Preparing to be a prevention ambassador and how CSBs can increase youth engagement.
YFAB members, Terri and Tre’Mon share their thoughts on how YFAB has prepared them as prevention ambassadors in their region and how Community Service Boards (CSBs) can increase youth engagement.
“YFAB has prepared me as a prevention representative that there is always going to be those hard challenges in life in around our community, and that all it takes is 1 to make a change. YFAB has prepared me to open my eyes to the truths that lie behind every community and all of the little things lead to a bigger/brighter future. The youth should know that anything and everything helps, and there is always a way to make change. We all should know that it is possible to do more and better, and it's never too late to take action.”
Terri, Lawrenceville, GA - Discovery High School
I believe that the youth engagement is low because they think of community service as a bad thing. People in my family think of community service as a punishment, so certain youth members could be unaware of the benefits & positivity that comes with serving the community. Being a member of a service-based organization has showed me that my impact in the community is needed. I believe that Community Service Boards can increase youth engagement by introducing the youth to different & attractive forms of community service. Some of these options can be assisting at Boys & Girls Clubs, local churches, YMCA, and even their own school!
Some other forms of community service that may be attractive to the youth is bake sales, feeding the homeless, making boxes to collect non-perishable items, or even serving food at local festivals! Showing them the positive impact they have in their own communities will spark the courage in them to continue doing amazing things. I believe that they just need to see community service as a good thing and not something you do when you’re in trouble. It should be made attractive to the youth & the benefits of doing community service should be shared with them!
Tre’Mon, Savannah, GA - Savannah State University
