Intro meeting for Cambodia Friends & Family Trip: Sat. January 14, 4pm Youthlinc office

Chum-reap-sua!

Come to the first team meeting/informational meeting about our 2012 Cambodia Friends & Family Trip: Saturday, January 14, 2012 4pm at the Youthlinc office. Email miriam@youthlinc.org to RSVP.

Mint and cilantro tied in bunches lay drooping next to the taro roots and galangal. Bins full of bright red, orange, and yellow curry powders are adorned with garlands of starfish anise and chili peppers. Lumpy purple mangosteens, jungle green avocados and mangoes are stacked in pyramids next to the freshly cuts spears of golden pineapple and papaya. Bins of fried grasshoppers, tarantulas, and cockroaches, lightly salted, entice the local passersby. Tuk-tuk drivers lazily yell out from their coaches for fares, smiles on their faces and in their eyes. It’s another day in Cambodia: the site for 2012 Youthlinc Friends and Family trip.

Youthlinc is stoked to be returning to the village of Peak Sneng in northwestern Cambodia from June 10 to June 23rd, 2012.  Peak Sneng is a village about one hour away from Siem Reap, the burgeoning town next to Angkor Wat. Though Youthlinc participants will be staying in pretty nice accommodations in Siem Reap, Peak Sneng truly is a rural place. There is no electricity, no paved roads, no indoor plumbing, and very few vehicles. It is a beautiful, sleepy place nestled in a jungle of trees and full of people with smiles so welcoming you’ll feel like you’re home on day one.

Welcome to Peak Sneng

In June 2011, Youthlinc traveled for the first time to Cambodia and started many amazing projects that we are stoked to be following up on and improving this coming year. We have a school garden to help maintain, a livestock-exchange program to oversee, water filters for families to install, children to play with, young parents to support, and community leaders with whom to plan for the future.

Angkor Wat

SR-21 Prison Victims

 On this trip, we will be flying into Phnom Penh to visiting the SR-21 prison/torture camp and Killing Fields to learn first hand about the devastation of the Cambodian Genocide which killed an estimated 2 million people, which was more than 20% of the country's population.

From there, we will head up to Siem Reap, where we will be staying for the remainder of the trip at cozy Mom's Guesthouse, complete with a salt water pool.  From Siem Reap we will travel daily to the village of Peak Sneng to work.

We will be working on the Livestock Exchange program, teaching English & health lessons, installing water filters at people's homes, installing playground equipment, and mingling with the locals- just to name a few of the many activities! We need your help and your special talents to make these and other projects are successful. In addition, we will be visiting a floating village, a land mine museum, and of course, the magnificent Angkor Wat temples!

APPLY NOW!

Monks at Angkor

Angkor Wat

Night Market

Floating Village

Teaching

Peak Sneng

Angkor Wat

Bayon

Yummy Treats

Floating Village

Cute School Kids

Ta Phrom

Ta Phrom

Assembly at the School

Thank You Note

An era ends: a tribute to our Accountant & Treasurer for 12 years: Sara Conger

In 1998, I asked Sara where she would like to go for a high school graduation trip, and the rest of the story is Youthlinc history.

We went to Kenya that summer, connected with people in an underdeveloped country, and had our eyes opened to the abject poverty that exists in this world. Because Sara and her high school friends had volunteered with Salt Lake’s homeless for two years, we made connections between local and international service. The connection we made was the difference young people can make if they become relied upon volunteers. That was the seed of Youthlinc that has grown over the past 13 years to become the Service Year that has touched so many lives in Utah, Kenya, Mexico, Peru, Thailand, Cambodia… and this year, Guatemala.

So I have – we all have -- a lot to thank Sara for. Not only was she critical to the idea of Youthlinc, she has been critical to its development as a financially stable, thriving, and eminently accountable non-profit organization.

If my daughter was not an accounting major in college, when Youthlinc began, I don’t know who would have done the books for the fledgling non-profit – and done them for free. If she had not gone on to become a CPA, and now a financial analyst, I don’t know who would have made sure we did things exactly the right way, so professionally. Now when we are turning over our books to an accounting firm, we get accolades for our record keeping system and financial accountability.

