Many thanks to our Young Humanitarian Award Judges & Local Service Director, Julia Wee!

Although Youthlinc organizes the annual search for Utah's Young Humanitarian - Utah's largest service scholarship, a $5,000 Award - our Organization only facilitates. Many thanks to the George S. & Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation for funding the Award, and three $1,000 runner up Awards.

Many thanks also to our Local Service Director, Julia Wee, who has spent countless hours:

> promoting the search to news outlets and in every secondary school, college, and university in Utah.
> preparing and distributing application materials.
> sending out invitations to community leaders to judge the competition.
> receiving & compiling & tabulating the judging packets
> communicating with our applicants
> setting up a wonderful morning of interviews today with our top 14 finalists.

The results of the 2011 search -- the top four candidates as selected by our interview judges -- will be announced this week. The 2011 Utah Young Humanitarian will be announced at our Annual Benefit Thursday, May 19 at La Caille. Please join us by rsvping office@youthlinc.org $75 p/p

Thank you also to our interview judges who spent this morning with our finalists:

Michael Lagnese, GE Money Bank
Dan Chard, NuSkin
Emily Seegmiller, Xango
Erin Wright, George S. & Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation
Del Beatty, Dixie College Dean of Students
Stan Guy, Executive Director Utah Youth Councils
Betsy Ward, Executive Director, Utah Higher Ed Civic Engagement Coalition
Dr. Michael Bassis, President Westminster College
Dave Baugh, Tanner LC, Youthlinc Board Vice-Chair
Steve Roens, U of U Senior Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies

And also to the judges who spent many hours reading our 73 applications from all over the state this year:

Mikell Stringham, Mondo Art Project
Jason Collier, Ameriprise Financial, Youthlinc Board member
Johanna Hillen, Weber State University Community Involvement Center
David Wintzer, Youthlinc alum, Board member
Mary Wintzer, Youthlinc alum parent, Park City Benefit committee member
Wendy Hansen, Youthlinc alum parent
Tyler Steenblik, Youthlinc alum parent
Karen Roylance, Youthlinc alum parent
Margareta Hjorth-Vlasic, Youthlinc alum parent, Annual Benefit committee member
Diane McVey Ward, Youthlinc alum parent
Mary Wee, Youthlinc alum parent
Ellie Sonntag Stephens, Youthlinc alum parent, Park City Benefit committee member
Gabrielle Strand, Youthlinc alum parent

Youthlinc Founder receives 'Dare to Care' Award from U of U College of Nursing

UNIVERSITY OF UTAH MEDIA RELEASE

In her quest to create lifetime humanitarians, Youthlinc founder and executive director Judy Zone has demonstrated that global change begins at home. Since establishing the service organization in 1999 she has engaged more than 1000 young Utahns to contribute 80,000-plus hours to service in their own communities — a prerequisite to their international service in some of the world’s most impoverished nations. In recognition of her accomplishments, which reflect and promote the ideals of nursing, Zone will receive the Dare to Care Award at the 17th Annual Honors for Nursing. The event will be held Tuesday, May 10 at 6:00 p.m. at Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City. Hosted by the University of Utah College of Nursing Alumni Board, Honors for Nursing is Utah’s only statewide recognition of nurses and supporters of nursing during National Nurses Week.

According to Zone, the impetus for launching Youthlinc was a Kenya safari she took with her daughter. “It is quite breathtaking when you see extreme poverty,” she says. “We spent as much time talking with locals as we did watching animals.” Upon returning to Utah, Zone became “obsessed with figuring out a way that young people could experience the connection between local and international service.” Central to Youthlinc’s mission is the stipulation that participants earn a sponsorship to fund their travel expenses by providing local service in Utah. Zone’s commitment to keeping the program accessible to all young people, not simply those with financial resources to travel abroad, and her record for instilling in participants a lifetime service ethic, earned her the esteem of Honors for Nursing organizers. “Each year we face the daunting task of selecting one individual from the many furthering the ideals of nursing in our community,” says Gretchen Ratzlaff, the event’s chairperson. “Through her indelible impact, Judy is a true standout among Utah’s most compassionate humanitarians.”

