Volunteers are half of our mission at Youth Challenge! More than 300 teen volunteers, aged 12 through 12th grade, give their time and talent to YC annually. Often, a student who first attends YC programs to fulfill school service requirement find themselves “hooked” and coming back season after season, well surpassing their service requirements and making a last impact on participants and their fellow volunteers.
YC partners with many local Cleveland-area schools to recruit teen volunteers, including Saint Joseph Academy. In fact, there are currently nearly 20 SJA students who are teen volunteers at Youth Challenge and four SJA alumni serving on our Board of Trustees. Youth Challenge is grateful for our partnership with Saint Joseph Academy and to all the students and alumni who give generously to Youth Challenge.
As Mya Antonetti, rising SJA senior and current YC Board of Trustees intern, puts it, “Saint Joe’s encourages so much community service and volunteering. It’s a characteristic of their graduates.” Mya, who has volunteered since she was a student at Ruffing Montessori, is one of YC’s most-involved volunteers. And beyond YC, her time at SJA has encouraged her to volunteer at other organizations, those she may not have been exposed to were it not for the focus-on-service model at SJA.
Ana Drinan started her freshman year at SJA amidst a global pandemic. Still, Saint Joe’s encouraged her to get involved in the community safely. Ana completed a virtual volunteer training in 2021 and began attending programs that same year, and she’s kept coming back! “I’ve always liked volunteering and SJA really encourages it,” she explained, “and YC is always fun no matter the program.”
YC is grateful to all our volunteers! We are also incredibly grateful to Saint Joseph Academy for encouraging community service and generosity from their students and alumnae. The Cleveland area – and beyond – are better for it!
Are you or someone you know interested in volunteering for Youth Challenge? Volunteer training for our fall season is now open. Programs begin in mid-September. Click here to learn more and get involved!