I am an ‘accidental’ non-profit manager. People who start a non-profit have no idea how much work they are getting themselves into. There is no question in my mind that Youthlinc would not have survived if Sara was not somehow fortuitously my daughter – right there—and willing to donate her time.

Youthlinc started with 20 participants. It’s grown slowly but steadily. We have more than 220 people participate in our Service Year now. We’ve added the Young Humanitarian Award, the Utah Local Service Directory, and the Real Life in SLC teen refugee mentoring program.

Sara’s life has grown steadily as well. She lives in Sacramento with her husband, Steve, and two daughters: Ruby who will be five, and Gwen who is 15 months old. She has a more than full time job as a financial analyst for Teichert, the largest and oldest commercial construction firm in northern California. Youthlinc is so close to her heart, but after 12 years as Treasurer and our accountant, she just can’t do a part-time job in addition to all of her responsibilities.

It’s a bittersweet parting of our professional lives for me. I’ve loved working with her. I can’t thank her enough for her patience, guidance, and incredible effort on behalf of the Organization we created together. But Youthlinc will always have her gifts to build on, and fortunately there are so many others now ready to put a shoulder to the wheel.

Sara, thank you, for your inimitable spirit, invaluable expertise, and herculean efforts that started and sustained the movement that is Youthlinc.

-- Judy Zone, Youthlinc Executive Director and very proud mother.

We are so proud of our Board Chair, David Baugh, who has been elected Partner at Tanner LLC.

David Baugh, Youthlinc Board Chair, has been elected as a new audit partner at Tanner LLC.

Dave has over 15 years of experience in public accounting including 5 years with an international CPA firm.  In addition to his public accounting experience, Dave has 6 years hands-on experience serving as the controller and treasurer of private corporations.  Dave has served companies in various industries including manufacturing, software development, banking, retail, wholesale distributors, mining, medical products, technology, transportation, public utilities, financial institutions, natural resources, not-for-profit organizations, municipalities, school districts, and employee benefit plans. 

Dave graduated Magna Cum Laude from Utah State University with a Masters degree in accounting, an emphasis in accounting information systems and a minor in business administration.  Dave is actively involved in the community and in various organizations. He is a Rotarian, past president of the Northern Utah Chapter of the UACPA, has served on various UACPA committees, is a graduate of the Salt Lake Chamber’s Leadership Utah, and is the Board Chair for Youthlinc, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating lifetime humanitarians.  Dave and his wife Linda have four children and live in Bountiful.

As a Board member, Dave was Chair of our Audit and Compensation Committee. As such, Dave has been instrumental in assuring internal controls procedures for our organization, strategic planning, financial stability, and accountability to our donors. He and his daughter, Madison, traveled with Youthlinc to Peru in 2007.

Our Governing Board inspires us with their reflections on what we do for others

There are a lot of areas in which Youthlinc excels, and one of them has always been our incredibly dedicated Board members. This past Saturday, at our Year End Board meeting, we accomplished a lot to point the Organization in the right direction for our ‘Lucky 13^th’ year in operation.

In addition to all the financial oversight and strategic planning a Board must do, this meeting we also participated in a reflection exercise on the Organization, its mission and its meaning.

The responses of our Board to the questions posed, and the discussion that followed, was so meaningful, we thought to share some highlights with all our Youthlinc family.

We hope as you read these responses, you will be lifted up as we have been by the great heart, spirit, and vision of those who serve on our Board. Much thanks Board Chair David Baugh, Vice Chair Kathleen Dibble, Treasurer Val Petersen, Secretary Judy Zone, and our Officers: Steve Barth, Jason Collier, Scott Leckman, Derick Loyola, John Oglesby, Jody Osteyee, Kimber Parry, Paul Stringham, David Wintzer.

