2025 Spring Service Toolkit

SPRING SERVICE

In support of Cradles to Crayons.

Except where otherwise noted, this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial-Share Alike4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/. It is attributed to Project 351.

Project 351 encourages you to use this Toolkit to inspire youth service and build unity, for research, or other noncommercial purposes with proper citation when used publicly. Please use the following citation when referencing this Toolkit: Project 351. (2025). Spring Service Toolkit. 2025 Edition. Boston, MA. For clarification or questions, contact Project 351 directly at info@project351.org.

Welcome

In your hands—and inside every member of our 351 community—is the inspiration, information, and blueprint you need to help in your hometown. These pages include the knowledge and motivation to guide your development of Spring Service.

This Toolkit gains its strength from you. It will be your companion for Spring Service Leadership Academy, resource for best practices, and canvas for your goals and vision. Please use it to guide your service journey, strengthen your confidence and courage as leader, and mobilize your community to Unite. Act. Lead!

At each stage of Spring Service, we “Learn, Act, and Reflect” to ensure our vision, action plan, and values reflect the best of us and respect for the dignity of those we serve. Thank you for all the ways you lead and inspire—including this critically needed campaign in support of children in homeless and economically challenged circumstances.

We can’t wait to begin!

AMBASSADOR COMMITMENT TO LEAD

Our community is led by a set of guiding principles — each of which is essential to our mission and important to our unity and well-being. Throughout this service year, we hope that you gain an understanding of the Project 351 values and ethos that define our service, our community, and the world that we hope to build.

We are a youth-led movement for positive social change, defined by courage, compassion, and a spirit of unity that thrives with hope. We build from a foundation of gratitude for those who came before us — our families and communities, Alumni, and a long, rich history of Service Heroes, movement makers, and change agents.

As an Ambassador...

„ I begin and end—my service, leadership, and community building—in gratitude

„ I commit to Project 351’s core values as my North Star: kindness, compassion, humility, and gratitude.

„ I serve with a deep understanding of my own motivations, enriched by self-reflection and a dedication to kaizen the ideal of continuous improvement.

„ I believe in the power of audacious hope, the transformative impact of kindness, and the unlimited potential of 35ONE the belief and practice that we are stronger together.

„ I lead with love, serve with compassion, and build bridges with respect for the dignity of all. I reject racism, bigotry, hatred, and bullying of any kind and in every form.

„ I embrace the knowledge and joy found in a diversity of perspectives, backgrounds, and lived experiences.

„ I use my voice to inspire, express appreciation, encourage friendship, and amplify the unheard.

„ I devote my gifts to the causes and issues that inspire my passion; and to the unifying vision of the Beloved Community.

„ I step up and stand up as an ally and champion for those in need of our advocacy and friendship.

„ As I serve and support others, I prioritize my own wellness, care, and affirmation -- mindful that 35ONELove begins with self-love.

„ I will UNITE, ACT, LEAD with purpose, passion, and pride.

„ And, as a proud member of the Class of 2025 and 35ONE community, I will demonstrate that our generation is a mighty force for extraordinary change.

Our service ethos

The Four Core Values of Project 351

„ Kindness: The quality of being friendly, generous, considerate, and warm toward all others

„ Compassion: The instinct to care deeply about others through greater understanding of their life story and circumstances

„ Humility: The characteristic of being modest, recognizing that my experiences and perspectives are one of many

„ Gratitude: The quality of being thankful; demonstrating appreciation and kindness with joy

Each time that we UNITE, ACT, LEAD in service, we express...

„ Begin in gratitude for the privilege of service and the opportunity to learn from those with whom we serve.

„ Enter into community with humility and respect.

„ Respect and value the dignity of all.

„ Serve “with” not “for” community. Communities are rich in wisdom, initiatives, and ideas, but often lack vital resources that allow them to achieve their vision. When we serve, we support their vision by mobilizing resources that may be lacking.

„ Together, we are stronger. Collaborative teamwork increases service excellence. Respect for the opinions, ideas, and perspectives of others is essential.

„ We are one team, one community, one family...35ONE!

„ Service is joy!

The playbook initiative Bringing the Values of the Playbook into Spring Service

During 35ONE Service Leadership Academy, Ambassadors were invited to engage in the Playbook Initiative, our anti-bias, anti-discrimination program in partnership with the Boston Celtics. Led by Alumni Playbook Trainers through interactive, small groups, Ambassadors discussed challenging and realistic social scenarios—building awareness, encouraging reflection, and developing the skills and confidence required to lead as upstanders and bridge builders.

And, these lessons don’t stop when Playbook Workshops end. At Project 351, we believe that service is our catalyst to creating inclusive and empowered communities. Through this Toolkit, we carry the spirit of the Playbook Initiative into Spring Service by including two Playbook-style scenarios, focused on issues of childhood poverty and access to everyday essentials. Please use the scenarios on the next page and page 129 for discussion with your Leadership Team or Service Hero Team, or reflect on them yourself to gain perspective and motivation to fuel your service!

Spring Service Scenario 1: Inspired by Playbook

By Class of 2017 Alumni: Justin Crosby, Middleton; KeeSeok Lee, Harvard; Sreenidhi Ravipati, Medway; and Ana Rodrigues, Taunton

You notice that a student in your class has been wearing the same shirt to school for the past week. Others notice, too, and begin to make fun of them. One of your friends calls attention to the student and laughingly suggests: “you should learn how to do laundry!” The student hears them and is hurt and upset. The next day, they are absent from school.

Discussion Questions

„ How will this teasing and ridicule impact the student’s confidence and experience at school?

„ Why do you think the other students made fun of the student for wearing the shirt for multiple days? What motivates the students’ teasing and lack of kindness?

„ You learn that the student wears the same clothing frequently because their family cannot afford new clothes. How would you feel if you were in their situation?

Intervention Options

„ Engage an educator or caring adult. In confidence, share the student’s challenge and their experience of bullying. Explore options of support, including C2C and Catie’s Closet.

„ Extend kindness to the student and help encourage their self-esteem. Share information about C2C and/or Catie’s Closet, and encourage them to engage an educator for support.

„ Model your leadership as bridge builder by expressing disappointment in your friends’ jokes at the expense of others. Advise that people often experience challenges out of their control. And, ridiculing others is not acceptable.

Project Dedication

As we begin Spring Service, we invite you to honor an individual(s) through a special Project Dedication. Someone who inspires you as a role model for service leadership -- a family member, mentor, educator, Service Hero, or someone you admire from afar.

Project Dedications motivate our best efforts. As you serve, use the inspiration of your Project Dedication to lead with excellence. And, as motivation when you face challenges. The generosity and kindness you will generate through service will be a wonderful testament to this important individual. What a great way to appreciate the impact of their example!

This spring, I dedicate my service to:

Why do you want to appreciate and honor this person?

What impact have they had on your life?

What leadership lessons have you learned from their example?

How will you model their example as you lead service Spring Service?

How to Use This Toolkit

This Toolkit is your guide for the first chapter of your Ambassador year. In it, you’ll find guidance, inspiration, best practices, and plenty of room to reflect, plan, and execute. But, the Toolkit is only valuable if you invest in it.

Each chapter is structured by three strategies for leading change: LEAD, ACT, & REFLECT. With each page turned, you’ll strengthen your efforts to provide care and support for the children served by Cradles to Crayons. So dive in and dream big!

1. Learn

As we learned throughout SLA, we can’t solve problems we don’t understand. And, to truly understand, we must seek knowledge, perspective, and wisdom from those most familiar, committed, and affected by the cause to which we are devoted.

THE WISDOM OF “FIVE”

Throughout this Toolkit, we’re going to pause and Take Five—an opportunity to reflect and learn from a Project 351 champion whose expertise we value. Each will share five lessons of leadership to guide and inform your service. We’re very grateful to our Take Five team for sharing their wisdom and believing in YOU!

ALUMNI INSPIRATION

The Class of 2025 stands on the shoulders on 5,229 Alumni who have worn the navy tee and served their community with excellence. Their reflections and lessons learned from leading Spring Service offer invaluable perspective.

