2 minute read
Assistance League of Diablo Valley Teen Chapter
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Diablo Valley Assistance League's Teen Chapter provides students with a way to give back
By Jadyn Brandt, Resident since 2000
The Diablo Valley Assistance League is a nonprofit volunteer organization that focuses on giving back to the community in a number of hands-on and financial ways. The Assisteens Auxiliary is a branch of the organization specifically for teenagers in grades 7 through 12. Comprised of up to 60 members selected through an application process, Assisteens works to fundraise for and put on events in Diablo Valley communities. Members are given the chance to plan and execute new events each year as well as taking part in 3 yearly events; two holiday parties for the children of Meadow Homes Elementary--one in winter, one in spring-- and the Fashion Show and Tea fundraiser. All three events are run by students in the Assisteens program with the guiding help of Assistance League members. Students also run meetings, hold leadership positions, work shifts in the Way Side Inn Thrift Shop, and take part in other projects benefiting individuals of all ages, from elementary school children through homebound seniors.
Not only does the Assisteens program benefit the community, but it also greatly benefits those within the program. Assisteens allows members to explore a multitude of charitable causes and allows individuals to cultivate a passion for specific causes. Assisteens is a chance to give back to parts of the community that many members may not encounter on their own.
2018 was my last year in Assisteens and as a group, we chose to put the money we raised throughout the year towards the chapter’s Foster Youth Scholarship Program. I had very little knowledge of the foster care system at the time as it wasn’t a very visible issue in our area. Thankfully, Assistance League members invited staff members of the Contra Costa County Independent Living Skills Program to speak with us about the problems surrounding foster care and foster youth. The information provided to us by the CCCILSP shined a light on a commonly overlooked issue and personally inspired me to make foster care reform the topic of my senior project that same year. The more I learned about the foster care system the more impassioned I became in my belief that the system needs a change. Foster care reform continues to be something I consider incredibly important, and I hope to continue spreading awareness through conversation and writing. For me, Assisteens started as a way to do my part for my community in small ways and ended as a gateway to a passion for change on a larger level.
I would whole-heartedly recommend joining Assisteens to any teenager looking to make a difference in our community. For more information about this wonderful program visit https://www. assistanceleague.org/diablo-valley/volunteer/assisteens/.