We want to give a special thanks to Sara Conger, who has served as our Board Treasurer and accountant for the past twelve years. It’s a point of fact that Youthlinc would not be what it is today without her guidance and hard work. We love you, Sara. Your influence on this Organization is a permanent gift.

 

Now, here are our Board members’ written responses to some thought provoking questions about the vision and inspiration of our Organization, and how we can express that meaning to others.

What is the vision of Youthlinc:

·       To create lifelong humanitarians through local and international service opportunities

·       To broaden our circle of friendships throughout the world through service

·       Empower youth with the experience of service and promoting leadership experience

·       Opportunity to touch the world and give back just a little

·       Expanding the vision of joy through service both locally and internationally

What inspires you about Youthlinc:

·       The transformation of individuals who participate in the Service Year—great young people add a depth to their commitment to service and gain a perspective that truly changes their lives.

·       The connection it builds with young people and the fire it lights in them to give back to the world.

·       The ability of the program to inspire and open the eyes of youth to the world of service.

·       The ability for a program to inspire people to recognize the value service can provide both the individual doing service and those in the community being served.

·       The impact on individuals lives when service enters their hearts.

What is your ‘elevator speech’ about Youthlinc:

·       Through doing local community service, young people earn a partial sponsorship of their expenses to do international service.  They find themselves, their responsibility to improve their world, and a true joy in service.  I am a part of it because I want to see more celebration of the good in the world, to harness the energy, optimism and commitment of young people to that end.

·       Taking young driven and motivated high school and college student and putting them in a position to better their local communities as well as make a change for a handful of people around the world…after all it is the students who are changed more than anyone.  It truly is a life impacting journey we instill in individuals.

·       The hook that really connected me was when my 16 year old daughter said “I used to think that my house was pretty mediocre.  Now I know that we live in a mansion.”  Because it is such a wonderful program that changes lives, a dollar donated to Youthlinc results in multiple hours of service.

·       Instilling humanitarian characteristics into youth that will carry through for a lifetime.

·       This is a program that will change your life in ways you would have never expected.

·       Youthlinc is an organization that changes people lives—the students and mentors who volunteer locally and internationally, the villagers in the country, the local organization that students volunteer at—all are forever changed for the better.

·       Youthlinc’s vision to share a passion for serving both locally and around the world especially with young people is something that makes me hopeful for creating a better world.  Our opportunity to share tears and lives beauty on multiple continents has changed my life.

·       It’s an amazing service opportunity at home and abroad where kids come back a totally changed person.  They realize what’s important in their lives and what they can individually do to improve the world.

Oh, the places we’ve been! Youthlinc staff & volunteers cover the state during our ‘presentation season’!

During September, Youthlinc staff, team and alum leaders, mentors, parents, and alums present at more than 100 secondary schools and colleges – getting the word out about our unique and highly rewarding local & international Service Year for Utah youth.

We also do our best to recruit medical professionals, teachers, and all adult professionals interested in mentoring and traveling with our student participants to Kenya, Guatemala, Peru, Thailand, and Cambodia next summer.

With our application deadline of October 8 fast approaching, if you are an alum or volunteer who committed to present to a class or club, please get that presentation scheduled and report in to us. We have flyers, the DVD, everything you need to let folks know what a life changing opportunity the Youthlinc Service Year is.

All information and applications for both Utah students and mentors are on our website www.youthlinc.org Check it out now, and get that application in.

We want to give a special shout out to the following amazing folks who have helped us this year:

Miriam Kramer, our International Service Director, has been presenting to schools in southern Utah this week. She’ll be in Logan next week, and helped get out the word at the Westminster Service Fair, East H.S. (thanks Kathleen Dibble for all your help there), and Park Silly Market.

Julia Wee, our Local Service Director, has been all over the map: at the Weber State University Service Fair, the UVU Service Fair, Westminster College, and Park Silly Market, Judge, East H.S., South Summit and Morgan High School Interact Clubs.

Judy Zone, our Executive Director, has presented at Olympus (much thanks to Kim Stringham for setting that up), U of U Nursing, Bennion Center, Education and LEAP, Ogden High, Waterford, East H.S., Skyline, Wasatch H.S., and City Academy.

