Do our Service Year teams work hard internationally? Check it out - the schedule for one of our Vietnam teams!

Here is an example of how our teams work in country.

Our standing committees are:
Education (always involving English teaching as requested by the villages we partner with)
Health (our 'medical' committee which focuses are basic health and sanitation needs, as well as question & answer sessions with our medical professionals)
Microenterprise (teaching small business lessons, setting up small loans & animal exchanges)
Vocational Training (teaching requested and common skills needed to set up a business or support a family)
Construction (we build everything from schools to medical clinics - in Vietnam we are building homes for the community's most needy residents)
Oral Histories (a part of our Cultural Exchange committee, these interactions help our U.S. students understand the lives of the people we are partnering with).

Even though each Youthlinc student (and mentor) has a primary area of focus and leadership, we feel it is important that every person does a little of everything, so that each person gets the big picture of international service.

Here is a working schedule of how that might happen, courtesy of one of our Vietnam Team Leaders, Justin Powell, who like ALL our just incredible Team Leaders, puts his all into the activities of our participants in-country. It gives you an idea of how hard our team members work! Thanks all!

Four critical ways we keep our teams safe and sound

Keeping our teams safe and healthy is our top priority at Youthlinc. We take it very seriously. Here are the precautions we take to make sure you, or your loved one gets home safe and sound.

1. We send staff or representatives on site visits before-hand to make an assessment of the destination. In each of the rural villages we stay in, we make certain: 

• We develop partnership with community leaders and in-country coordinators
• The village is safe, easily accessible by vehicle, and close to medical facility 
• The team will have access to safe and reliable drinking water and food 
• The team will stay in safe and clean accommodations, with running water 

2.  We maintain close contact with our in-country coordinators.
Our in-country coordinators are respected Rotarians in their communities, NGO staff, and leaders in their villages. With our students in mind, they help us determine projects, notify us of potential risks, and help us ensure that our transportation company, accommodations and restaurants are credible, safe and appropriate to the needs of our teams.

3.  We prepare our teams for their trips.

• Every team members signs the Code of Conduct, which outlines basic rules such as not engaging in illegal behavior, following directions of the Team Leader, and staying with the team at all times. Team Leaders and mentors are strict on these rules when the teams are in country, so much so that a team member will be sent home from a trip if in violation of the rules.
• Youthlinc requires that any participants over 18 receive a background check. 
• Each of our teams has a medical professional accompanying the team
• Each minor participant must have a medical check-up to ensure that it is safe for them to travel. A Medical Release Form must be signed by a physician in order for a minor to accompany the team. 
• Each participant must sign a Medical Information Form stating that they have received information about traveling healthy. They have the option of providing confidential information about their health conditions that would help our volunteer medical staff meet their healthcare needs. 
• Through a 10 year partnership with the University of Utah International Travel Clinic, we send team members for a briefing on how to prevent disease and illness while traveling, and an opportunity to receive recommended vaccinations. 
• We institute the "Safety Minute" where teams reflect on possible dangers in any activity several times a day. The essential part of a Safety Moment is to engage as many individuals as possible in the thought process of 'what could go wrong' in order to avoid those possible risks. 
• We offer team members a list of Traveling Tips that outlines what participants should pack, ways of preventing basic illnesses and accidents while traveling and working.

4.  We purchase emergency medical insurance for each team member.
This insurance is part of the cost of the international service trip and is purchased through Wallach and Company, covered by MEDEX HealthCare Global. The insurance includes $250,000 in medical expense benefits, including: accident, sickness, medical evacuation, emergency reunion, repatriation of remains, emergency dental, and $25,000 for accidental death and dismemberment.

Youthlinc's Emergency Medical Insurance for participants

Youthlinc purchases Emergency Medical Insurance for all Youthlinc participants.  Below is the policy description.  Participants have $250,000 in Medical Expense Benefit ($500 Deductible), $25,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment, and $1,000 for the Evacuation Benefit.  

The Medical Expense Benefits include benefit for:

• Accidental and Sickness
• Medical Evacuation
• Emergency Reunion
• Repatriation of Remains
• Emergency Dental

Youthlinc's "Safety Moment" for keeping teams safe while traveling

They say mothers have ‘eyes in the back of their heads’. The same must be true of Team and Alum Leaders, and good Youthlinc mentors and participants. To help us all develop these very useful ‘eyes’, Youthlinc has instituted the Safety Minute to be used as often as needed (several times a day) on all international service trips.