2. Act

Your leadership of Spring Service will take many forms including building an Action Plan, team management, Spreading the Word (STW), and—of course—service! Each action should reflect our values and thoughtful intention, and be executed with optimism and joy!

GRAPHIC QUOTES

Every Toolkit chapter features an inspirational quote or statistic in graphic form that reflects or reinforces a key message. Each week, you will be given the same graphic to share on Instagram, Facebook, and other social media channels to help you STW!

3. Reflect

Leadership is a continuous journey. The best leaders dedicate time and effort to learn from each experience—both successes and challenges. By reflecting on strengths and opportunities for further growth, we ensure our next service mission will have even greater success.

QUESTIONS

Guiding questions invite your reflections and insights, and provide documentation of your leadership-in-action.

ACTION STEPS

At the close of each chapter, this summary of important priorities will help focus your efforts and maximize your time.

Glossary

These are key components of Spring Service and our vision for building community. This glossary will serve as a great guide throughout your service.

AMBASSADOR

Inspiring 8th grade leader committed to unite, act, lead in support of Cradles to Crayons!

ALUMNI

An experienced veteran of Project 351. Wise, supportive, encouraging, and filled with best practices from previous service projects.

CELEBRATE & APPRECIATE

A Project 351 tradition. After service is done, our efforts to express gratitude and enthusiastically share the impact of service with your team and community.

CRADLES TO CRAYONS (C2C)

High-impact nonprofit organization that provides children living in low income and homeless situations with the everyday essentials that allow them feel safe, warm, ready to learn, and valued. (See Chapter 2 for more C2C inspiration!)

EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS

The term C2C uses to describe new and like-new clothing, shoes, books, and educational toys they provide the children they serve.

KIDPACKS

C2C KidPacks are customized packages of everyday essential items tailored to an individual child's specific needs, and includes the child’s exact size clothing, coats, and shoes. Customized KidPacks foster dignity, pride, and joy.

LEADERSHIP TEAM (LT)

Friends, classmates, and teammates who will share valuable skills, ideas, and time to ensure the success of Spring Service.

QUALITY = DIGNITY

A C2C philosophy shared by Project 351 that reflects how we serve in community—with our very best and with respect for the communities we are privileged to serve. This Spring, our goal is to provide the children we are serving with high quality everyday essential items that they will be excited and proud to wear.

QUALITY SORT

The final step of Spring Service. Team-based service to prepare your donations for delivery. As you sort and pack, you will ensure that all clothing meet the "quality standard" provided by C2C. (Chapter 7 and Project 351 training will provide you with all the support you need to lead a Quality Sort.)

REGIONAL DROP-OFF LOCATION

Your destination on the weekend of April 12-13. Spring Service team members will deliver donations that have been “quality-checked,” sorted and packed to a regional location. Team members will be provided with the location and date/time for drop off. The Spring Service caravan will pick up donations from across the state and deliver them to C2C's Giving Factory. There, volunteers will begin immediate processing for distribution of KidPacks to children in need of our care.

SECONDARY ORGANIZATION

A nonprofit or community organization in your hometown that will receive donations that don’t meet C2C’s quality standards. This will ensure all of your donations will benefit community. You will learn more about how to confirm a site during Spring Service SLA. Options include Goodwill, the Salvation Army, Catie’s Closet, and other local nonprofits.

HOST SITE(S)

The location(s) of your Spring Service and a key partner in your efforts to mobilize others to donate clothing for C2C.

SPREAD THE WORD (STW)

Fun, creative, and very important efforts to advertise your Spring Service. (Chapter 5 and Project 351 training will provide you with all the support you need to STW!)

SUPPORT TEAM

In addition to your Host Site and Leadership Team, you can count on Project 351, your Regional Alumni, AMC team leader, and other caring adults for guidance and encouragement.

Spring service timeline

MARCH

FEBRUARY 26 Host Site Registration Deadline

MARCH 17 Complete Action Plan & Team Goals

= Date for Action Plan = Project 351 Zoom Call, 6:00 pm

APRIL 6

Confirm Secondary Organization for Donations & Your Transportation Plan for Regional Drop-Off

APRIL 12-13 Regional Drop-off WEEK OF APRIL 14 Celebrate & Appreciate

MARCH 31-APRIL 11 Spring Service! BY APRIL 20

APRIL 2 Call #5: Quality Sort & Measuring Impact

APRIL

Complete Spring Service Survey & Submit Donation Totals to Project 351

March 2025

Spring Service Call #1: Power Launching Spring Service!

Spring Service Call #2: Spread the Word (STW)

Spring Service Call #3: Ready, Set, Serve!

Spring Service Best Practice Regional Roundatbles by Zoom

April 2025

Spring Service Call #5: Quality Sort & Measuring Impact

Spring Service Clothing Drives

Regional Donation Drop-offs!

Spring Service Call #6: Celebrate & Appreciate Celebration of Spring Service Impact by Zoom

Regional Donation Drop-offs!

Spring Service Clothing Drives

Post, Like, & Share to Change the World

Social media is a powerful platform for changing the world. The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, championed by Service Hero Pete Frates is just one example of the global scale and life saving impact of a viral social media phenomenon. The Challenge motivated people around the world to dump a bucket of ice over their head, post an image, donate to ALS, and tag friends and family as a challenge to do the same. In 2014, 17 million people accepted the challenge, generating 10 billion views by more than 440 million people! And, an astonishing $115 million was raised in just eight weeks! That investment tripled the research budget of the ALS Association, yielding break-through scientific discovery and greater hope for those affected by ALS.

To set a strong foundation for your social media efforts, let’s cover some basics.

You can find Project 351 at:

Facebook: @TeamProject351

Instagram: @project351

And you can find Cradles to Crayons at:

Facebook: @c2cboston

Twitter: @c2cboston

Instagram: @c2cboston

Hashtags we’ll highlight for use throughout Spring Service:

#p351SpringService

#UniteActLead

#STW (short for Spread the Word!)

#ReadySetServe

Tips

Tag our Project 351 accounts in your posts!

Use #p351SpringService in all your posts. Project 351 will provide hashtags guidance for Spring Service milestones (e.g. Quality Sort).

STW (Spread the Word). Social media is a megaphone for service. Post details (time, date, location, wish list) to encourage donations.

A picture is worth 1,000 words. We’ve all heard that before! In service, that’s especially true. Snaps of your STW materials, your LT in action, and overflowing donation bins builds the interest and support of your followers.

Express gratitude. Use social media to appreciate Cradles to Crayons, your host site, Leadership Team, community partners, and other stakeholders. Tag them in your posts.

Gain knowledge & big ideas. Use your team group chats, and other social media accounts to share creative ideas and ask for advice from your fellow Ambassadors. And if you borrow someone else’s idea, use social media to thank them!

ALUMNI INSPIRATION

NAME Rediet Abayneh

TOWN Worcester YEAR 2022

IN EIGHTH GRADE, I WAS... a Leader

What is the first step you take to build a foundation for service projects?

Brainstorm and write down every idea! Even if it seems like something that will be too complicated or difficult to achieve, it’s important to get your thoughts on paper so you can begin creating a plan.

What do you think about when looking for Host Sites?

I look for potential host sites that are easily accessible in my community. I try to find a location that is well-known, frequently visited, and easy to get to. Always remember, your community is open to helping, you just have to ask!

My advice to Ambassadors is...

Have fun! Yes, Project 351 is about helping our communities, but it’s important to remember that service is joy, so...enjoy yourself and be present in the moment! It is scary at first, but the 35ONE community is kind, helpful, and supportive. Don’t be afraid to start—you’re on the right track!

Chapter

1

Building A Strong Foundation

Leadership Goals

> Build on Service Leadership Academy inspiration and commit to lead Spring Service in your hometown.

> Recruit a Host Site and the support of a caring adult with preparation, respect and appreciation.