Zone, who has worked with youth throughout her life — as a secondary and college educator —credits Youthlinc with teaching her profound lessons about the capacity for people to do good in the world when they dare to care for others. “Whether it is a Utah high school student who, under the guidance of a mentor, develops a unique assessment for a child with disabilities -- or a mother living in abject poverty who starts a small business with a Youthlinc microcredit loan, I have seen many people reach outside their comfort zone and shine when given the opportunity.”

In receiving the Dare to Care Award, Zone joins notable past recipients, including former Utah senator Karen Hale and Maliheh Free Clinic founder Khosrow Semnani.

Media representatives are invited to cover the May 10 program.

Without YOU there is no Youthlinc! Come to our Annual Benefit May 19 at La Caille! $75 p/p. RSVP office@youthlinc.org

Every year, Youthlinc must raise $140,000 in sponsorships so that we can create lifetime humanitarians through our Service Year. 150 students annually are accepted into the program: committed to contribute 12,000 hours of local service and attend a monthly meeting where they plan (under the direction of amazing volunteer mentors) international service in villages in Kenya, Mexico, Peru, Thailand, and Cambodia.

In return for what amounts to a ‘part time job’ of service, each student EARNS a sponsorship – regardless of family income – that pays a portion of their cost. This sponsorship holds each student accountable for his or her commitment of local service and planning. Unless that commitment is complete, the student does not go on the international service trip.

These sponsorships – your commitment to invest in the humanitarian service ethic of Utah’s young people – are ultimately what make Youthlinc an effective youth service program. Though only 5-20% of our incoming class of students has any significant service history, 60-93% of our alums (depending on survey year) report that they continue to volunteer regularly. This is an amazing jump in service commitment.

Our Annual Benefit is a key way we raise sponsorship funds. Come to our Annual Benefit on Thursday, May 19 at La Caille and you will experience this:

1. A sold out crowd of Youthlinc supporters and their friends: the nicest people you will ever meet.
2. Youthlinc 2011 Service Year students from all over Utah to greet you, meet you, and make your evening filled with their enthusiasm for local and international service.
3. The most unusual silent auction you’ve ever seen: treasures from all of our international sites, as well as interesting items from all over Utah.
4. The piano stylings of Craig Kaelin, renowned Utah musician and recording artist
5. Ethereal harp music from Utah artist Lauren Mitchell
6. Flash mob entertainment by Acting Up, SCLERA YOUTH THEATRE performers
7. A photo booth where you can be as serious or ridiculous as you please, all to create a memory of the 2011 Youthlinc Annual Benefit with friends and family.
8. Really delicious and elegant food at La Caille, whose generous in-kind donations have made this evening possible.

9. Our emcee: 2010 Utah Young Humanitarian (and Youthlinc Service Year Kenya alum) Kajsa Vlasic
10. Our invocation by Reverend Scott Hayashi of the Utah Episcopal Diocese
11. The 2011 Lifetime Humanitarian Award given each year to an individual who exemplifies a life of service in Utah.
12. The 2011 Utah Young Humanitarian Award given to a Utah secondary or undergraduate student who excels at giving back to the community. This young person receives a $5,000 college scholarship, and there are three $1,000 runner-up Awards, given by the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation.
13. Live auction of an original oil painting by Hser Ner Moo Center teen refugees who are part of our Real Life in SLC, afterschool mentoring program

100% of the proceeds of our 2011 Annual Benefit will directly support Youthlinc because of the generous sponsorship of US Bank, Nate Wade Subaru, and Heritage Bank. Thank you wonderful sponsors!