Long time volunteer Terry Palmer has spread the word in Cyprus, Cottonwood, Hillcrest, and Salt Lake County Youth Government.

Our Guatemala team leader Shelly Burningham presented all over Davis County: Davis H.S. Interact, Viewmont H.S. Interact, Woods Cross, and Bountiful H.S.

Our Kenya team leader Scott Bawden along with Guatemala Alum Leader Aubrey Marz presented at SLCC, Alta, and Jordan H.S.

Board member and alum parent Kimber Parry has been amazing at getting the word out about Youthlinc in Park City. Through her efforts, we've been in the Park Record, in the Park Silly Market, had a table during PCHS lunch, and several teachers at PCHS have had presentations in their classes.

Alum Parent and Friends & Family Trip participant Brenda Hall, along with Kenya alum and son Jackson Hall have taken on the job of spreading the good word about Youthlinc in Utah County to several high schools. They are aided by long time alum parent Dianne Gardner and alum mentor Nancy Kelley at Timpanogos and Mountain View H.S. respectively. Mexico alum Trevor Williams is helping with BYU presentations.

Cambodia team leaders Britnie and Justin Powell have been organizing groups to find out our Service Year at Westminster, West H.S., and the Salt Lake Center for Science Education.

2003 Peru alum, and Youthlinc graphic designer DeeAnna Phelps, is making strides in Tooele School District.

Last, and very importantly, Dr. John Oglesby – our team doctor to Kenya last year – is busily recruiting doctors, nurses, and midwifes to our teams.

There are dozens of other Youthlinc alums who are helping us get out the word, and to all of them, we are so very grateful. If you would like a presentation at your school or club, contact office@youthlinc.org But hurry! The deadline of October 8 for applications is fast approaching.

Why join Youthlinc? Statements from our Alumns (Applications due Oct. 8th!)

It’s that time of year again, when Youthlinc starts accepting applicants for another exciting Service Year.  In a couple months,  hundreds of individuals will embark on a fantastic live-changing journey, discovering just how much they can accomplish in the world.  We are so excited to meet these individuals, and to witness what awesome changes will be made due to their efforts.

For those who are considering applying for Youthlinc, we invite you to learn more on our website, watching our 2011 video, or reading through our blog.  We also want to share what the Youthlinc family has to say about their experiences.  We hope you’ll join us!  Applications are due October 8th!

“I joined Youthlinc to experience the true feelings of happiness and gratefulness that only service can provide.  And to be a part of a wonderful family of people who all have the same desire to live a life full of helping others locally and globally!” --Jillian Queri, 2011 Peru Team member

“My experiences with Youthlinc have re-affirmed my belief that humans can support each other across cultures and continents, that we are all in this together and that we can build relationships on profound levels by working together.  Service is the path to true human connection.”  --Vivian Shell, 2011 Cambodia Team mentor

“This program has been life changing.  I have always been grateful for what I have, but this adds a whole new meaning.  The life I lead and opportunities I have are amazing, and I want to spend my life doing what I can do make this a reality for others.”  --Carly Poth, Bountiful High School

“Service transcends countries, cultures, language barriers, etc. It provides an enormous learning experience that teaches about how much we have and how much can be gained by doing service.”  --Peter Frost, Thailand Team leader

“This experience has blown me away every day. I honestly have never worked so hard, sweated so much, or been so exhausted. But I have also never loved a group of people so much, loved my work with my whole entirety, or felt so completed.”  --Ben Harries, Park City High School

“This experience has given me a whole new perspective, and I feel that this is just the beginning to a completely new part of my life.  Service is no longer a pastime, but a priority.  While it is harrowing to think of all the needs of the world, this experience has taught me that I am completely capable of making a major difference in the lives of others.  Not only that, but the even bigger impact that helping others has on me."  --Anna Vincent, Utah State University

“I believe Youthlinc has had a great impact, not just in the dust, but in the hearts of the children.  We left a mark of a brighter future these children can search for.”  --Bryon Ensign, East High School

