5 Songs That Sing Service

On dreary days everyone can use a little pick me up.  Our favorite way to do that? MUSIC!  Here are 5 songs that speak to service and the importance of it in our lives.  

• Jewel – Hands
• Michael Jackson – Heal the World 
• Bono and Alicia Keys – Don’t Give Up 
• Sheryl Crow – Safe and Sound 
• U2 featuring Mary J. Blige – One

These 5 students on the Guatemala and Kenya team also sing service in their daily lives! Thanks for your uplifting examples ladies!    


Amanda Phillips

"I am a volunteer at the Hser Ner Moo Refugee Welcome Center.  The center is located in South Salt Lake, and serves refugees from around the world.  At the center I work with grades K-12th on homework, English/reading skills, and acclimating to living in America.  I co-supervise a program called "Mentoring 4 Moo", in which 20 Westminster College students are paired with a teen refugee.  The mentor and mentee commit to meet once a week to work on homework or areas that the mentee is struggling.  This group also focuses on sharing culture and creating friendships.  I also have the privilege to participate in a snowboarding program with five teens from the Hser Ner Moo Center called Chill.  This program gives the teens the experience of snowboarding, they would not have other wise.  In the year and half I have volunteered for the Hser Ner Moo Center, those I have served are dear to my heart."  

Brynna McCausland

"The majority of my local service hours are done at Knowlton Elementary school in Mrs. Gladwells kindergarten classroom. Each day I arrive around 2:30 and do various projects for Mrs. Gladwell, help the students with whatever they're working on, or read the kids stories. My local service is especially fun for me because my niece Harper is in the class. I love helping out in Mrs. Gladwells classroom and watching the students learn and grow each day. I've grown so incredibly close to these kids and the service is very rewarding."

Olivia Belman

"I've been volunteering with the Real Life in Salt Lake City program, and it has been a great experience so far! The kids we work with at Real Life are all great kids full of energy and we have a blast with them no matter what we're doing. We work on all sorts of things throughout the week, from etiquette to cooking competitions! I have already seen some of their attitudes and English greatly improve in the time that all of the volunteers have been there. I think that this program has really helped prepare me for teaching lessons and working with students at my international service site, Guatemala."

Lauren Jackson

"I volunteer at the Soldier Hollow Charter school. I take the kids out during their PE time and teach them how to cross country ski. We play games and get to know each other. I also give special attention to some kids and give them a little extra help on how to ski" 

Brooke Snow

"I have had the great opportunity to work at The Children of Hope Academy in St. George. I go in 2 to 3 times a week and work with a special needs girl named Angie who I have been partnered up with. Each time we meet, we work on a variety of skills, such as math, numbers, reading, counting, and even physical skills like skipping. It has been amazing to see how quickly she has progressed and the amount of knowledge that she has retained even in the short time that I have been there. Working each week with her has given me a chance to find her strengths and weaknesses so that we can know what to work on and help her improve on. I have never been in an educational environment where there has been more love and caring for individuals than the Children of Hope Academy. I am excited to continue working with the academy as long as I am in St. George." 

Real Life!

Recently at Real Life....

     We had Teen Iron chef!

 

Made Real Life T-shirts! (Go on Facebook and like your favorite!)

 Had a fun game of basketball and Tornado!!

Had a Great presentation form Rock Mountain Power teaching us safety when it comes to electricity!

We played a fun game of musical chairs!

And of course played a game of partner tag!  Because Real Life wouldn't be the same with out it!

Stay in tuned for more updates about Real Life!

Why Do These Peru Students Love Their Service Sites?

Youthlinc students serve at many organizations around the State of Utah.  Every student chooses their main service site for different reasons.  Most students choose their site because they have a strong connection to the organization or a commitment to the mission.  

What makes these students love their service sites so much? 

They tell us in their own words: 

Melissa Melendez

"I volunteer at the Park City Christian Center. My main job is reception which is to assist anyone who walks in with the variety of services the Center offers.  I have become an expert on answering questions regarding donating, volunteering, the food pantry, the thrift store, etc.  Many people need help figuring out where to live and tell them about a program called roommate round-up.  I also explain how the food pantry works. It's really cool volunteering here, especially during the winter season because a lot of people from different countries like, Brazil, Argentina, PERU, and many more come in.   It is really interesting and rewarding to hear them talk about life in another country."

Broc Jones

"For my main service site I am working with Operation Smile by packing and organizing donations. Operation Smile is a service group that goes to Central American countries like Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador; where they perform dental operations. I found out about this program through my friends who is committed to the organization.  I package toys, blankets and other miscellaneous items to be taken to needy countries.  I volunteer when I can or whenever help is needed. This year I hope to join the group to El Salvador where we will distribute the donations collected."

Lynette Dueñas

"Real Life in Salt Lake City has been an amazing experience.  I have enjoyed getting to know the refugee teens and have the chance to hang out with them. Every time I go I learn something new and I have become more patient and grateful for the things I have. The kids are so full of energy and love to play games like “partner tag.” My favorite activity has been ice skating at the Gallivan center. It was freezing but it was great to see kids who had never been ice skating before accomplish a small goal and try new things. My job at Real Life is to recognize teenagers and volunteers each week as they improve their skills and do simple act of kindness. I can’t wait to spend more time with them and teach them this year!

Service Spotlight - From Vietnam to Thailand

The Vietnam Benefit last night at Cafe Trang was a HUGE success! Thank you to our wonderful student volunteers who worked so hard to make this day a success.  We couldn't have done it without you!  

Thank you!

Jessica Bergeman

Colton Roueche

Samantha Bergeman

Tessie Pham

Nicole McReynolds

Madison Adams

Keaton Adams

Taylor Johns

Alyssa Clark

This week we also had 3 amazing students who continued to serve at their main service site. These young women are all on the Thailand team and will be traveling together to make a difference there this summer! Way to go ladies!!

Emily Young

"I am volunteering at Real Life Salt Lake City for my main local service site! We play with the refugee teens in Salt Lake! I am volunteering about 4 hours a week an I absolutely love being able to play with the teens and have fun with them!"

Emily also planned the last lesson at Real Life.  We learned how to do origami!  We really appreciate your help and hard work Emily!





Dani Calhoon

"My service site is the American Red Cross. Every month there are youth council meetings where we discuss upcoming events that we have an opportunity to volunteer at. We also discuss topics like blood donation, humanitarian law, and disaster relief. Volunteering at The Red Cross gives us a chance to get certified in things like CPR training, babysitting and disaster relief where we can eventually go to real life disasters and help those affected. Last month we raised $500 to make sandwiches to feed the homeless on Monday at an event called Dinner at Vinny's. 

 Madison Anderson

"I volunteer at the Timpanogos Regional Hospital. I mainly work in the gift shop where I organize, clean, and help customers. I also help at the front desk where and when needed and I help with delivering gifts, flowers, etc. to the patients in the hospital. I love where I volunteer because I am able to see everyday miracles."