Thank you incredible Benefit committee: Charlene Barton, Scott Bawden, Carolyn Buma, Shelly Burningham, Brandee Butler, Patricia Egbert, Nicole Ekberg, Brenda Hall, Margareta Hjorth-Vlasic, Shauna Hoj, Teresa Larsen, Maria Moynihan, Ellie Nazzal, Jody Osteyee, DeeAnna Phelps, Kim Smart, Julia Wee, Andrea White, Judy Zone

To rsvp, call our office 801-467-4417, email office@youthlinc.org or go to our website www.youthlinc.org click Donate at the top of the page, click the DONATE NOW button and pay by check or credit card in seconds. Be sure to Specify Fund: Annual Benefit RSVP $75 p/p $750 for a table of ten.

Thank you for your support and we’ll see you on May 19 at La Caille.

One of 14 finalists will be Utah's Young Humanitarian 2011: $5,000 college scholarship

The first round results are in! The application judges for the 2011 Young Humanitarian Award have returned their choices and these fourteen amazing Utah youth have been selected from 73 applicants state-wide to move on to the final round of judging in this prestigious award.

Interviews of the finalists will be held April 30th and the top four will be selected to attend Youthlinc's Annual Benefit at LaCallie on May 19th where the winner of the $5,000 scholarship will be announced. Three runner-up awards of $1,000 will also be given that night.

Take a look at what the finalists have been doing to serve their communities!

BYU Senior, David Williams, has served extensively with 2ft Prosthetics where he is the Executive Director and Chairman of the Board. He works with the non-profit to restore self-confidence to amputees in developing countries through the production and distribution of quality prostheses. He has also worked with BYU Global Engineering Outreach, Habitat for Humanity, and Kaizen, building wheelchair ramps at schools in Mexico. He served an LDS mission in St. Petersburg, Russia.

East High Senior, Andrew Hagedorn, has directed his passion for service toward the homeless in Salt Lake City. He has been involved with Youth for Youth for the last four years where they have raised over $200,000 for the Road Home. He is president of the Youth Government Commission that is also dedicated to helping the homeless in Salt Lake. He also has served with the Neighborhood House, Peer Court and The Children’s Center. He travelled to Mexico on a Youthlinc humanitarian trip in 2010.

Skyline senior, Megan Christensen has an extensive service background dedicated to helping those in need. She is the Community of Caring president at Skyline and has worked with the homeless community through the Salvation Army and organization of school food drives. She is currently part of the Best Buddies program and coaches a Jr. High soccer team. She has also traveled to India as part of a Youth Making a Difference humanitarian trip.

East High Senior, Candy DeLaFuente, has served all over the Salt Lake valley. She has worked with the Bennion Center, the Utah Food Bank and the Utah Humane Society. Her favorite service experiences have been working one-on-one with individuals in need. She was a Youth Teaching Youth volunteer for many years where she taught English to people in Salt Lake City to help them better adjust to life in the United States. She also enjoyed working with the elderly at the Sarah Daft Home.

Utah Valley University Senior, Emily Gillespie has a strong focus on international service through her work with HELP International in Uganda, a Kaizen trip to Mexico and an LDS mission to Chile. At home she has served with the UVU Service and Learning Center and the Canary Garden Family Grief Center. She began her service in high school while serving with the Timpview HOPE Squad focused on suicide prevention for at-risk teens.

Juan Diego Catholic High School student, James Monsoor III has been dedicated to serving others by serving on the Draper Peer Court and working with the Road Home and Christmas Box House. He has a passion working with those in need on the health front demonstrated by his work with the American Cancer Society, Making Strides against Breast Cancer, organizing food drives and volunteering with the Draper City Health Day.

Skyline senior, Sena Hughes is actively involved with Skyline’s Community of Caring and works with the Student Ministry Group at Mount Olympus Presbyterian Church. She has hands on experience with people from all walks of life due to her work with the Hartvigsen School, Learning for Life Camp and the Salt Lake Rescue Mission. She organized a Hoops of Hope Event at her school to combat AIDS, volunteered in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and has travelled to Tanzania and Kenya on humanitarian missions.

