A 16-year-old Providence girl’s service project called “Youth Connect” is bringing generations together and strengthening communities at the same time.
Mountain Crest High School student Emilee Hamilton noticed there was a great need for elderly people in retirement centers to feel loved, needed and connected with the community. She organized students, with the help of both school districts, to start visiting the elderly and the program has thrived.
“Anything you do at the retirement center they are so much like us. It is so cool that I can go in there,” Hamilton said on <a href=”http://610kvnu.com/assets/podcaster/328/2013_08_26_328_13759_2867.mp3″ target=”_blank”>KVNU’s Crosstalk program Monday</a>. “I want to play balloon volleyball so they’ll do it with me. It’s just like your own support system and friend group, in a way. It’s fun to bring your own friends with you because it’s twice the fun.”
Hamilton said businesses have cooperated and Firehouse Pizza is rewarding volunteers who go the extra mile. To learn more about the project go to <a class=”moz-txt-link-abbreviated” href=”http://www.utahyouthconnect.org”>www.utahyouthconnect.org</a>.