News

YLT 6 Social Services Day

By Youth Leadership Tallahassee, 09/09/2009

Darryl Jones of the Bethel CDC organized a day focusing on social services, with the help of Ann Davis of Capital Area Healthy Start Coalition, Yolanda Fairell of Yolanda Speaks, Stacy Gromatski of Capital City Youth Services, and Louise Ritchie, Civic Leader. To begin the day, the class was provided information on how to keep babies safe, from the Healthy Start Coalition. Staff from Capital City Youth Services facilitated discussion on the problems today's young people face and healthy ways to deal with those issues. Jeb Blackburn brought out ways of dealing with change through an exercise that required the class to think outside the box. Louise Ritchie brought world hunger issues home with an "international buffet" which divided the class into groups representing international economic classes. Each group was provided a meal that was similar to what those economic groups would traditionally eat - most of the class received only rice, a small group received rice and beans, and a tiny group received what most Americans eat - a full meal with meat, a starch and a vegetable. After lunch, the class was divided into 3 groups to see first-hand, what some of the nonprofits in our community are doing. One group helped lay sod at an affordable house built by the Bethel CDC; one group sorted food at America's Second Harvest of the Big Bend; and the final group visited Capital City Youth Services, which focuses on reaching out and helping youth and families who have found themselves in situations beyond their control. The class members were all energized to support and volunteer more through their interactions during the day. Thanks to Awards4U, a Silver Sponsor of YLT Class 6.