BYU Senior, Kirtley Sorenson, has been involved with many service organizations and international service trips. She has worked with the BYU Center for Learning and Service where she was program director, organized the Stitch Club to make bandages and worked with the Women’s Crisis Center. She traveled with HELP International to El Salvador to work with children in orphanages and went to Mexico with Charity Anywhere where she helped build houses for needy families. She served an LDS mission in the Philippines.

University of Utah Senior, Jaimie Riding, has served her community alongside multiple organizations, recently including AmeriCorps and the Bungalow Care Center. Her time at the University of Utah has offered a variety of opportunities to serve through the Bennion Center and Service-Learning scholars, teaching English in China with the Bond Language Institute, and organizing the 2009 Special Olympics. Jaimie also traveled to Peru on a Youthlinc humanitarian trip in 2007. Jaimie started serving others in high school where she was involved in her school’s Interact and Key club and volunteered with Big Brother Big Sister.

Judge Memorial Senior, Jeffrey Scott is the development manager for the Apache Project where he works with St. Charles Elementary on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation. He has worked with the Ulster Peace Project since 2008 which promotes peace in Northern Ireland by hosting workshops in Salt Lake focused on communication and conflict resolution. He has also worked with the Boy Scouts of America, referees for a youth lacrosse league and is a member of Rotary Interact Club.

USU freshman, Amanda Bell has served her community through Special Needs Mutual where she works with disabled youth. She is involved with a local youth group where they have served at multiple locations including the Ronald McDonald House, the Utah Food Bank and free medical clinics. Bell helped the international community while travelling to Fiji with Alliance for Youth Services where the group developed sanitary upgrades for remote villages in the country. She also traveled to Honduras on a humanitarian trip with Project Honduras

West High Senior, Annie Reed is currently working with Amigos de las Americas where she is serving as the assistant training director. She travelled with the group to Paraguay in 2010 and Costa Rica in 2009. She has devoted her attention within this group to environmental health. She serves her home community through her work with the Salt Lake Peer Court, the Utah Food Bank, Deseret Bakery and Pajamas for Utah Charities.

Weber High Senior, Morgan Henrie has dedicated much of her service to working with the Pleasant View Youth Council where they work towards community improvement by running a soup kitchen, regularly visiting with the elderly, cleaning public areas and collecting gifts and food for those in need during the holidays. She has also been involved in tutoring elementary school children with disabilities at an Ogden school and has organizing community activities with the Boys and Girls Club as the High School Club Officer.

Westminster sophomore, Cara Cerise, is dedicated to the equality and inclusion of all people. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Inclusion Center for Community and Justice. She is working toward HIV prevention as a Woman’s Health Intern at the Utah Pride Center where she is also a translator. She has served as a camp counselor as Camp Anytown since 2006. At age 16 she founded the Utah chapter of Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere to support Utah’s youth. She has travelled to Paraguay on a humanitarian trip with Amor y Esperanza where she worked with elementary students.

Job opening at Youthlinc: International Service & Development Director. Apply now!

Youthlinc is hiring an International Service & Development Director. Position should be filled by mid to late May.

Youthlinc is a great place to work. If you like working with youth, like international travel, have great people skills (and social media skills :-), management & public relations skills, event & project planning experience, understand our mission of creating lifetime humanitarians, & our culture of service. Apply now. Check it out!

Organization Overview: Youthlinc is a Utah based youth service non-profit Organization whose mission is to create lifetime humanitarians through the local and international service activities we organize for our participants. For more information about Youthlinc, visit our web site www.youthlinc.org

Position Overview:
The International Service & Development Director administers, develops, supports, and strengthens all international aspects of our Service Year.