> Unite with Ambassadors across the state as 35ONE team in support of Cradles to Crayons.

What is Spring Service?

A statewide service campaign led by Project 351 Ambassadors and Alumni to collect like-new children’s clothing (all sizes are welcome!) in support of Cradles to Crayons. Weekly training will build leadership skills and support step-by-step project development and community engagement. Spring Service Clothing Drives will take place during the weeks of March 31 and April 7 and will demonstrate the amazing impact created when young people unite to make a difference.

The Basics

Congratulations! You have successfully registered your Spring Service project. You have:

The commitment to serve and lead

Your parent/guardian permission

The approval of Host Site

Confirmed dates of your Spring Service

Goals for Spring Service

Before we begin, it’s important to remember the Purpose & Goals of Spring Service. Below, you will find our service goals. These are important guideposts for the service ahead.

1. Lead

Ambassador-led service in your hometown to make a difference in the lives of thousands of children facing extreme economic challenges and/or homelessness.

2. Collect

Collect, sort, and prepare critically needed gently-used clothing for distribution to thousands of families.

3. Develop

Develop leadership and communication skills; build awareness of key issues facing our communities; and strengthen attributes of compassion, inclusion, and gratitude.

4. Build

Build unity and pride of your school and hometown; Service Hero team; and 35ONE community.

5. Demonstrate

Demonstrate what young leaders can do when they UNITE. ACT. LEAD. in their hometowns and as a statewide Project 351 team.

In addition to our Project 351 goals, you will also have individual goals that reflect YOUR hopes and motivation, and goals of your team, school, and community. These will help shape YOUR unique project vision and will bring greater meaning and fun to your service.

Spring Service Roadmap

1

Confirm The Basics: Location, Dates, Leadership Team, & Action Plan

2

Spread the word!

Let friends, family, classmates, and neighbors know WHERE, WHEN, WHAT & WHO you are collecting for.

What items should I collect?

C2C will provide us with a wish list for gently used and like-new children’s clothing items and shoes. All sizes are welcome!

3

Collect donations

WHEN: MARCH 31 - APRIL 11

Your Spring Service drive is finally here! Keep your community motivated by sharing drive dates and the locations of your collection bins!

4

Quality Sort

WHEN: BY APRIL 11

Quality = Dignity. You will be trained to prepare your donations for drop off and to build team at the same time!

What do I collect donations in?

Engage your Leadership Team to decorate cardboard boxes or other large containers with wrapping paper, fliers, artwork, and other creative messages to encourage your community to donate!

5

Donation Delivery

WHEN: APRIL 12-13

Spring Service team members will be assigned a regional drop-off location for your donations. Project 351 will provide detailed information including driving directions.

CELEBRATE & Appreciate

WHEN: WEEK OF APRIL 13

Gratitude defines a Project 351 leader. Express thanks to the team & community that supported you. Share impact numbers & pictures to inspire their continued support.

The Giving Factory

TAKE FIVE How to Recruit Your Principal as a Partner in Spring Service

Mary Cringan, Chair, Project 351 Educators’ Advisory Group

Congratulations on your selection as Ambassador! Thank you for accepting the responsibility of leadership and embracing the opportunity to create positive change through service. For the last nine years, I’ve had the privilege of serving as Chair of Project 351’s Educators’ Advisory Group (EAG). In my role, I work with the Project 351 team, educators, Alumni, and Ambassadors to build our movement for service. Now retired, I spent four decades as an educator. And in my last five years as a principal, I supported my schools’ Project 351 Ambassador on Spring Service. I share my experiences and those of the EAG as encouragement to recruit your principal as a key member of your Spring Service Leadership Team.

1. We are excited to serve! For many principals, Spring Service is an annual tradition and important milestone of our school calendar. For those educators new to Project 351, Spring Service is a great opportunity to build support. Whether a veteran of Project 351 or in their first year, your principal cares about your leadership and will be interested in your Spring Service vision. So, move “meeting with my principal” to the top of your Action Steps! Reach out to request a meeting with respect, kindness, and gratitude.

2. Preparation is key. Step one of a successful meeting is on-time arrival! Step two is your preparedness. Take time to assess what you want to say and create an outline to help guide you. Share your Launch Day and 35ONE Service Leadership Academy experience and role as Ambassador. Provide an overview of Spring Service. Know the “why” of your service and your goals. Be clear about the support you respectfully request. Make a check list!

Leadership Tip: Ask your Principal about their goals and hopes for Spring Service. Then, build a shared vision with shared objectives. Your support of your principal/school’s goals will strengthen their enthusiasm for your goals! The best partnerships are always win-win!

3. A thank you note goes a long way! As you now know, gratitude is a core value of Project 351 leaders. You can model that value by expressing appreciation in an follow-up email or handwritten note. Be sure to restate your shared goals of Spring Service, the commitments made by your Principal, and the Action Steps identified.

4. Weekly communication helps ensure success. Your principal and you will be aided by a weekly check-in meeting. Even 15 minutes, if well-organized, can be very effective in ensuring you are on track with project milestones and deadlines. Weekly check-ins also provide a forum for questions, new ideas, and trouble-shooting challenges. As with your first meeting, send a thank you note with a recap of your discussion. This organizing tool creates a written record of expectations and actions steps, and will help both your principal and you succeed!

5. Engage your Principal to make your goals and ideas a reality. My first Spring Service was as principal of the Thomas Prince School in Princeton. Our Ambassador Autumn wanted to host a school-wide competition to encourage donations; with an assembly to celebrate the winner. She and her LT had a clear vision, a well thought-out plan, and endless enthusiasm. I couldn’t say no! With the help of the faculty, our assembly turned into a community-wide celebration of our students and their service. It was one of the best days of the year and a memory I’ll never forget! (P.S. Autumn has remained involved with Project 351 for the last 12 years. She now serves on the Leadership Team as a member of the Medical Team!)

Your principal is very proud that you are representing your school and community as Ambassador. Their selection reflects their faith in your leadership and hope for your success. Spring Service is an opportunity to demonstrate that your principal’s trust is well placed. And, that you are eager to share Project 351 in a way that benefits the whole school community. By teaming-up with your principal, you can inspire unity, greater kindness and compassion, and school pride. I wish you the best of luck as you build a partnership for service!

The Foundation of Your Project

Let’s capture the people, places, and dates that will make your Spring Service possible!

Host Site Contact

Name:

Email: Phone:

Host Site Weekly Call Date & Time:

AMC Team Leader

Name:

Email: Phone:

Other Caring Adults

Name:

Email: Phone:

My Secondary Organization

Name:

Mission:

Address:

Phone:

Date/Time of Delivery/Pick Up:

351 Reflection

Often the most challenging part of any service project is getting started. Once you’ve built a foundation and you’re motivated to serve, you are well on your way to making an important difference!

Three reasons you are motivated to serve the children impacted by Cradles to Crayons:

Five steps you are going to take to build a strong foundation for service:

One word that describes how you feel about your first project as an Ambassador: 1. LEADERSHIP TIP: At your first team meeting, engage your LT in this reflection. Their “why?” will motivate service excellence, as will their ideas for a strong foundation of Spring Service.

Ambassador Voice Project Dedications

“I dedicate my Spring Service to all of the individuals in need of kindness and support during difficult times. I want to ensure that I do my small part to help others that are less fortunate, and hopefully inspire others to do the same. ”

CAOIMHE ASSAD AMBASSADOR, MASHPEE

I dedicate my project to...

“I dedicate my Spring Service to Central Mass families in need, who inspire us with their resilence, and help us discover what we must do in order to help. I am motivated to lead Spring Service so I can connect with my community and discover the goodness found in doing service.”

ZOEY SALVADORE AMBASSADOR, NEW BRAINTREE

ACTION STEPS

ENGAGE your Host Site contact and confirm permission & support.

SCHEDULE weekly check-ins with your Host Site contact. This could be Zoom, phone call, email, or an in-person meeting.

DETERMINE start and end dates for your clothing drive. Confirm these dates with your Host Site contact.