 “Youthlinc has forever changed me.  It has humbled me in every way possible.  It made me appreciate my freedom as a girl in the United States.  I am so grateful.  I never realized how much service could change me.  I love it.  I have learned so much about others, but most of all, I have learned about myself.” –Erin Berg; 2011 Kenya Team member

 

“I have learned a lot and grown a lot over the past year with my interaction in Youthlinc.  I have learned organizational and planning skills.  But most importantly, I have learned people skills.  How we all come together from different backgrounds, cities and personalities, then grow together as friends under the watch of service is truly amazing and to learn how to reach out & touch lives.”  --2011 Kenya Team member

“I have been changed in more than one way. A lot of times people look at the negative aspects of humanity, but Youthlinc proves that there are people in this world who truly care for others. It was great to serve around 30+ more people with a mind centered on service.  I love service. No matter how much you serve others, the feeling of satisfaction and of appreciation never gets old. I plan on continuing to serve others daily whether it be by opening a door for someone, or donating more time in service to others.”  -- Trevor Williams; 2011 Mexico Team member

“I know my life has been changed by these experiences.  I am humbled & joyed by it all.  I find the most happiness when I’m making others happy.  I want to help be the change today that makes the difference tomorrow.  Even if one person’s life is changed because of mine, it's worth it.”  --Micadyn Judkins; 2011 Mexico Team member

“Youthlinc has helped me in so many ways.  Local service made me realize there are service opportunities EVERYWHERE and I want to find them.  International service has helped me realize that there are good people everywhere.  You can find friends and opportunities everywhere if you are willing to go and put forth the effort.”  --Melissa Fillmore; 2011 Mexico Team member

“I feel that my life has been changed for the better. I now know not to judge people right away, or to take anything for granted. I truly have been humbled by this great adventure. I want to serve so much more and be able to help everyone.  I want to devote more of my time towards serving and working with others. I am truly grateful for this adventure and how it has taught me so much about myself.”  --Mallorie Duke;  2011 Mexico Team member

“Youthlinc has impacted me greatly. Going on this trip has opened my eyes to an entirely different world. This trip makes me want to serve my community and the world more often in the future.”  Cole Robbins—2011 Peru Team member

Introducing our 2012 Team & Alum Leaders: Let another excellent Service Year begin!

Here at Youthlinc, there is always reason to be proud.  Together, we've made a huge difference in the world; we've become better citizens and humanitarians.  We recognize that these positive changes wouldn't be possible without the leadership of our excellent Team and Alumni Leaders.  As such, we are thrilled to present our 2011-2012 Team and Alumni Leaders.  Each one of these individuals has demonstrated their ability to lead others, their dedication to hard work, and their passion for humanitarianism. By building on the many successes from Youthlinc's past, we believe our new leaders will facilitate another amazing year.  Let the new Service Year begin!

Introducing our Cambodia Leadership--

Team Leader-- Kelly Mattingly

Kelly can’t begin to express how excited she is to be the Team Leader for Cambodia this year! She had the chance to go to Kenya in 2009 and was sucked into the Youthlinc Volunteer Vortex and hasn't been able to get out since (not that she would want to-- says Kelly!). She is currently working as a school counselor and has worked with youth for the last 22 years in various psychiatric settings.

Kelly caught the traveling bug a few years back and has enjoyed a fishing trip to Alaska, a cruise to Hawaii and the Caribbean. Kelly's husband and her are now empty-nesters which has been difficult but fun to get used to. Kelly's oldest is 27 and has been married a year and her youngest is a sophomore at Utah State University. In her free time, Kelly loves spending it with a book or the tomatoes in her garden. Fall is a traumatic time of year for Kelly because she loves being outside fishing and boating and the cold just always seems to get in the way. Kelly wants everyone to know that you will not be sorry if you choose to join the Youthlinc team. Come spend 2 weeks with us in Cambodia! It will be an excellent adventure!  

