The Pike County Youth Coalition took President Obama’s call to volunteer community service seriously, and using the Pike/Wayne Needs Assessment findings as a model, recently launced an initiative aimed at helping at-risk Pike County youth through mentoring.
The “United We Serve” initiative is a national effort by President Obama to engage more Americans in serving their communities this summer, particularly focusing on four key areas: education, healthcare, energy and community renewal.
“This summer, I’m calling on all of you to make volunteerism and community service part of your daily life and the life of this nation,” the President said in a video message on the initiative’s web site, www.serve.gov. United We Serve officially launched on June 22 and will last 12 weeks until September 11, which will be marked by a national day of service and remembrance.
Pike County Youth Coalition’s Executive Director Nick Troiano was invited to be part of a group of service organization leaders that were briefed on the initiative by First Lady Michelle Obama in late May.
In response to the president’s call, the Pike County Youth Coalition (PCYC) convened a preliminary meeting June 9 of over a dozen non-profit, civic and government leaders to discuss the initiative and decide what type of volunteer project was needed in the County.
“When we began this process, we did not know what type of project we were going to undertake,” Troiano said. “But we did recognize that if we were to make a significant impact on any issue our community faces, it will take a group effort.”
Using the recent Wayne/Pike Needs assessment — which identified youth support as one of the five greatest needs in the area — as a guide, the group decided that a mentorship program pairing responsible citizens with at-risk youth would greatly benefit the county.
“This project will meet a real need in our County, and I applaud the group for its efforts,” said Harry Forbes, Pike County commissioner and a member of the project’s steering committee. Forbes explained that the committee envisioned the project as being something like the Big Brothers/Big Sisters programs found in many areas.
According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, young people who are mentored by a volunteer, even for just a few hours per week, will improve their performance in school, increase their self-confidence, and be less likely to consume drugs or alcohol.
“Anytime that we as citizens can keep our youth on the right track and involved in worthwhile activities, the less likely it is that they will take a wrong turn toward becoming unproductive citizens,” said State Representative John Siptroth, one of the project’s supporters. “I encourage community members to become involved,” he added. A member of Siptroth’s staff sits on the project’s steering committee.
The steering committee is seeking input from the community, including those who want to help organize the program. They are encouraged to contact mentor@pikeyouth.org. More information, including a sign up form for young people looking for a mentor and volunteers who are interested in mentoring, is located at www.pikeyouth.org/mentor.
Milford, Pa. —