The basic concept is that Team and Alum Leaders, and anyone in charge of any activity, should pause with the participants for a moment, and together assess out loud any dangers or accidents or health issues that could arise in the course of the activity. If a ‘Safety Moment’ is used often, many potential hazards can be avoided. It is impossible to mention every time or every occasion or every consideration that should be taken account of in a Safety Moment. The most important part of a Safety Moment is to look around, and engage as many individuals as possible in the thought process of ‘what could go wrong’.

For example, upon arriving at an airport departure gate, the Team Leader could: 

Youthlinc Code of Conduct

If you are a Youthlinc participant, you've signed the Youthlinc Code of Conduct.  By signing this form, which was in your initial application, you have agreed to the following:

I agree to obey and sustain the law of the United States and of the country associated with my Youthlinc program and will continue to do so while participating in a Youthlinc program. I agree to make honest and complete declarations at customs.

I will respect the property rights of others. This includes refraining from shoplifting, concealment, damage, or misuse of the property of others.

I am not involved nor will I become involved in drug use, including possession, use, or distribution of any narcotic or dangerous drug (as defined by applicable law), except as prescribed by a licensed medical practitioner. I understand that underage drinking as per U.S. law is prohibited on a Youthlinc trip.

I will respect the rights of others during the entire Youthlinc program, in Utah and internationally. This includes not physically or verbally abusing any person, sexually harassing any person, or engaging in behaviors which endanger the health or safety of others, not obstructing or disrupting the privacy of others, or the performance of Youthlinc activities at the direction of leaders associated with the program.

I will respect the rules and directions stated by Youthlinc team leaders. I will stay with the group, and participate in all group activities, unless otherwise directed by the team leaders. It is my objective in participating in a Youthlinc program to be part of the team and to assist in the accomplishment of activities associated with the program.

Introducing Utah's 2013 Young Humanitarian

Over 95 amazing applicants submitted applications to be the 2013 Utah Young Humanitarian.  Of these applicants, Megan Dolle won the prestigious title, and award of $5,000 for college.   

Megan is a student at the University of Utah pursuing a double major in Spanish and International Studies. She is a student at the Honors College and is a part of the Bennion Center Community Engaged Learning Certificate Program. One of Megan’s most fondest service activities was her trip to Yanamono, Peru with Youthlinc in 2012. She taught lessons on public health, built bridges, painted classrooms, taught English and aided in micro-finance and vocational activities.  She will be visiting Yanamono again in 2013 with Youthlinc as a Cultural

Introducing the 2013 Youthlinc 2013 Lifetime Humanitarian

Our 2013 Youthlinc Lifetime Humanitarian is Britnie Powell.  Though we usually honor individuals with a few more gray hairs, this relatively young woman has distinguished herself through more service, locally and internationally, than most people twice her age could hope to accomplish.

In Cambodia as Team Leader

Because she came from a very service minded family, Britnie has been aware of and actively engaged in helping others since childhood. In high school, Britnie joined joined the first ever Youthlinc team in 1999. After completing 100 hours of local service, mostly at Cottonwood Hospital, Britnie traveled with the team of just 16 students and 4 mentors to Samburu, Kenya.  On this trip, we came to know her as a committed humanitarian and exceptionally hard worker, and as a very funny person. She kept the team in stitches, reciting entire movie scripts, horsing around with the Kenyan children even those she was helping at a meager medical clinic. She was the 'Patch Adams' of the group, making even the most ill child smile with her shenanigans.

The year after her Youthlinc Service Year, she traveled back to Kenya with another 'Youthlinc First Year' student to work in a classroom for kids with disabilities. There she met Caroline, who became a cause for these two young Utahns. Caroline was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, a birth defect that causes facial disfiguration, and a lack of an ear canal. Though Caroline's inner ear functioned, she lacks an outer ear, so hearing is difficult. Britnie entered the Miss Murray, Utah competition to raise awareness of Caroline's condition, and raise funds for a special hearing aid for the child. In 2006, another Youthlinc team delivered this hearing aid to Caroline in Kenya.