IDENTIFY a collection plan—this could be a combination of collection bins, online donation options, and/or contactless pick-ups!

Get in trouble... Good Trouble ...necessary trouble.

Congressman John Lewis

Civil Rights Legend • Service Hero

“

A Partnership in Support of Children

Leadership Goals

> Build knowledge and inspiration through research of Cradles to Crayons’ mission.

> Gain motivation and pride from history of Project 351’s decade-long partnership and impact.

> Develop understanding of strong partnerships for greater service impact.

OUR Commitment & VISION

Our Commitment

Project 351 is a community of young leaders with big hearts and caring spirits. You know that every child needs love and support to help them grow, learn, and lead. As a community, we are particularly committed to serve children who are in challenging circumstances, such as poverty and homelessness.

Our Spring Service supports the mission of Cradles to Crayons (C2C), a beloved partner of Project 351 since 2011. We are honored to support C2C in their vital work to provide every child with the essentials they need to feel safe, warm, ready to learn, and valued.

Our Spring Service Mission

Providing comfort and support for children in need of our care across the Commonwealth.

Poverty in Massachusetts

We live in challenging and divisive times, but it is IN YOUR HANDS to build unity, foster compassion, and engage the generosity of your generation as a source of hope and healing. Of late, our world is riven by political polarization, an increase in identity-based bias and discrimination, the climate crisis, racial and social injustice, a youth mental health crisis, and economic uncertainty. These challenges have been especially devastating for low-income families. Greater knowledge of how poverty affects our communities fuels our urgent responsibility to work together and alleviate its consequences. As we deepen our knowledge, we understand that poverty disproportionately affects some members of our community—particularly those who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color). This unfair impact is rooted in longstanding societal inequalities that perpetuate poverty.

1 of 6 households with children report they may be unable to pay their rent or mortgage in the next month. This number for Black and Latinx households is twice that of white households

(Source: Massachusetts Budget & Policy Center)

43% of children live in a household struggling to afford their usual household expenses right now. (Source: Cradles to Crayons)

Diaper demand has increased upwards of 300% within the C2C network and beyond. (Source: Cradles to Crayons)

1 in 5 children in Massachusetts live in a food insecure house, which has more than doubled from last year. (Source: Cradles to Crayons)

When a family enters a shelter, they are only allowed two bags of belongings—total. (Source: Massachusetts Department of Housing & Community Development)

Your leadership of Spring Service begins with building knowledge of the partner and community with whom we are privileged to serve. Understanding the “why?” of Cradles to Crayon’s mission and model, inspires our greater purpose and commitment to excellence.

At Cradles to Crayons (C2C), “it’s more than a cause...it’s a kid.” C2C staff and volunteers, and our Spring Service team, share a passion to ensure every child has the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. As partners in service, C2C and Project 351 work toward a future without childhood poverty. Cradles to Crayons staff and volunteers are passionately dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of these children.

Understanding C2C’s vision and mission is an important responsibility of leading Spring Service.

VISION

One day, every child in need will have the essentials to feel safe, warm, ready to learn, and valued.

MISSION

Cradles to Crayons provides children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive—at home, at school and at play. They supply these items free of charge by engaging and connecting communities across the Commonwealth through service and generosity.

3 .4 m CHILDREN SERVED IN MASSACHUSETTS, CHICAGO, AND GREATER PHILADELPHIA

562,979

VOLUNTEERS ENGAGED

ACHIEVES MISSION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH 473

SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES

C2C Partner organizations

C2C partners with nonprofits, schools, and other organizations all across the state to distribute everyday essentials to children. Each dot on this map represents a partner organization, which distributes thousands of C2C essentials in their region.

Project 351 & Cradles to Crayons: Champions of

Children

SINCE 2012,

PROJECT 351 AMBASSADORS & ALUMNI HAVE IMPACTED

CHILDREN SERVED BY CRADLES TO CRAYONS = 500 PEOPLE

Inspirational Leadership: The 2024 Spring Service Team

The 2024 Spring Service team was defined by compassion, resourcefulness, and resolve. The power of 35ONE was glowing throughout service!

With creativity, collaboration, and the support of educators and caring adults, the seemingly impossible became possible. At a time of greatest need at C2C, Ambassadors and Alumni mobilized 279 communities at more than 487 host sites to lead with love and serve with compassion.

6,917

QUALITY SORTED BAGS OF CLOTHING AND SHOES

20,751

CHILDREN POSITIVELY IMPACTED

Leadership Lesson

To inspire others to serve, YOU must be inspired to serve! Your passion for making a difference and knowledge of the partner or community you are privileged to serve is great motivation for family and friends. Your example and dedication will encourage teamwork, unity, and countless acts of kindness and support. Before you begin any service project, invest time to learn about the issue you’ll impact and the organization you’re supporting. This knowledge will give you a strong foundation for success.

A Partnership in Support of Children

In fourteen years of Spring Service for C2C, Ambassadors have positively impacted 202,671 children! Each one a starfish, with dreams that we’re honored to support.

But, how does your hometown Spring Service project turn into hope and dignity for a child and their family? Through a cycle of goodness and generosity powered by a statewide community of volunteers.

Over two months, hundreds of miles, and countless hours of volunteer leadership, Project 351 and C2C execute the steps required to support thousands of children across Massachusetts.

Cycle of Generosity

This Spring, this cycle of goodness and generosity starts

with you!

In its simplest form, our partnership with C2C includes the following responsibilities:

Spring Service Team: Clothing Drive, Quality Sort, Regional Drop-off

C2C: Regional Pick-Up, Kit Creation, Delivery to Family

What essentials do C2C provide?

A week’s worth of outfits for a child:

a pair of shoes or boots

Source: Cradles to Crayons

And, may include some or all of the following—customized for each child:

Winter Coat or Spring/Fall Jacket

Book Pack (5 books based on reading level)

School Supplies/Arts & Crafts Pack (general school supplies based on age level)

Nursery Items

Important note: The focus of our Spring Service drive is on children’s clothes and shoes. C2C partners with others to gather the rest of the items listed.

Reflections & Gratitude from C2C Community

These everyday essentials bring joy to children and happiness to the adults who care for them. These reflections provide perspective on the important impact you will make.

“Thank you for all of the things you gave us. It blew my mind away to another galaxy!”

CHILD

“Jessica is a 12 year old girl who was always late to school because she spent a lot of time figuring out what to wear. Her only jacket was so small and dirty that she was ashamed to wear it in front of the other kids. She received a new winter jacket and has been in school on time almost every day since.”

TEACHER

“Families from Afghanistan have started to arrive in Cambridge. All have received resources but one family stands out - two teenage siblings arrived in the U.S. alone because they lost both their parents. They were able to come to Cambridge and stay with a host family. The host family reached out to us because the kids needed everything. We were able to provide them with warm coats, backpacks, and toiletries. All from Cradles to Crayons.”

SERVICE PARTNER

“I’ve never seen a child look so happy to get a winter jacket as she did! She was very excited to have something that looked nice and was her very own. She’s so proud of her new coat.”

PARENT

Sunshine

C2C receives thousands of cards, drawings, and letters of gratitude from the children & families they serve. They call these “sunshine”! We hope these works of art and words of appreciation motivate your best efforts. This Spring, let’s light up Massachusetts with as much sunshine as possible!

TAKE FIVE

How to be a Champion for Children

Katy DeMoura, Associate Director of Partnerships, Cradles to Crayons

The great reward of working at Cradles to Crayons is the deep faith I’ve developed in the community as a whole. I’ve learned that even in a place as vast and diverse as Massachusetts, we are one big village of neighbors who care deeply for each other’s wellbeing. Every day, I see an overwhelming need, but I also witness an overwhelming response from the community. From champions of children like you.

A champion is inspired by the goodness of every child and is committed to their potential. A champion elevates a child’s needs and inspires their friends and neighbors to help. A champion for children sees the value in each contribution, big and small. It all starts here, with you. You are a part of Project 351, an incredible community of young leaders with big hearts and caring spirits. Together, you have the power to make a positive difference in the lives of thousands of children. As you lead, I offer five tips that inspire my work as a champion for children. I hope they inspire you, too.