Alum Leader-- Stephanie Chard

Stephanie's participation in the 2006 Youthlinc trip to Peru was an incredible life changing experience for her. She recalls that the trip opened her eyes and heart to serving others. She also recalls the wonderful memories and friendships that evolved on her trip. Stephanie hopes to inspire others through her amazing experience. Over the years, Stephanie has continued her involvement with international humanitarian missions and local volunteer service. Stephanie recently graduated from the University of San Diego, and is currently working full time in Salt Lake City. She volunteers at Shriner’s Hospital for Children every week.

Stephanie is thrilled about the upcoming Service Year with Youthlinc. For her, it is an honor to serve as an Alumni Leader, and she looks forward to inspire young individuals to reach out to their communities-- both locally and globally.  

Introducing our Guatemala Leadership--

Team Leaders-- Shelly & Mark Burningham

From the moment that Guatemala was announced as Youthlinc’s new service site Mark and Shelly knew they wanted to be involved. They have a deep love for the people of Guatemala, and have participated in various humanitarian projects-- ranging from donating supplies to an orphanage school to raising money to build a school. When the Burningham family learned that newborn babies were often sent home wrapped only in newspaper, they chose to make and donate baby blankets to needy Guatemalan clinics. Mark and Shelly had the opportunity to visit Guatemala, and again raised money and many more educational supplies that they donated and delivered to another orphanage. During their stay, their love for the people grew. They came back forever changed - saddened to see the drastic conditions of the people yet humbled by their happiness and gratitude for the simplest things in life.

Shelly indicated that she was fortunate to hear about Youthlinc and has become a “hooked” volunteer. Shelly went on her first Youthlinc trip to Kenya in 2011 where she served as the education mentor. It was a “magical” experience and she will cherish the love and welcoming kindness that was offered by the people there. Shelly works part-time at Columbia Elementary School as a Reading Tutor. Mark teaches math at Viewmont High School and is the boys tennis coach. Mark has taught ESL and Spanish classes and is also endorsed in Computer Science. Mark and Shelly's greatest joy in life is their family. They have three wonderful children, and a darling granddaughter.  

Alumni Leader-- Aubrey Marz

Aubrey is so excited to continue being involved this year. As a student on the 2011 Kenya team she was able to be on the education committee, teach many children in the village of Kiamuri, help with the construction at two different schools, and become friends with some of the wonderful people in Kenya. This was an amazing experience and it didn’t take long for her to decide that she wanted to do this again. As soon as she could, Aubrey applied for the position of Alum Leader. She wants to be able to help make life changing experiences for all those who will be participating in the 2012 Guatemala team. She hopes to spread her love of serving to all those she works with, and is looking forward to helping the great people in Guatemala!

Aubrey is currently attending Salt Lake Community College and majoring in Elementary Education. She loves learning and being involved at school. She is currently on SLCC’s Student Life and Leadership as the Service Chair and a member of Student Leaders In Civic Engagement. She has a love for service and helping all those around her. Between school and other activities, Aubrey works at a doctor’s office and cleans houses. She loves children and spends time each week volunteering at her local elementary school. She comes from a family of 5 kids and they love to have fun together and go camping whenever there is an open weekend. Aubrey loves life and is always ready for a new adventure. She is so excited for this upcoming service year and can’t wait to meet and work with many great new people while having the experience of a lifetime! 

Introducing our Peru Leadership--

Team Leader-- Britnie Powell

Britnie has been involved with Youthlinc since the beginning. She was on the pilot expedition to Kenya in 2000. Since then she has been committed to continuing service both locally and globally. Britnie has returned to Kenya several times doing humanitarian work, traveled to Peru with Youthlinc on an alum trip, taught English in China, participated in an expedition to Guatemala, and has led Youthlinc teams to Thailand, Kenya, and Cambodia. The work Brit has done in other countries inspired her to become a teacher.