Britnie has also participated in an international service trip to Guatemala with another Organization, and she traveled to China to teach English for three months.
There has never been a year since 1999 when Britnie has not volunteered with Youthlinc. She has done student presentations, been part of our Benefit committees, and since 2006, she has served as a team leader  to Thailand, Kenya, Cambodia, Peru and is the current Team Leader for our Vietnam Team. This year she will be bringing her baby with her to Vietnam, introducing him to serve at even a younger age than she was involved!

Britnie with her new son, Atticus

Britnie's influence on the Youthlinc Service Year curriculum has been consistent and wide ranging. She has been a mentor for many new team leaders, has been instrumental in molding our committee structure, our microenterprise program, our Team Leader Binders. She has undertaken site visits in Southeast Asia, a critical part of assuring the productivity and safety of our teams.  Judy Zone, the Youthlinc Founder, readily admits that, outside of herself, there is only one person who has done more to shape Youthlinc: Britnie Powell.


Locally, Britnie has - through the course of her life - volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club, Cottonwood Hospital, a battered women's shelter, tutored ESL students, made meals for the homeless, and has been involved in Sub-4-Santa for many years. In 2005, as Britnie was finishing her undergraduate degree, she was the very first Youthlinc Utah Young Humanitarian.

Britnie currently teaches 6th grade at Salt Lake Center for Science Education. Her tremendous emphasis on service learning has been featured in local newspapers, and her principal reports that she is a model for other teachers at the school. Britnie has her M.Ed. and has taught other teachers to teach not only content, but service as part of their curricula. She is the Service Learning Club adviser at SLCSE for years, inspiring students of all ages to give back to their communities. Her students are involved in a range of service activities: supporting a local care center for the elderly, environmental projects, organic gardening, helping the humane society, and they have even helped Youthlinc put together hygiene kits!

So it is with deep gratitude and respect for a lifetime of accomplishments that we honor Britnie with this Award. She has inspired hundreds, even thousands, of people on a path of service, awareness, and engagement. It is impossible to estimate all those who will be touched by her enthusiasm, heart, intelligence and passion for helping others throughout the rest of what we know will be her long and productive life.

Where are these Young Humanitarians now?

So many incredible young adults apply for our Young Humanitarian Award every year. We are always blown away with how inspiring these applicants are and the beautiful ways they are impacting the world.

We want to highlight a few of our past Young Humanitarian winners and finalists-- and their lasting commitment to service.  They each walk different paths, but have the same final goal:  to serve others.  Thank you Don, Chelsea and Lisa for sharing! 

Don Willie (2006 Young Humanitarian)

Where is he:

Don works in the Office of the Governor of Utah, serving as the Policy Analyst while pursuing a Masters of Public Administration at the University of Utah...all while anticipating the arrival of his first child. 

Service involvement:

He continues to serve in the community and at the University of Utah. His passion in service has most recently focused on civic engagement and working with community members to become more active in local and state government. Don and his wife also conducted a humanitarian trip to Cambodia last summer where they taught many medical and hygiene lessons and distributed hygiene kits.

What does he want to tell people about service:

"Service is a cornerstone of my life. Being able to combine my passion for community service and participatory government has afforded me the tremendous opportunity to have a positive impact on our community through policy research and development. In my free time, I find great reward in serving the community by increasing civic participation and involvement." 

Chelsea Gould (2007 Young Humanitarian)

Where is she:

Even with having to undergo open heart surgery last year, Chelsea continues to work towards positive change on a global level. She is studying Public Health and Minoring in International Development at BYU.  Her goal:  to learn how to implement changes in NGO's and create better sustainable development (especially in the health sector) throughout the world.  Amazing!

Service Involvement:

Chelsea can't wait until she graduates this next fall, she is feeling better and can't wait to put it to use! On the days she feels better, she loves to go volunteer at an Alzheimer's Unit which is where she finds a lot of joy and some of her best friends.

What does she want to tell people about service:

"Service is what has brought me the most joy and fulfillment in my life. My capacity to love, grow, learn, and be happy comes when I am reaching outside of myself and helping those around me. Life has meaning and purpose when we are lifting others - whether on large-scale projects, or simply taking time to notice the little things that need to be done to lift another. We can't sit back and expect the world to be better if we are not continually doing our part to help and I will do my very best to never stop trying."

Lisa Moynihan (2012 Young Humanitarian)

Where is she at:

Lisa has been hard at work during her first year of teaching. She is teaching junior high, and is currently working with 8th graders. She has almost successfully survived her first year!

