Congratulations to Cassidy:
YVCHR's Volunteer of the Month!
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Cassidy joined YVCHR back in the fall and has become a passionate new member of the YVC family. She jumped right into our Goat City service project last year and lately has been a real asset to our Winter Garden Club in the construction of 6 raised garden boxes. In fact, she says her favorite experience so far has been the garden club because she has "learned many valuable skills regarding the growing of vegetables as well as learning how to use tools and organize build[s]". She also loves "being able to help the community gain easier access to fresh vegetables." Cassidy states that the best thing about volunteering--besides meeting new people and helping her community--is all the new skills she has learned.
Cassidy's hobbies include competitive swimming, soccer, playing piano and singing. After high school, Cassidy would like to attend Virginia Tech or James Madison possibly majoring in Business.
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Interesting Fact: Cassidy credits her sister for introducing her to YVCHR! |
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Youth and adults were invited to share their favorite MLK quote or inspirational story via Flipgrid last month. This initiative was launched by our Youth Advisory Board to highlight the incredible work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who led the civil rights movement and shared his dream of equality with the world.
Submissions were compiled into a video that was shared via social media on MLK Day, January 18th. To view the video, simply click this link!
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IMPORTANT CANSTRUCTURE COMPETITION NEWS! |
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Youth Volunteer Corps of Hampton Roads has supported the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank for the past 9 years by hosting a STEM competition for students that doubles as a large-scale service project. This design-and-build event allows youth in grades K-12 to test their creativity and problem-solving skills by collecting canned goods and then building a 3-dimensional themed structure from those food donations. Teams are challenged to raise awareness of food insecurity issues in our community, utilize real-world engineering and math skills, and demonstrate teamwork in a timed competition that typically takes place at Patrick Henry Mall. Due to the pandemic, this year's event will look different, and we need your input!
Please take the survey below and share the link with others who may be interested in sponsoring a team for this year's virtual competition! Our goal is to donate at least 10,000 pounds of food to the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank.
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Mental Health Mondays'
Relief Goody Bag Drive
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When: February 8th - February 19th
Where: YVCHR Office
Youth that are participating in YVCHR's Mental Health Mondays series are hosting a Relief Goody Bag Drive in an effort to boost the mental health of frontline workers in our community who have been working relentlessly during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
From writing letters to creating flyers like the two included above, our youth have planned it all! Some are organizing individual drives with their churches, neighborhoods and schools while others are running social media campaigns to spread the word. They are also asking you, their YVCHR family, for your support to bless the stressed in the form of restaurant gift cards, candy, self-care products, snacks, handmade notes or any other donations to demonstrate appreciation and offer encouragement. Even though we are almost a year into this pandemic the stress and workload is not lessening for the doctors, nurses, healthcare workers and staff. So let's band together to express our love and appreciation for their hard work, sacrifice, courage and fortitude.
Call 757-223-7078 or email Katie/ Kimberly with questions or to coordinate drop-offs. |
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New Service Opportunities for February and March
PLEASE NOTE: At this time, we are offering a limited number of in-person projects alongside our virtual project series due to COVID restrictions and concerns. We are doing our best to offer high-quality programming with the safety of our youth and partner agencies in mind. Thank you for your patience and support. We look forward to the day we can again serve in larger groups and with a wider variety of organizations.
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IN-PERSON PROJECT
This project will benefit the Foodbank, as well as provide an immersive language experience for refugee youth who are practicing their English while volunteering!
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IN-PERSON PROJECT
Spring will be here before we know it, and there is so much to do! The spring club will focus on a variety of garden tasks. Sign up for one month or all three months. Space is limited. Garden gloves (and masks!) will be required for all meetings.
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IN-PERSON PROJECT
If you can't make it in February, sign up for March! This project will provide an immersive language experience for refugee students who are practicing their English while volunteering! As always masks are required.
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HYBRID PROJECT
In December of 2020 we held our first Hats from the Heart project. It was an amazing yet challenging experience. We learned a lot and have made adjustments in order to make it an even better experience. Beginning March 8th, we will launch our second Hats From the Heart project. This time we will host three virtual meetings and one in-person meeting.
Our plan is to spend several months over the course of this year teaching youth to knit warm hats so that we can donate a large quantity to So All May Eat (S.A.M.E.) later in the fall for distribution to their clients. Youth don't need any knitting experience, but patience and perseverance will be key. Needles for knitting and yarn will be supplied. If you would prefer to crochet, please contact Kimberly at programdirector@yvchr.org.
Weekly Breakdown:
March 8th - Casting On (Virtual)
March 15th - Joining and Knit stitch (Virtual)
March 22nd - Progress Check (In-Person)
March 29th - Finishing (Virtual)
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Scholarship Opportunities |
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Don and Jean Sloan Youth Service Scholarship
The Don and Jean Sloan Youth Service Scholarship is awarded through Youth Volunteer Corps Headquarters. The $1,000 scholarship is open to active YVC volunteers who have demonstrated excellence in volunteerism and leadership and who are committed to making a difference in their communities.
To see the requirements, criteria and what you will need in order to apply for this scholarship, please follow the link below.
Deadline: April 30, 2021
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Scholarship: $10,000 to be applied to higher education or to a service project
The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes celebrates inspiring, public-spirited young people from diverse backgrounds all across North America. Youth need to be currently working on an inspiring service project or have done so within the past 12 months and need to be working as an individual to lead their service work.
Each year, the Barron Prize honors 25 outstanding young leaders ages 8-18 who have made a significant positive difference to people and the environment.
Deadline: April 15, 2021
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WANTED: Plastic Containers |
Our garden club participants will be repurposing plastic containers like the one pictured for a future project. If you've purchased spinach, strawberries or other produce that comes in vented, plastic packaging, please consider saving it for YVCHR. The height of the sides must be at least 4". Thanks in advance!
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A drop box is located at the office for donations, or you can email Katie to coordinate a pick-up.
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