At the beginning of each school year, Youthlinc accepts mentors (professionals from all fields) and secondary, college, and graduate students from all over Utah into our Service Year. Approximately 225 people participate annually. These individuals form teams, attending monthly meetings where they work in committees to plan education, community health, vocational training, microenterprise, cultural exchange, and construction service activities. These activities are implemented when the teams travel to Kenya, Peru, Thailand, Cambodia, and Guatemala each summer at the end of the Service Year.

International service duties:
1. Work with our in-country coordinators and local travel agents to make all travel arrangements (airfare, accommodation, transport, etc.) for our teams internationally, establish and monitor program costs and payment schedules for each Service Year team.
2. Work with in-country coordinators, international community leaders, and Service Year team leaders to develop sustainable projects where we partner to increase quality of life for those we serve.
3. Provide team oversight, especially working with team leaders and mentors, to ensure quality planning and international service experiences for our students, where they take ownership and leadership.
4. Provide oversight for team fundraisers for international projects, ensuring organization and financial accountability.
5. Maintain, update, and improve all documents associated with our Service Year, including Applications, Team Leader and Participant Binders, Team Leadership Reports, International Community Partnership Agreements, Microenterprise Manual, etc.

Development duties:
1. Represent Youthlinc, our mission of and strategies for creating lifetime humanitarians through our Service Year, at presentations throughout the state, to new audiences, our Board, donors, and to program participants.
2. Write grant proposals for funding of international projects, and actively seek new funding.
3. Work with our webmaster to update our website whenever needed, work with our team leaders and participants to keep our blog current and interesting, take primary responsibility for daily posts and activity on our Facebook Page, and develop other social media for the Organization that will maintain and improve our communication with supporters and alumni.
4. Work with Executive Director to update all informational and promotional materials.
5. Assist with Annual Benefit and any other Benefit event.

Required Skills:
• Experience working with secondary and college students.
• Experience with international service activities.
• Management skill and project oversight experience.
• Excellent social skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Good public speaking skills.
• Competence in all common computer software.
• Demonstrated ability to self-start, learn new skills, work independently.

Preferred Background:
1. Bachelor’s degree in related area
2. Fundraising and grant writing experience
3. Familiarity with social media
4. Work experience with non-profits or related field

Salary: $33,000 is negotiable depending on experience, includes a stipend which may be used to cover health insurance premiums. A SIMPLE IRA with matching contributions is available.

To apply: Email cover letter stating your qualifications, resume, two letters of recommendation which reflect your competence to fulfill the job responsibilities to Youthlinc Executive Director Judy Zone judy@youthlinc.org

Kudos to Park City & Heber Youthlinc supporters, Benefit Committee for a great event!

Just wanted to take the time to thank the Park City and Heber community for their support at the Youthlinc benefit, March 31. It was a wonderful evening and a great opportunity to share the past successes of Youthlinc and what we have planned for the future.

Special thanks go out to the Kimball Art Center for providing space for our event, Mark Granger for the lovely guitar accompaniment, the Wintzer family for arranging the delicious food from Good Karma, and the many merchants who donated items for our silent auction.

We'd also like to thank Randy Barton and KPCW, as well as The Park Record, for helping to get the word out about our event and the mission of Youthlinc. Also, thanks to the many volunteers, including Youthlinc students past and present, who made it all happen:

The Benefit Committee: Derick Loyola, Amy Andrade, Mary Wintzer, David Wintzer, Jeff & Ramona Daun, Kimber Parry, Del Barney, Maura Robbins, Ellie Stephens, Cassandra Lien, Ginny Queri, Tamatha Smith.

And our terrific student and alum volunteers: Isabelle Von Rosen, Emma Stephens, Cole Robbins, Sarah Duensing, Mallory Denison, Morgan Dewey, Jessie DuPre, Shandy Smith, Tori Daun.

Thanks to all of you and the many people who attended, Youthlinc will be able to involve even more students from the Park City/Heber City area in our mission of creating lifetime humanitarians who continue to make a difference in the lives of many, locally and internationally.