Service Involvement:

This year she implemented a service program for her 8th grade class to make regular visits to a local assisted living facility (Wentworth Assisted Living). They visit with the residents on Sunday afternoons doing everything from crafts to singing songs. All of her students have participated in the program. Lisa is also a cultural committee mentor on the 2013 Youthlinc Peru team.

What does she want to tell people about service:

"Service has always been what has given my life meaning. I crave to work for and with others. As I near the completion of my first year of teaching, I now understand why I was drawn to the profession in the first place. Teaching is one of the most rewarding careers, because you get to give of yourself to your students. I get to share and pass on my love of service to the next generation. It has given me a whole new perspective on and appreciation for service in my life."

Meet the 2013 Young Humanitarian Award Finalists!

This year 95 amazing applicants submitted application for the 2013 Utah Young Humanitarian Award. Four finalists have been selected from the original group and each will be receiving a scholarship for their commitment to service in the Utah community.  The winner of the 2013 Utah Young Humanitarian Award will be announced at the Youthlinc Annual Benefit on May 11, 2013 at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center and will receive a $5,000 college scholarship.  The 3 runner ups will receive a $1,000 college scholarship.  

We are proud to introduce the 4 finalists! 

Ruth Arevalo 

Throughout Ruth's life she has had an insatiable wanderlust and passion to not just learn about but to truly know other cultures and people of the world. Despite an evolving home and family life, she has persevered in her studies and maintained a hunger to understand the world.  She jumped feet first into the field of culinary arts at a young age and allowed her love of food and passion of culture to take her through multiple countries and life changing experiences.  Her work and ambitions led her to return to Salt Lake in 2007 with the desire to work with many communities locally.  Ranging from simple volunteer work with the Red Cross and the 4th Street Clinic to working extensively within many refugee communities, Ruth has had her hand in many worthy causes right here in Utah.   Working with and mentoring youth, teaching English, working with Women of the World, educating on domestic and sexual violence, working with immigrant populations, working on climate justice, fundraising, and doing outreach are all tasks that Ruth currently takes on with excitement and determination. 

Sena Belgard

Sena is a student at the University of Utah studying Human Development and Family Studies with a minor in Leadership Studies. She holds multiple student leader positions in the Bennion Center, is a service-learning scholar and a member of the scholar’s leadership team. Sena is a program director for the Social Justice Gardens where she teaches underprivileged students and their parents how to grow fresh food in their community.  Sena’s service goals are to impact her community by continuing to serve the families who garden at the Social Justice Gardens, finish the service-learning scholars designation with her degree and continue to serve and make an impact in others lives.

Megan Dolle

Megan is currently a student at the University of Utah pursuing a double major in Spanish and International Studies. She is a student at the Honors College and is a part of the Bennion Center Community Engaged Learning Certificate Program. One of Megan’s most fondest service activities was her trip to Yanamono, Peru with Youthlinc in 2012. She taught lessons on public health, built bridges, painted classrooms, taught English and aided in micro-finance and vocational activities.  She will be visiting Yanamono again in 2013 with Youthlinc as a Cultural Committee Mentor. Megan has also served with the Real Life Salt Lake City (RLSLC) mentoring program for teenage refugees for the past two years. This year, she serves as the Youthlinc Local Service Intern and has been able to develop meaningful friendships with both refugees and volunteers at RLSLC.  In addition, Megan has been involved with and held leadership positions in a variety of service clubs and organizations including Salt Lake County Youth Government, ONE.org, Good in the Hood, Salt Lake City Rotaract, ASUU Community Service, and more. Megan strives to set an example for her peers and inspire them to make a difference in their community. She has learned the value of meaningful, dedicated service to communities and the profound life-changing effects it provokes. Megan has discovered what it takes to be a true humanitarian and will continue pursuing her passion for service. 

Jessie DuPre 


Jessie is a second year student at the University of Utah studying Psychology and Human Biology in the Honors Program.  This year, she has worked as a Sustainability Ambassador at the Office of Sustainability on campus and currently works with the youth at Red Butte Garden teaching kids' science classes.  Jessie remains involved on campus as she pursues and assists with research in the Psychology Department in a Health Psych and Developmental Psych lab.  She has focused her service efforts on engaging others in service at her position as the Bennion Center Service Corps Chair, and assists in a special education classroom at Bryant Middle School where she has fallen in love with her students.