Alternative Youth Development Programs AmeriCorps This fiscal year marked YouthBuild‐Lawrence’s 20th year of participation in the AmeriCorps Program. In addition to serving as a job site for three full‐time AmeriCorps volunteers, the program offered YouthBuild‐Lawrence students the opportunity to complete service hours and earn an AmeriCorps education award towards post‐secondary education. During FY’15, YouthBuild‐Lawrence continued the Service Learning Thursdays program, and YouthBuildLawrence students completed 12,358 service hours at different sites in the Merrimack Valley. Windrush Farm Windrush, a licensed therapeutic equine facility located in North Andover, provides treatment to its clients to improve their personal, psychological and physical abilities. Windrush also provides YBL students with the opportunity to explore careers in Human Services, Animal Sciences and Facilities Management/Building trades. Through their job duties, the students develop valuable work‐readiness skills. Mary Immaculate Health/Care Services Mary Immaculate provides specialized care for those challenged by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. YBL students work in the dementia unit. While not expected to look after difficult responsibilities, they assist with activities—such as, balloon toss, parachute, trivia, sing‐a‐longs, crafts and help serve lunch. Socialization/companionship is also a key component. Comcast Cares Day Students volunteered for a Comcast Care Day in Lawrence which helps clean up various parks and playgrounds throughout the City of Lawrence. YBL students were assigned to Riverside Park in Lawrence and along with other students in the community, they picked up trash and raked and bagged leaves. MLK Day of Service / Family Health Day at Emmaus House Emmaus House is a not‐for‐profit agency that helps the homeless, disadvantaged, disabled, unemployed and oppressed. YBL students prepped food for the event at Emmaus House and also served a meal. Families also received free Health Home Kits. LFDEF, INC FY’2014‐2015 ANNUAL REPORT I graduated from Framingham State College in 2007 with a BA and a teaching license from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Currently I am pursing my Master’s degree in Special Education at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Having always wanted to join the Peace Corps, I decided to volunteer locally and joined the AmeriCorps program in 2013. I chose to do my year of service at YouthBuild-Lawrence because of my background in education and a desire to make a difference in the lives of my students. Through the AmeriCorps program, I not only received an education award but also gained additional experience as a teacher. I learned many things, but most notably, I learned hat I love this work! I continue to do volunteer service through the connections that I made during my AmeriCorps experience. Thanks to my year of service with AmeriCorps and YouthBuild-Lawrence, I am a more skilled educator. Rebecca is currently the Coordinator of Academic Services for YouthBuild-Lawrence. PAGE 6
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