Here are the 73 applicants for 2011 Utah Young Humanitarian!

These are the high school and undergraduate college students from all over the state whose applications are currently being judged by a panel of community leaders. We'll know on April 13 who has made it to the Interview stage of the selection process. It's so exciting! Utah's Young Humanitarian receives a $5,000 college scholarship, and there are three $1,000 Awards. These young people represent some of our state's youth who excel at giving back to their communities. Thank you for sending in your application, and good luck to you all!

Alexandra Dade Butler, Park City High
Alexis Alfredo Frias, Ben Lomond High
Amanda Nicole Bell, Utah State University
Andrew Walker Hagedorn, East High
Annie Reed, West High
Ashleigh Janae O'Connor, So. Utah University
Ashton Josephine Palmer, Cottonwood High
Austin William Emch, Riverton High
Autumn Anne Smith, Beaver High
Brooke Diane Mariger, University of Utah
Bryson Richard Ensign, East High
Candy Guadalupe DeLaFuente, East High
Cara Juliet Cerise, Westminster College
Catherine Elizabeth Urie, Utah Valley University
Celene Salazar, Wendover High
Courtney Jensen, Bear River High
David Delon Williams, BYU
Elise Marie Pearson, Park City High
Elli Allisa Farmer, South Summit High
Emily Nicole Gillespie, Utah Valley University
Erin Michelle Jones, Lone Peak High
Esmeralda Blanca Arreola, Wendover High
Felicity Spring Cribbs, Taylorsville High
Gessica Diane Stovall, Utah Valley University
Gregory Taysom Bates, Utah Valley University
Hannah Karina Jackson, Layton High
Hayley Stembridge, Utah Valley University
India Eve Henrichsen, West High
Jacob Michael Henry, Maple Mountain High
Jaimie Lynn Riding, University of Utah
James Monsoor III, Juan Diego H.S.
Jeffrey William Scott, Judge Memorial
Jessica Gunderson, Grantsville High
Julia Marin Snow, Wasatch High
Kabrina Michelle Bowman, Cottonwood High
Kaitlin Pollei, University of Utah
Karli Dawn Fonger, Grantsville High
Karsyn Marie Robb, Park City High
Katelin Jean Allen, Viewmont High
Katelyn Anne Frost, BYU
Katelyn Christine Burnett, Springville High
Kaycee Harper, Bountiful High
Kayla Susan Orr, Alta High
Kayleena Jean Soren, LDS Business College
Kirtley Ann Sorensen, BYU
Lauren Valeen Wignall, Utah Valley University
Lindsay Draper, Logan High
Lindsay Kay Goodrich, Utah Valley University
Lindy Jayne Brown, Clearfield High
Mckell Hunsaker, Mountain Crest High
Megan Christensen, Skyline High
Megan Hall, Brighton High
Melissa Lauryn Jones, Bingham High
Mia Washburn, Davis High
Michael Erickson, Salt Lake Community
Michael Parker Chapple , University of Utah
Mikyla Gull, University of Utah
Mindy Nicole Ford, University of Utah
Morgan Rachel Henrie, Weber High
Polina Vyazovkina, University of Utah
Rebecca Allison Pace, Olympus High
Ruth Arevalo, University of Utah
Sara Ashley Byington, Viewmont High
Sarah Catherina Price, East High
Sarah Elizabeth Anderson , Tooele High
Sena Michelle Hughes, Skyline High
Shea Aldana, University of Utah
Shea Lexis Allen, Timpview High
Theodore Karl Tyler, East High
Tori Jessica Daun, Wasatch High
Turia Andrus, Utah Valley University
Victoria Lynn Black, San Juan High
Zachary Aden Stay, Mountain View High

Who will be the next Utah's Young Humanitarian? 73 applications for the $5,000 scholarship

We have passed the deadline for applications to be turned in for this year's Young Humanitarian Award. This $5,000.00 college scholarship is awarded to an inspiring young person in Utah who has excelled in giving back to their community, and let me tell you, I have seen some incredible applications come into the office this year! We are SO excited to have 73 amazing Utah students in the running to receive the title of Youthlinc's 2011 Young Humanitarian. This year's award is sponsored by the George & Dolores Eccles Foundation, Deseret News, and US Bank.