1. Bring passion to your project. Passion will empower and engage the hearts and minds of those around you. Passion is the ingredient that will keep your community connected to the greater purpose of your Spring Service project. Remember, you’re collecting more than clothing, you’re gathering hope, kindness, and care.

2. Be prepared. Take the time to learn about the issues you’ll help to address through your service project. Collaborate with those who have experience, ask questions from those you respect. Take advantage of weekly calls with Carolyn Casey—she always slips in a few pearls of wisdom to help start the week off strong!

3. Speak with compassion. Show respect for the dignity of the person you are addressing and for the children you are serving. Motivate others by your example. Remember, it’s always the right time to engage in acts of service and compassion for others.

4. Show gratitude. A strong leader listens, encourages teamwork, and recognizes others. Be appreciative and respectful to all who show you support.

5. Have fun and be proud of everything you accomplish. And, know that every day the Cradles to Crayons team is proud and grateful for you!

Spring Service Wish List

We are collecting clothing that will bring joy, comfort, and self-esteem to thousands of children across the state. It is a privilege to support Cradles to Crayons in their mission to help children reach their unlimited potential by equipping them with every day essentials.

What

Children’s clothing and shoes

What Condition

New, like new, or gently used

A good question to ask yourself: “Would my young sibling/cousin or I be proud to wear this item of clothing?”

What Size

Everday child-appropriate clothing & shoes in all sizes, from newborn to adult sizing

351 Reflection

Strong partnerships are built on shared values, a common mission, respect for one another’s strengths, clear lines of responsibility, candid and frequent communication, and an attitude of gratitude.

Partners must be active listeners, engaged collaborators, and humble contributors to a shared goal.

Three ways you hope to bring care and comfort to the children served by Cradles to Crayons:

Five clubs, teams, or organizations you want to recruit as partners:

One important trait of a good partner:

LEADERSHIP TIP: Share this exercise with your LT and capture their ideas as you build a united vision for Spring Service.

Ambassador Voice: I Believe Every Child Deserves

“No kid should ever have to worry about not having clothes. I dedicate my Spring Service to all the kids that feel like they are ‘less-than’. I want them to feel equally worthy to their peers, without concern for the appearance of their clothing.”

MACY CHRISTENSEN, AMBASSADOR, SANDWICH

“My WHY is that every child deserves to feel warm, confident, and cared for. Clothing isn’t just fabric— it’s dignity, comfort, and a chance to focus on being a kid instead of worrying about what you don’t have. If we can make even one child feel seen, valued, and safe, then every effort is worth it. This drive, no matter how many people we can help, makes kids know they matter. This in addition to providing safety and protection.”

I believe that every child deserves... .

DIANA DESANTO, AMBASSADOR, GRANVILLE

ACTION STEPS

VISIT Cradles to Crayons’ website:

WATCH the “Everyday Essentials” video for Inspiration.

REVIEW statistics related to poverty and homelessness.

RESEARCH the issue of youth poverty in your hometown and region.

SELECT facts and inspiration—from this Toolkit, C2C website, and your own research— to share with your Leadership Team and others you want to recruit to serve.

HEROES because heroes give “ “HOPE . Children need

Geoffrey Canada

Founder, Harlem Children’s Zone

ALUMNI INSPIRATION

NAME Pranav Govindarajan

TOWN Holliston YEAR 2019

IN EIGHTH GRADE, I WAS... Grateful

What is the first step you take when building a plan for service?

When I start building a plan for service, I draft a timeline with deadlines to help me plan every step of the drive so the execution is smooth and well thought-out. It is critical to include the list of host sites you have in mind and a timeline to reach out to them well ahead of your service drive dates.

What are key actions for a successful service campaign?

Never hesitate to reach out to different resources to spread the word about your Spring Service campaign. The worst that could happen is they might say no. Work on making connections and growing your circle of friends so you can make a bigger impact. Local newspapers, flyers across your community, Facebook posts on the town pages, announcements in school assemblies, and newsletters sent by host sites are all great ways to STW.

Advice for the Ambassador Class...

You are incredible! The impact you can make in your community is huge. However, the impact you can make together with your fellow 35ONE community will be even greater. Project 351 is not just a year of service. It is a service journey you commit yourself to in order to understand the goodness around us and how we can multiply it to benefit thousands of people in our local communities.

Building An Action Plan For Success

Leadership Goals

> Capture your vision in a plan for action, teamwork, and success.

> Plan all aspects of your service with focus on clear goals, deadlines, positive energy, and accountability.

> Inspire others by demonstrating that change is possible. You just need a strong Action Plan and a united team!

Creating an Action Plan

Creating an Action Plan is essential to the success of Spring Service. It will serve as a compass for big ideas, deadlines, safe service guidelines, important meetings, and opportunities to celebrate and appreciate those who served. To begin, it’s important to REFLECT SET GOALS.

1 . Your Role As a Leader

The first step for developing your Action Plan is reflection on your special gifts and interests as a leader.

Leadership Attributes

Project 351 Alumni have cited these skills & traits as essential to their success leading Spring Service. Take a moment to IDENTIFY your skills. What are you good at? What are your talents? What are your traits that bring special pride and joy?

2 . Goal Setting

Setting goals creates a destination for your Action Plan. The end point for your planning, hard work, community engagement, and acts of kindness and generosity.

The “Act” section of this chapter will provide you with a framework and prompting questions to set specific goals for your Leadership Team, your partnerships, and for yourself! The next chapter of the Toolkit will take you through the steps of recruiting and uniting your Leadership Team.

My Leadership Style

With the support of Project 351 and a caring adult, develop your Action Plan. Use this page to reflect upon your special gifts, interests, and resources as leader.

Groups, Teams, Interests (e.g. Scouts, student government, sports team, theater)

Experience (e.g. Project 351!, other service and leadership experiences)

Motivation (e.g. why do you want to support the children served by Cradles to Crayons?)

How will you use your special gifts and interests to create your plan for positive change?

The leadership skills I want to develop through Spring Service are:

Teamwork

Communication

Project Planning

Other Skills:

Confidence

How To Make A Difference

Inspiring Others To Act

Skills that I already have, but want to improve are:

My Spring Service training and experience can help strengthen these skills by:

Goal Setting

Spring Service relies on strong team work and partnerships. Help ensure your success by defining goals for each. When those goals are realized, everyone succeeds and more children are served!

Cradles to Crayons

How will your Spring Service create positive change for children affected by poverty and homelessness?

Your School/Community

How will participating in Spring Service have a positive impact on your school and community?

How can you build awareness of childhood poverty and homelessness in Massachusetts?

Your Leadership Team

How can your help your teammates gain skills and enthusiasm for service?

How will you motivate your Team to unite, act, lead for C2C?

How will you make your Team feel valued and appreciated?

You

Reflect upon the following questions and statements and reference them throughout planning as motivation for your service.

What does it mean to lead your school/community as an Ambassador?

Pick one of Project 351’s leadership values—kindness, compassion, humility, gratitude—and reflect upon how you will strengthen this value through service.

What actions will you take that reflect that value?

Your definition of “success” for Spring Service is:

Close your eyes and imagine a young child, living at a shelter, opening their C2C KidPack, filled with “like new” items they requested. Items donated by you and your community. How do you hope they feel?

3 . Planning the Work

Your planning calendar at the front of this toolkit will record dates, actions, and milestones. It will guide your weekly “to do’s,” provide clarity for Leadership Team assignments, and give you important perspective on your efforts to “Unite, Act, Lead.”

Over the next month your service will go through important stages of development. These stages are replicable for any service project you decide to pursue as you continue to change the world. You will use these to help complete your Action Plan.

Inspiration

Experiencing the power of the Ambassador community through Spring Service Leadership Academy

Recruitment

Leadership & Support Teams—Recruit teams for service

February 26 - March 12

Vision Action Plan—Secure Project Basics

February 26 - March 17

Development

Confirm Action Plan Elements and Service Essentials

By March 17

Execution LEAD!

