Reported by: Kelly MartinNewport Central Catholic Junior Caitlyn Sturgil has helped Hurricane Katrina victims, elderly in nursing homes, and other less fortunate people in the Northern Kentucky region. But this year, she and her youth group wanted to do more.
When she heard about the opportunity to help educate inner-city children at the
Hosea House soup kitchen in Newport, it was right up her alley. She informed her youth group at
Immanuel United Methodist Church of this new community service event.
Caitlyn is one of over 2,000 youth who will be participating in
Global Youth Service Day throughout N.Ky. and Greater Cincinnati from Friday to Sunday. The annual global event celebrates community service efforts in which youth ages 5-25 participate in projects to address local needs.
Starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, the youth group will promote reading and other important educational tools for childrens’ success. There will also be games and prizes, along with a fundraiser for a book drive to further encourage children to read.
Always looking for new community service ideas, Caitlyn felt that this opportunity would enable them to reach out to a new group of children while being a part of a global cause.
“It is a good opportunity to learn about service and it gave me another chance for more service projects,” she said. “It is an honor to plan a few of these events going on around the tri-state and N.Ky. area.”
For Beechwood sophomore Caroline Davis, being a part of the youth group means showing selflessness whenever possible. Participating in Global Youth Service Day is just another way to carry out their mission.
“It accomplishes our goal of serving others by reminding ourselves it is not always about us,” she said. “It is nice to take time off to think of others.”
While the reading advocacy event is a great opportunity to further the youth group’s mission, it also helps some inner-city youth get something they don’t see often: a chance to learn with teenagers from around the N.Ky. area.
Karen Yates, executive director of Hosea House, has always tried to get children involved in fun activities. Being more than a soup kitchen, the Hosea House has held other activities designed to reach out to less fortunate people—especially events for children. A kid’s club was held each Thursday, providing a mentoring situation for children where they made crafts. The reading advocacy service project will accomplish the same goal.
“It is something different and gives them something to do on a Saturday morning when most would just sit in front of the television,” Yates said. “Anything that benefits the kids, I will do it.”
Through the partnership with the Hosea House, the youth group shouldn’t have a problem helping these kids learn to read and get excited about education. Both Caitlyn and Caroline have always loved being around children, and hope they can share their excitement for reading.
By participating in events like Global Youth Service Day, the group simply carries out their everyday mission to support people in need. Caitlyn never forgets one important life lesson she has learned from her youth group.
“They taught me to love everybody.”
The Hosea House literacy project will be from 10 a.m. to noon this Saturday, featuring reading and craft activities for children. The Immanuel United Methodist Church youth group will be coordinating this project and will help with serving lunch after the session.