Britnie has a Masters of Education degree and currently teaches 6th grade at the Salt Lake Center for Science Education. At school she also teaches a Service Learning class in which the students do a range of service projects: supporting a local care center for the elderly, environmental projects, organic gardening, teaching science to kindergarteners, helping the humane society, and they have even helped Youthlinc put together hygiene kits! Locally, Brit has been involved with the Boys and Girls Club, volunteered at Cottonwood Hospital, the Battered Woman’s Shelter, has tutored ESL students, made meals for the homeless, and has been a Sub-4-Santa for many years. She likes spending time playing the guitar, reading and riding her bike. She also enjoys adventures of animals. In her classroom she has a pet tarantula, two snakes, two pigeons named Chicken and Dinner, a gerbil, and a handful of other creepy creatures. Britnie is married to Justin (to our Friends and Family Team Leader!) and loves spending time experiencing new places with him. She is stoked to be leading the Peru team this year!  

Alumni Leader-- Ayrowyn Tanner

It was never a question whether service would be a part of Ayrowyn's life. Her mother ingrained in her the importance of giving back and helping others, exemplified daily by taking homemade bread and soup to sick neighbors, or raking leaves for seniors, for example. It was never done with expectation, it was just a way of life. So at a young age, Ayrowyn incorporated this same passion for service. In addition, as a family, the Tanners were fortunate with all the experiences and opportunities life presented them, specifically, the opportunity to travel internationally. Ayrowyn's international travel experience offered her exposure to different cultures, experiences, excitements, but also poverty, hunger and pain. These raw images that she keep within her head and heart have instilled a desire within her to work with others to positively impact the world and encourage a lifestyle of humanitarianism - which is exactly why finding Youthlinc was a perfect fit!

For years Ayrowyn pleaded with her parents to volunteer in Africa, they continued to say no, insisting it was far too dangerous. With the help of the Youthlinc program, her dream to provide humanitarian aide in Africa became a reality. She applied for the Kenya trip as a student her last year of college and was accepted. Joining an entire group with the same desire to provide service to impoverished areas in Africa was a welcomed journey for Ayrowyn. The positive attitudes, the motivation and the passion to help others was infectious and addicting. Since her service trip in Kenya, she has found any excuse to remain involved and active in Youthlinc. She is very excited for this next opportunity!  

Introducing our Kenya Leadership--

Team Leader-- Scott Bawden

This is Scott's third year with Youthlinc and his second as Team Leader. On Scott's first trip he took his son and had such an amazing experience, he had to return as soon as possible. Scott went this past year with his daughter and had another wonderful and magical experience. For Scott, Kenya is a magical place with some of the most kind, caring, and generous people you will ever meet. Scott has been involved with youth service projects for the last 14 years and absolutely loves spending time with the type of young people that get involved with Youthlinc. The students that he has had the privilege of working with the past 2 years are some of the most amazing people he has ever met and he can’t wait to meet another wonderful group for Kenya 2012. The Youthlinc experience is life changing and one of the most amazing experiences he has ever had. Scott has a beautiful wife Michelle. They have been married for 23 years and have 3 wonderful children. Kevin is 19 and participated in 2010 with Youthlinc. Jaclyn is 17 and went this last year to Kenya and Jill is 13. We have two awesome beagles named Tucker and Hunter.

Other than traveling to Kenya with Youthlinc, Scott's favorite things to do are golfing, jeeping, rapelling off of arches, listening to rock music (if it’s too loud, you’re too old), going to any Utah Utes games and going to Lake Powell. Scott works at the University of Utah School of Medicine as a Computer Professional which means he's pretty much just a computer geek. He also has his own computer repair company which keeps him extra busy but allows him the ability to do lots of playing. Scott can’t say enough good things about the Youthlinc program and especially the Kenya teams he has had the fortune of working with. Kenya 2012 will be another exciting adventure as we go to a new village named Kajuki and get to learn to love the people there and help them help themselves to a better way of life. At the same time they will teach us how to be happy and joyful no matter our circumstances in life.  

