Young leaders of YAYB organized and executed a community service project, in
collaboration with Mt. Zion church in East Harlem, to meet the community’s need for school supplies and address food insecurity by giving away food. To also bolster a second wave of student recruitment for YAYB. The team spearheading this effort was made up of five YAYB leaders. (From left to right, Jailanie (Logistics Guru), Madelyn (Organizer), Tiyannah (Creative Designer/ Social Media Coordinator), Eric (Communications/Recruitment Facilitator), and Jaevaughn (Communications/Recruitment Facilitator) The team was able to service 100 families from the community, providing them with much-needed goods, and introducing them to YAYB as an organization they can access for youth development.
What’s would be your theme song when you enter a room:
Jailanne- Hello by Aqyila
Madelyn- Too Young by Post Malone
What was the Mission:
Madelyn: Our mission was to provide service to our community in a meaningful way.
As well as to promote YouthBuild for recruitment bringing in new students for the
next round of recruitment.
What was the planning process for this project:
Madelyn: As a team we sat down and discussed what roles we felt like fit us the most. We did our duties individually, but we collaborated as a team holistically.
Jailanie: This took about 2 months to prepare and execute this service project. I made calculations of the food and the materials needed, and was in charge of
distribution of the backpacks and food for the community.
Madelyn: I ensured that before and during the project everything was running smoothly, answered questions and referred community members to where they can access information about the project and our organization.
How did you feel the project went:
Madelyn: It went unexpectedly well, we were very nervous about it, but the community was very good to us. I felt like I made an impact on someone’s son, daughter, and mother. Which felt fulfilling for me.
Jailanie: I think we all left that project feeling better about ourselves. It made me feel
like I gave back to the community in a meaningful way. I felt like I had purpose. We had a lot of little children at the event and seeing the happy looks on their faces
made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
What did you learn from the experience:
Madelyn: I learned how to work with a team, develop a plan, and follow through with
the plan that we put together. I also learned how to communicate with the community.
Jailanie: I learned that people need more assistance with their basic needs. There were people with a lot of children and they need an event like this for food and school supplies. This was a very humbling experience.
How did it make you feel:
Jailanie:I felt good about myself. I felt like I did a good deed.
Madelyn: I felt like I made god happy.