The application judges are in the process of reviewing the applications and interviews with the top 10 finalists will be held April 30th in downtown Salt Lake City. The winner and runners up will receive their awards at the Annual Benefit and Silent Auction held this year at LaCaille on May 19, 2011. We hope you all will attend!

We will keep you posted as the finalists are chosen!

Equipo de Peru en Abril!

I sat thinking yesterday as I left the Youthlinc office about how VERY little time is left until we all head out to Peru! crazy. no. absolutely insane. It feels like yesterday we were all at orientation, and talk of July felt years away. Now, we only have two more meetings to pull this all together. What a rush, right? There have been some sudden changes and things to work out, but we are definitely making progress. Unfortunately we had to say goodbye to our mentor Mikaela Ray, who will no longer be joining us in Peru! Mikaela you are awesome, and thanks for all your hard work! Tori Daun is now stepping up to be the team mentor, and we are also very excited about that!

We have some other new additions to our team as well! Robbie Levine will now be our mentor for the cross-cultural committee! Robbie is from Salt Lake and works for the Utah Attorney General's office, and serves on the Board Of Self-Reliance of Utah. She has an adult daughter will disabilities, as well as her youngest child graduating this year from West High School. She is most excited about getting out of Utah, and seeing the world now that all her kids have grown up! Thanks Robbie, we are excited to get to know you better!

Melissa Kunkle moved here from Ohio two years ago and works at Primary Children's Hospital. She will be helping as a mentor to the medical team. She heard about Youthlinc from the American Academy of Pediatrics, and thought it sounded cool to help out! She is very excited to meet the people of Peru and work with the Youthlinc Participants.

We began our meeting with these team updates, and then got the ball rolling. The new T-shirts were passed out, (which are awesome by the way!) and then Jeff showed us some items we need to remember to pack for Peru. A sample lesson plan was given to the Youthlinc participants so they can understand how to model their lessons for when we are in Peru. Remember to:

-use objects and pictures!

-be interactive, don't just lecture to the kids the whole time.

-teach them concepts, and try to play a game in which they can apply what they have learned!

I think one of the most important aspects of our meeting was when we discussed our clothing needs. Peru team members, listen up! We need to start collecting these items:

75 Adult Medium T-shirts

75 Adult Small T-shirts

75 Youth Large T-shirts

75 Youth Medium T-shirts

75 Youth Small T-shirts

Soccer shorts in all sizes

Socks-adult 150 pair, child 150 pair

Shoes-nothing larger than a men's 8, mostly smaller than this! tennis shoes and CLEATS

underwear in various sizes.

So refrain from your DI trips, and start collecting these clothes. Tell your friends and families too! These people are really going to appreciate any article of clothing they can get. thanks!

As for the education committee, our biggest goal at this point is to start collecting 125 school kits for the children in Palmeras. We are trying to obtain, notebooks, pens and pencils, rulers, crayons, chalk, and any fun interactive learning games! Also, we need bags for all these things as well. Our lesson topics will be divided out to each person on the team in the May meeting! So be prepared to start coming up with some awesome lesson plans! I am extremely excited for this.

Most committees at this point are working on fundraising for their specific supplies for Peru. Keep up the good work everybody, and keep in your hearts the people who are on the receiving end of all this hard work. It will be totally worth it.

I can't wait to see the finally outcome of each committees work. I know this is going to be an incredible experience, and worth the stress of fundraising. Until the may meeting, keep on asking for donations! We will take any help we can get. Buenos Dias!