Spread the Word: March 19 - April 11

Service: Dates between March 31 - April 11

Quality Sort: by April 11

Regional Drop-off: April 12 - April 13

Celebration & Appreciation

Document impact—communicate gratitude Week of April 13

My Spring Service Goals

Cradles to Crayons

Number of bags of donations:

I want the children we serve to feel:

School/Community

Number of donors/supporters:

I want my school/community to be positively impacted in the following ways:

Your Leadership Team

Skills I hope my teammates and I learn from one another:

On the final day of service—when all of our donations are delivered and counted— I want my team to feel:

4 . How to Turn Your Plan Into Action!

An Action Plan is the blueprint to service success. Writing it is one thing, bringing your plan to life is another. And, a lot more fun!

Your Action Plan will include focus areas that will help ensure success—for example, advertising your service (which we call “Spread the Word” or STW). In addition to your Action Plan template, you will receive a worksheet to organize each focus areas. The template will provide space for your team to complete based on the tasks and dates YOU dream up and decide. It will break areas down in five categories to help you manage your plan and team for success.

WHAT?

WHO?

DEADLINE

TOOLS

WHY?

Focus area or set of tasks

Individual/team responsible for executing the focus area

Date when the task needs to be complete

Resources required for success (for example for STW—fliers, announcements, video)

What is the importance of this task, how will it contribute to successful service? As you lead, it’s important to communicate the connection between “action” and “results.” It will help motivate your team!

Your Spring Service Action Plan will feature the following focus areas:

„ Partnership Management: Your management of your Action Plan with your Host Site contact, Leadership Team, and Support Team.

„ Operations & Transportation: The essentials of service (collection bins, locations) and support for transportation to regional drop off location.

„ Spread the Word: Plan and tools to communicate and build awareness of C2C, Project 351, and your Spring Service details.

„ Celebrate & Appreciate: Your vision for expressing gratitude and celebrating impact with those who made your Spring Service success possible!

TAKE FIVE Finding your “Why” of Service

Stephen Spaloss, Senior Vice President, City Year

Your commitment to lead with compassion is an inspiration to me. The key to your integrity as a leader and effectiveness in service is to dig deep and understand the “why” behind your service. To connect intention to action. And, compassion to project planning. Every time you serve, find your “why”.

Here’s my Take Five on how to get to your “why”.

1. Start with your life experience. Are there people, places, events that first inspired your commitment to children facing homelessness or unfair economic challenges? Have you or someone you care for been the recipient of acts of kindness at a time of great challenge? Do you hope that your example of service inspires your friends and community to serve? Are there leadership skills you hope to gain through service?

2. Be a student of service. The more knowledge you gain, the more powerful your “why”. So research Cradles to Crayons. Soak up the wisdom of this Toolkit. Ask your ALC and Service Hero teammates for advice and ideas. Go online to learn about the challenges children face in Massachusetts. Uncover the inequities and lack of resources that too many children experience. Understand how your service can help them reach their potential.

3. Use the power of reflection. How do you think about big ideas and decisions? Writing, poetry, conversations with a mentor, quiet time, motivational music. Leaders reflect, assess, and envision the change the lies ahead.

4. Respect the dignity of those you serve. At City Year and Project 351, we serve WITH not IN community. Central to our “why” is the understanding that every person, neighborhood, community has an abundance of gifts. Sometimes, they just lack the material means to make their goals and dreams possible. It’s more than just punching a clock when you serve. The act of service is a privilege. We enter community with humility and respect, to offer our gifts of time, creativity, and commitment. Together—WITH community—we forge unity and uplift humanity.

5. Go big. You’re a Project 351 Ambassador! Dream big. Imagine the world you want to create. And, go build it!

Now, finish this sentence: “I serve because…”. Throw out the rules of grammar and just write down the words and phrases that reflect your motivation as Ambassador. Capture what gives your service greatest meaning. Your “I serve” statement doesn’t have to read like poetry. It just needs to be authentic and true.

Revisit your “I serve” statement throughout Spring Service for inspiration. Continue to revise until you’ve best captured your service motivation and intention. Once you have your personal “why”, embrace it as your North Star to help guide your way.

Write your final “I serve because” statement below, color it, decorate it, and post it to social media using the hashtags: #Project351 #UniteActLead

351 Reflection

An Action Plan reflects collaboration, a clear set of priorities, and your blueprint to make your service vision a reality—one step at a time.

Three most important skills required to manage your Action Plan: 1. 2. 3.

Five key Action Plan milestones that will ensure the success of your service: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

One Action Plan date you’re most looking forward to is: 1. Why?

Ambassador Voice:

Why We Serve

“I’m motivated to lead Spring Service to give back to my community and all the children impacted by clothing insecurity. I believe that no child should go without adequate clothing, especially in the cold Massachusetts winters. I also hope to encourage kids in my community to be more open about their own struggles and how we can be support them.

BROOKLYN

ELZY,

AMBASSADOR, PEPPERELL

“My motivation to lead Spring Service is the immense blessing and opportunity to be able to help and be a blessing to others.”

DIONNE QUANSAH AMBASSADOR, LEOMINSTER

“My WHY for Spring Service is happiness. I think that everyone deserves to be happy! Taking part in this Spring Service is a step towards creating happiness for others. ”

NIKOLAS CORACCIO AMBASSADOR, OXFORD

My why...

ACTION STEPS

TAKE STOCK of your special gifts, interests, and resources as leader.

USE the framework in this Toolkit to set goals for each of your partnerships, your project, and yourself.

CREATE a project schedule provided by Project 351 and add your own important meetings and milestones. Your key dates may include:

Weekly Spring SLA Training Calls

Dates of Service

Meetings: Leadership Team, Host Site Contact, Countdown-to-Serve, Post-Service Team Debrief

Spread the Word Milestones

School or Community Events: Opportunities to incorporate as part of Spread the Word, or to use as collection sites.

Dates of Service

Dates for Quality Sort

INCORPORATE your goals and project schedule into your final Action Plan!

CREATE an outline for how you will present your Action Plan to your Leadership Team.

“

Education

is the key. Application is the ignition.

“

Jaylen

Brown Boston Celtics

Recruit & Unite Your Team

Leadership Goals

> Recruit friends, family, teammates, and others to join your service.

> Build a strong and united team by engaging their ideas and skills on specific project teams.

TAKE FIVE

Leading a Team

Lisa Fortenberry Spaloss; Executive Director, Camp Harbor View

Project 351. One team. One community. Your strength lies in your shared efforts towards a common goal. Leading change requires collaboration, communication, and the contributions of skill, talent, and ideas from many individuals. Effective team management is essential to service success. And, this Spring, your service success translates into more donations in support of Cradles to Crayons. Let’s “Take Five” and reflect on team leadership...

1. Start with your team’s end goal in mind. Envision what success will look like, then work as a team to break down and plan the steps to get you there.

2. Lead with your authentic self. People recognize inauthenticity. So, be YOU! Share your enthusiasm, special skills, and why YOU’RE inspired to serve C2C.

3. Delegate and share leadership. People want to feel trusted and empowered, so let them share ideas, embrace responsibility, and take on important tasks. Give your teammates opportunities to demonstrate their ability to be effective.

4. When faced with a challenge or road block, have the courage and confidence to make difficult decisions. People want to be led. Be a strong leader in times of challenge and when decisions have to be made.

5. Don’t be afraid to fail. When you face an obstacle, take time to step back, reflect, and learn. Future excellence is a product of trial and error.

Your Leadership Team

In Chapter 3, you reflected upon the special gifts, experiences, and interests that help make you a strong leader. Now, it’s time to do the same for friends, family, and your school/community. You know they’re special...and it would be great to convince them to share their unique attributes in service this Spring.

Think about the skills and talent you will need on your team. Some of these include: energy, creativity, teamwork, commitment to service, organization, and kindness. What are some other desired attributes of teammates?

