along the pathway by name, the VolunTeens help brick “owners” to easily find the brick bearing the name of their loved one. 

“These bricks represent the people and the history of Summit," said VolunTeen Raj Singh. "It’s nice to know we are helping to remember the past, to preserve history and to preserve these memories for families.”

In succeeding weeks, the teenagers spent time doing service work for the Summit Area YMCA Summer Camp, the Reeves-Reed Arboretum and SAGE Eldercare.

VolunTeen Erin Garinger said spending time with senior citizens at SAGE Eldercare allowed her to use her special skills to bond with others.

“There were several seniors who had trouble communicating, so I tried to find ways to connect," she said. "One woman only spoke French, so I spoke French with her and talked all about France, which made her feel good. Another man couldn’t speak, but he loved music. So when music played, I danced with him and that made him so happy. 

"We learned a lot and shared a lot of joy.” 

As much as the community has been helped by the teenagers, the young people themselves seem to be focused on what they gained during their summer as YMC VolunTeens, if New Providence High School students Andy DeMeo and Ashly Roy are any indication.

“It feels good to know we are helping others and helping our community,” said DeMeo.

 

Roy agreed.

“I am more aware of what’s going on in our community and how the world works," she said. "There is much more to life than only hanging out with friends.”


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