Teens Making A Difference
Teen Volunteer Program Recognized Nationally
Even though the library building was closed to the public, the teen program is stronger than ever. Carrie Lowery, Youth Services Specialist, immediately pivoted from in-person programs to finding ways for the teens to engage remotely.
“The coronavirus has created hardships for many in our community, including our teens. I knew one of the best ways to help them was to give them the opportunity to help others, so I started looking at ways they could volunteer from home,” Lowery said.
To date, the program has 29 active teens, volunteering 859 hours. Such a success — it has been recognized by Young Adult Library Services Association, a division of the American Library Association.
One of the popular teen volunteer programs is writing to homebound seniors. Through a partnership with Country Meadows, teens send letters to residents who have not been able to have visitors due to Covid-19.
“The program has given me a way to uplift a fellow neighbor’s day,” – Safia, Teen Volunteer
“When I found out about this volunteering opportunity, I knew immediately I had to take it because it was an excellent way for me to utilize my skills for something beneficial. The program has given me a way to uplift a fellow neighbor’s day,” said Safia S, one of our teen volunteers.
Other ways teens have engaged the wider community are through helping with the library’s online offerings —
creating Kahoot trivia questions and quizzes, editing videos, and reviewing books, movies, and take-&-make kits.
Our library is incredibly grateful for the many teens involved in our teen volunteer program and is excited to see what more amazing things they will contribute this fall.