What size Leadership Team should you build? In the past, Ambassadors have led teams between 3 to 30+ members. To decide, consider your service goals, scope of project, and how many people you hope to engage as donors to your service. A team of 10-12 members works well!

Goal for size of Leadership Team:

Brainstorm the friends, clubs, organizations, and caring adults who will make your service the best it can be.

Leading a Team

The privilege of serving others is a gift. Use this gift to make a positive difference for community AND to learn and grow as a leader. Open your mind, heart, and hands as you serve. Provide vision and direction, but be sure to listen, foster teamwork, and appreciate others. And, incorporate their ideas and skills. Leadership requires confidence, but also humility. Strive to lead your team and everyone you encounter in a manner that reflects your very best self. Demonstrate Project 351’s values: Kindness, Compassion, Humility, and Gratitude.

As you lead, you will learn about important issues, create new friendships, and discover a whole new set of special skills. These gifts of service will only strengthen as you continue to lead change. Use the following pages as a guide for leading a team!

During team meetings, pause to ask for reaction, ideas, and questions. Demonstrate your respect for your LT by valuing and incorporating their ideas into your Action Plan.

Leadership Lesson

Friends/Classmates

Family/Neighbors

IMPACT

Clubs/Student Council/Teams

Educators/Caring Adults

2 . MOBILIZE through “IDEAS”

IMPACT

Identify roles/committees

What kind of work needs to be done? How can you break up the work evenly among team members? (Please see the chart on the next page.)

Determine team size

How many people do you need on your team to be successful? How many team members will it take to perform each task? Can one person work on multiple committees/tasks?

Engage

Who has the necessary skills to complete each task? How will each team member’s talents and skills be valued and maximized? How will they feel successful?

Appreciate

How can you best motivate team members to stay excited about supporting Cradles to Crayons? What are some creative ways to demonstrate gratitude throughout service?

Summarize

What is the most effective way to communicate the Action Plan and progress each week? What is the best way to follow up with team members about tasks/ assignments? How can you communicate clearly and concisely?

3 . DELEGATE

MOBILIZE RECRUIT

DELEGATE

COMMUNICATE

IMPACT

Build teams based on interest, skill, and talent. Spring Service will require at least three subcommittees or teams: Spread the Word, Operations & Transportation, and Celebrate & Appreciate.

FOCUS AREA

YOU!

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Build and manage relationships with Host Site, Leadership Team, and other local partners in your Spring Service (e.g. Student Council).

2. Develop and track Action Plan to ensure success.

3. Build awareness and recruit support for Cradles to Crayons.

4. Build awareness for Project 351 and inspire others to embrace service.

5. Communicate impact; appreciate the support of school and community.

Operations & Transportation

1. Identify and confirm “high traffic” locations for collection bins.

2. Track and record donations on a daily basis.

3. Recruit and prepare materials for a successful Quality Sort.

4. Manage a successful Quality Sort to prepare donations for transportation for regional drop-off location.

1. Develop creative strategies to advertise and build excitement for service.

2. Share mission and inspiration of Project 351 and C2C.

3. Build school spirit through friendly competitions or other creative ideas.

4. Maximize school and community events—including virtual events!—to promote

5. Get creative with social media and other communication tools.

Celebrate & Appreciate

1. Demonstrate gratitude to volunteers, Leadership Team, and caring adults (educators, family members, Alumni Team Leader).

2. Report and celebrate impact of service—local and as part of Project 351 statewide service.

TEAM MEMBERS REQUIRED RESOURCES GOALS/DEADLINES

4 . COMMUNICATE

„ Use your passion to support Cradles to Crayons and the information from Chapter 2 to inspire your team. Understanding the “why” (motivation/ need) before executing the “what” (service) is essential to success. Make it personal—your team will better respond to how much you know, when they understand how much you care. Lead a reflection exercise, so every member of the team is able to express what motivates their commitment to support C2C—and how much they care.

„ Share the C2C video and the Sunshine from Chapter 2! The personal perspective on the impact your team will make will be motivating!

5 . Impact

IMPACT

„ Establish weekly meeting times for the Leadership Team, and separate meetings for your subcommittees. Summarize meeting notes, action steps, and deadlines at each. Circulate weekly updates to the team to keep everyone focused and on task. As inspiration, feature a team member’s quotation on why they are committed to support C2C. You’ll thoughtfully demonstrate inclusion, and build the confidence and commitment of a teammate.

„ Share victories and milestones. Take time to celebrate the progress you’ve made!

The stronger your team, the greater the impact for Cradles to Crayons. And, an extra bonus—you’ll have fun creating change with friends and teammates.

Don’t forget—impact goes beyond numbers! As you’ll read in “Measuring Impact”, success is defined by a number of factors—children impacted, skills developed, and the hearts and minds you’ll inspire. Take time to appreciate the relationships you are building as you serve in support of Cradles to Crayons.

Your Team!

Your Leadership Team can number be from 3 to 30 members. How will you define success for your team? What skills do you hope they learn?

Team management requires time, care, and attention. What challenges you most? How will you overcome this challenge?

What values will you promote and strengthen as you lead? How can you use these values to support and inspire your team throughout Spring Service?

Teamwork fosters strong friendship. How will you promote fun and friendship as you serve?

Weekly LT Meetings: Unity & Impact

You’ve recruited a great team -- inspired to serve and ready to follow your lead. Successful LT meetings will drive your success. Please follow these tips:

Confirm meeting date, time, and platform—in person, Zoom, Google Meet, FaceTime, phone, etc.—with LT members

Share a clear and strong vision of your service project and the mission of Cradles to Crayons.

Lead teambuilding activities to build unity and community

Create Project Teams for Operations, Spread the Word, and Celebrate & Appreciate Crew.

Review Action Plan and FINALIZE dates of service and Quality Sort, key deadlines, and Team Meeting schedule.

Build excitement, unite team, express appreciation.

THE SEVEN Components OF SUCCESSFUL MEETINGS

Use these tips and timetable to develop your meeting goals, and agenda for your first meeting. Always remember…the issue we address and impact we will make is serious and important. But, our service and teambuilding should be unifying, meaningful, and fun!

1: Preparation & Setup

10-20 minutes before meeting

For virtual meetings:

Make sure your camera is viewing a neat and organized background and that your face will be easily viewable and centered in the frame.

Get your links ready! Be ready to share: your meeting agenda document, C2C’s homepage, and any inspirational videos. Have your links organized in a handy place so that all you have to do is copy and paste.

For in-person meetings:

Set up desks and/or chairs in a circle.

Write your agenda on a chalkboard, white board or use a projector.

Have copies of your agenda, Spring Service FAQs, and other handouts for each member.

2: Welcome & Introduction

5 minutes

Have everyone sign in/add to the chat with email and cell phone numbers so you can build and distribute a team contact list.

Open with warmth and enthusiasm. Introduce yourself and express appreciation to attendees. Use an icebreaker as a way for team members to introduce themselves. See the following pages for icebreaker ideas.

Describe your role as a Project 351 Ambassador or Alumni and the purpose of Spring Service. If you wish, share your project dedication.

In advance of the meeting, recruit someone to serve as meeting note taker. The details they capture will be important for follow-up.

3: Sharing the Issue of Child Poverty & Homelessness and the Mission of Cradles To Crayons

5 minutes

Use the information provided by Project 351, the C2C video, and information from the Cradles to Crayons website to share why we serve, the impact we will make, and the importance of Cradles to Crayons’ mission. Share your personal commitment.

4: Spring Service Overview

10 minutes

Distribute your Action Plan by email/screen share and share the Spring Service Drive Roadmap from Chapter 1. Review highlights and general timeline.

Get feedback and ideas from the Team. Make sure they know that their leadership is essential to the success of service.

Review the focus for each of the three project teams and the respective responsibilities.

1. Operations & Transportation: securing the essentials of service (collection bins, locations, safe service) and support for transportation to regional drop off location (April 12-13).