Alumni Leader-- Kevin Bawden

Kevin is really looking forward to being a part of the 2012 Youthlinc team, and especially the opportunity to work with a whole new group of people who love to serve. In 2010, Kevin went to Kenya with his father. It was an amazing place and the people were wonderful to him. His experiences were life changing and they helped him appreciate the things he has. Kevin loves serving others and finding ways to help those around him. He currently serves at the Boys and Girls Club and wherever else help is needed. He is always looking for opportunities to serve. That's why for Kevin, Youthlinc is a wonderful opportunity because it gives people a chance to serve their community and make lifelong friends while doing it.

Right now, Kevin is attending the Salt Lake Community College and plans on transferring to the University of Utah to pursue medical school. Kevin has wonderful parents and two awesome little sisters. He loves hanging with his family and friends. He is a huge sports fan (go UTES!), and loves going to Lake Powell and spending time outside.  

Introducing our Thailand Leadership--

Team Leader-- Megan Dunn

Megan Dunn started her life of service in 1992 when she became a Job’s Daughter. Service got in her soul and never really left. Her service with Youthlinc started in 2006 when she traveled as a student to Kenya, and then in 2011, she went to Thailand as a mentor heading up the educational committee. Megan cannot wait to return to Thailand as the Team Leader!

When Megan is not involved with Youthlinc, she teaches 3-year-old’s at the Challenger School. She is also a Big Sister with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. She is a Big to a 10-year-old Little. They love to hang out, go to movies and explore all the fun places Salt Lake has to offer. The most important things to her are her family, friends and making a difference in every person’s life she meets. Megan inspires us with this quote: "I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back." ~Maya Angelou  

Alumni Leader-- Jenessa Halliday

Mother Teresa once said that “we can do no great things, only small things with great love.” Though it seemed small at the time, one of the greatest decisions that Jenessa made in her life was to take a Youthlinc trip to Mexico in 2006. While there, she discovered a great love for service that has since been the greatest influence in her life. Thanks to her experiences with Youthlinc, Jenessa has volunteered with many organizations that help children in need, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Courage Reins, and the Family Support and Treatment Center. In addition to her wonderful experiences locally, Jenessa also had the opportunity to complete a development internship in Thailand last summer. During those months, she helped at a local orphanage and worked with an organization that helps children affected by AIDS. She fell in love with the generosity and hospitality of the Thai people and has longed to return ever since—to give some small service back to the people who touched her life and welcomed her into their communities and homes.

Jenessa plans to become a physician assistant and one day volunteer for a worldwide health organization. Although she looks forward to her experiences, she feels most excited to think of the service she can give now, and the skills she can build in preparation for future volunteer opportunities. Jenessa is especially thrilled to have the opportunity to serve as the Alum Leader for the Thailand 2012 trip. She believes it will be a wonderful year and she cannot wait to meet the team members!

Introducing our Friends & Family Team Leader: Justin Powell

 

Justin has been involved with Youthlinc since 2008 and went as a mentor on the Thailand trip in 2009. He was also a mentor on the Cambodia 2011 team. What Justin loves most about Youthlinc is that it is a vehicle for anyone participating in the program to gain a new lens through which to view the world. Through acts of local service, preparations for international projects, and implementing projects abroad, Justin's mindset has been forever altered in how he perceives his role in the world. Justin has especially enjoyed working on the education and micro-finance committees, and has had some incredible and humbling experiences helping to pilot Youthlinc’s first livestock exchange program in Cambodia. Thanks to Youthlinc, Justin has had an avenue from which he can do meaningful work to better the local and international communities. He also loves to help students on the teams find the power and motivation within themselves to become active citizens in the world.

Justin worked as a business professional for several years before making a career change pursuing the education profession. He is currently working on his Masters of Education at Westminster College and has Bachelors degrees in International Business and English. In the past Justin has lived in Australia, Egypt, South Korea, and Vietnam. Justin has a great wife, Britnie (the Peru Team Leader!), who is responsible for his introduction to Youthlinc. Justin is stoked every year to get to take part in this kind of work with her.  

CONGRATS TO OUR 2011-2012 LEADERS. 

We look forward to the great year ahead!