Clean Sweep at Confluence

Saturday, March 28th 2009 we went to the Confluence Park in LaVerkin, UT and cleaned up the trash! We had a total of 24 volunteers show up to help us with this event, which is wonderful! It was a beautiful, sunny day with an average temperature of about 70 degrees. As we strolled through on the winding trail through the center of the park, we talked, explored, and picked up debris. Finally, when we had reached the summit once again, we relaxed and enjoyed some refreshments!
Thanks to all who came. It would have been a daunting task for only a few of us, but was a fairly simple task with all who came. The only thing I would change about this event.....WE DIDN'T GET PICTURES! DARN!

Thanks again!

Dustin Thompson
Youth Group Leader/Volunteer Coordinator

Spring Cleaning at the Community Center

Hey Everyone! This is Sheena at the Volunteer Center. On Saturday, March 21st, we had the opportunity to serve the Washington County Community Center. The community center is a new facility in Washington and is used by the community for various recreational activities and events. Our project was to take out all of the tables and chairs that the center uses for rentals and give them a good cleaning. At first it seemed like a daunting task for the six of us but we worked together and got it done in no time. It was a great sunny day to work outside, listen to some tunes, and get a little wet. We enjoyed talking with the site supervisor, Don, about the different events that take place there. It was nice to help the community center prepare for their busy summer season.

CANstruction Teams Needed!

Join the Youth Volunteer Corps of Washington County in our efforts to organize CANstruction teams! Some of you may be thinking "What is CANstruction?" Simply put, CANstruction is a very creative way of collecting cans of food to give to those who are in need. What will happen is there will be about 20 CANstruction teams who will compete in a can-structure building competition on Wednesday, August 5 at the Washington County Fairgrounds. The teams will choose a design of anything they can build out of cans. Whether the cans are purchased, or donated or otherwise aquired (by honest means of course). The choice of cans is critical for the design you would like to create. The teams then practice setting up their structure a few times before the competition. 5 will represent the team at the actual competition, held on Wednesday, August 5 at the Washington County Fair. If you are interested, call the Volunteer Center of Wasington County at 674-5757.

Utah Federation for Youth

Hey Everyone! My name is Stephanie Blatter Kim and I am the Service Learning Coordinator with Utah Federation for Youth. Our primary initiatives focus on drug prevention, education, life skills and especially high school graduation among refugee youth in Salt Lake City.

Sheena Rosander Reports on Restorative Justice

“I keep my ideals, because in spite of everything I still believe people are really good at heart.” –Anne Frank

Anne Frank’s belief in the goodness of people is what drives our work in Washington County Youth Court. Youth Court is a program based on Restorative Justice which is an approach to responding to wrongdoing and conflict with a balanced focus on the person harmed, the person causing the harm, and the affected community. The youth who appear in our court are first time offenders who have committed low-level crimes such as trespassing, petty theft, and breaking curfew. The participant comes before a panel of their peers and is given a sentence to “restore” the balance. Our hope is to help the young person learn from their mistake while making sure the other parties involved receive compensation for the wrongs committed against them.

Community Service is a mandatory part of the disposition given at the end of the hearing. Also essays, apology letters, and specific projects may be assigned as the panel of judges see fit. If the young participant comes to their return hearing with all his or her assignments finished he or she can leave the court with a fresh start. After a year of staying out of trouble the participant’s criminal record is cleared of the charge.

The teenagers we have on our panel are amazing young people. They listen and ask questions carefully and try to build relationships of trust with which they can really help their peers. The panel has the opportunity of receiving training and experience that will benefit them throughout their lives. Washington County Youth Court is a great program for all who are involved. Spread the word about our awesome program!!

Dustin Thompson Reports on Comfort Quilts

On November 22, 2008 we had a project in which we created 8 quilts. It was on National Family Volunteer Day, and we wanted to do something fairly big. There ended up being about 25 volunteers who came to the project! Everyone had a great time working together to tie the quilts. The ages of the volunteers ranged from 9 to 80. The skill levels varied between "absolutely no experience" with quilting to being an avid quilter. We tied, laughed, ate and then reflected on our experience!

We also had a few other volunteers who finished the quilts for us. In the end we were able to donate 8 quilts to the Utah Foster Care system, which were then distributed to children who needed comfort.

This was my first experience serving with YVC, and I feel it was a real success! Thanks to all volunteers who participated, and especially those who provided material, yarn, and batting! A special thanks to Deseret Industries.