The South Boston Community Health Center’s Youth Ambassadors are going on their eighth community service trip. This year’s trip will be to Detroit, Mich., where our youth will be doing disaster relief work. In August 2014, a large storm system moved across Michigan producing record rainfalls that caused severe flooding in over 128,000 homes in the greater Detroit area. While it was considered to be the largest domestic disaster of 2014, it was largely overlooked. As a result, the affected families, many of whom were already in an economically depressed state, are still struggling to make basic repairs to their homes nearly a year and a half after the floods. The youth ambassadors will be spending their school vacation helping those who were affected by completing home repairs that will enable people to finally return to their homes. Painting, installing sheet-rock and insulation, and removing debris are a few of the tasks youth ambassadors will complete during their week of service.
Youth ambassadors is a program that facilitates lasting relationships between the youth and adults of South Boston, builds leadership skills, promotes civic-mindedness, and raises awareness about health issues affecting the South Boston community. Our youth gain skills and knowledge through art projects, health education, and community service.
Previous community service trips have been life changing for the youth participants as well as their adult chaperones. They have felt a great sense of accomplishment by representing South Boston in recovery relief efforts. The yearly experience of traveling to disaster relief sites solidifies their resolve to make a difference once they return home to South Boston. We hope that you will help us make this trip a reality by contributing to our fundraising efforts. You can donate money to support the Youth Ambassadors at gofundme.com/youthambassadors. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Mayra Rodriquez-Howard at mahoward@sbchc.org or 617-464-7423.