Skills: organization, detail-oriented, creative, resourceful

2. Spread the Word: communicating and advertising service; raising awareness of Cradles to Crayons, Project 351, and the ethic of service.

Skills: strong communicator (social media skill is a bonus!), creative, artistic, enthusiastic

3. Celebrate & Appreciate: appreciating the individuals and organizations that made service possible; celebrating service impact.

Skills: detail-oriented, creative, strong communication skills

Ask people to join specific teams based on their interests and skills.

Appreciate team members as they volunteer for their role.

5:

Team Discussions

20 minutes

Break into project teams. If virtual, use breakout rooms! Provide each team with a copy of their team responsibilities from the Leadership Team chart for their review and discussion.

Ask teams to create a materials list of items needed to achieve their goal. Have each team create a timeline with their goals and deadlines.

As team leader, visit every group to listen, learn, and answer questions.

6: Large Group Discussion & Planning

10 minutes

Reconvene the team and ask the breakout group reporters to summarize their plan of action.

Create two master lists on a shared screen or document. One for “Materials Needed” and the other for “Key Dates.” Gather input from each team. (After the meeting, you’ll update your Action Plan to reflect the teams’ dates.)

7: Conclusions, Questions, & Next Steps

10 minutes

Summarize meeting highlights and accomplishments and action steps.

Leave time for questions/answers and ideas for improvement.

Determine day, time and platform for weekly check in meetings.

Confirm how you will remind the Leadership Team about the meetings— email, text, or phone.

Make sure you have the necessary contact information for your team members.

Demonstrate gratitude to all your attendees and tell them when they should expect to hear from you next.

Team Building

Team building activities are interactive exercises to strengthen relationships. By building trust, communication, and friendship, your team gains unity and greater purpose. Whether serving in person or virtually, team building can help you strengthen these relationships and connections. Adapt for online! If you’re leading team building exercises during a virtual gathering, just remember that your team members will need ways to determine who goes next—since you won’t be sitting in a circle! Consider asking each person to “pass it forward” to someone else in the group after their own turn. Or, you can randomly assign everyone in the group a number in the chat before you start these games—so they always know what order to follow!

What’s in a Name?: A lot,

you’ll discover! In this exercise, each person tells their middle name (if they have one) and the meaning, origin, or history of their name. If someone doesn’t have a middle name or doesn’t want to share it, they may use their first name, a nickname, or their chosen name instead.

Two Truths and a Lie: This requires some imagination and a straight face! Each member introduces themself with their name, role on the Leadership Team, and two truths and one less-than-true thing about themself. To be successful, the “truths” should be unique and special, and the lie should be clever but believable.

For example, “I am a triplet, I met the President of the United States, I’ve skydived.” After the “two truths and a lie” are shared, the group discusses and guesses the lie. (In this example, the “lie” is skydiving.)

Adjective Name Game: While sitting in a circle, the team leader explains that each person in the group should think of an adjective that describes an aspect of their personality. The adjective must begin with the same letter as their first initial. (Energetic Ella!) Go around until everyone has said his or her name. Movements may be used instead of adjectives (“Jeff,” he says, as he jumps!).

Best Friend Introductions: Ask each team member to answer the following questions—but to do so from the perspective of their best friend. How would their BFF describe them?

Their biggest talent is: They greatly value: Their biggest pet peeve is: In ten years, they would like to be:

Guiding Values to Strengthen Your Team

Be Respectful

Treat others well. Encourage one another. Listen and value opinions and ideas.

Be GRATEFUL

Express sincere appreciation. Build a culture of gratitude.

Be COOPERATIVE

Support one another. Go the extra mile for a teammate.

Be HuMBLE

Embrace every task—from largest to smallest—with pride and best effort.

Be RESPONSIBLE

Follow through on your actions. Be accountable and reliable.

Be AWARE

Speak, act, and engage with others in the manner that you wish to be treated.

Power Tools to Build Community

Power Tools are accountable, inclusive structures for building team and community. These techniques help build leadership skills, instill confidence and empower your Leadership Team.

Hands up: A tool for quieting a large, loud group, in order to begin a meeting or event, or to mobilize for action. Raise your hand, signaling all group members to respond with their hands raised and voices silent.

Strong Circles: A tool for mobilizing large and small groups, a “Strong Circle” is formed when participants stand in a circle—shoulder to shoulder—with “everybody in, and nobody out.” Strong Circles build unity by ensuring that each team member can see, hear, and acknowledge the contributions and ideas shared in the circle.

Spirit Break: A simple tool that connects people through a symbolic gesture and focused thought of inspiration. Form a Strong Circle and place one hand in the middle. Select one team member to select a “power word” to break on. The word should reflect your team, the task ahead, or a positive feeling. Count “1, 2, 3” and state your power word in unison. Now, let’s go serve!

Ripples & Joys: Inspired by the famous words of Robert F. Kennedy:

“Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”

Ripples & Joys can be the first agenda item of every meeting to provide inspiration and perspective on the importance of your service. The team leader asks all present to share a “ripple”—an act of courage and belief—or joyous news. A “ripple” could be that a business was inspired to donate to service because of a team member’s outreach.

TAKE FIVE

The Fun (& Importance) of Team Building

Danielle West, Educator, Boston Public Schools, 2024 Service Hero

As an educator, I believe that connection is essential to the development of scholars and leaders, and contributes to the vibrancy and unity of a school. Community building is at the heart of how I engage my students.

My Take Five provides general guidelines for building friendships and elevating fun on your Leadership Team. Take time to “team build.” You’ll learn a lot about one another, strengthen bonds of friendship, and discover how to work as a stronger team.

1. Define Goals Before Your Begin. Have concrete goals, and a clear rationale for your activities. Let your team know why they should invest time in the activity, and what they will accomplish. For example, your Leadership Team may be partnering with your Class Officers for Spring Service. Use team building to build unity and stronger communication between the two groups.

2. Be Inclusive. When developing your plan, be mindful of everyone’s abilities in the group. Lead activities that everyone can participate in.

3. Be Engaging. Select activities that keep your team members moving. Good energy and laughter are sure signs that your team is focused and engaged.

4. Move! Find ways to get your team moving, even in a virtual setting. Start with stretches, and incorporate move breaks to build energy and excitement.

5. Lead by example and have fun! Team building offers a break from the hard work of developing your service project. And, often requires participants to “step outside their comfort zone.” Set a tone for fun and don’t be afraid to show your silly side!

351 Reflection

Managing and motivating a team is a great skill to develop. Your passion for making a difference, knowledge of the need we’re addressing and values of kindness, respect, inclusion, and gratitude will contribute to your success as leader. Be sure to lean on Project 351, your ALC leaders, Host Site, family and friends as you mobilize your team for action. We believe in you and are here to support you!

Three skills or strengths you want to demonstrate as you lead your team:

Five people you want to recruit as members of your Leadership Team:

One priority you have for ensuring your team is motivated, united, and focused on Service Success:

Ambassador Voice: The Power of Community

“I dedicate Spring Service to my school because they’ve given me the golden opportunity to give back to those in need. My motivation to lead Spring Service comes from my family, who always challenge me to be my best self and to work hard to achieve my goal of being a kind and generous human being.”

KARTHIK NARGUND, AMBASSADOR, MIDDLETON

“My goal for Spring Service is to try my best to inspire more people to serve the community. I want them to feel how good it is to help those in need so they do it more often!”

THEODORE IWASINSKI, AMBASSADOR, LUDLOW

My community is important to me because...

ACTION STEPS

BRAINSTORM and develop a list of potential Leadership Team Members.

RECRUIT your LT!

MOBILIZE your team using IDEAS (p. 79).

SCHEDULE weekly LT meetings.

PLAN AND LEAD your first LT meeting using the outline provided in this chapter! Express gratitude to your team and to all who made your meeting possible (this could include your Host Site, janitorial staff, educators, Ambassador Mentor, and family).

SUMMARIZE meeting notes, action steps, and team assignments and circulate to your LT. Include schedule of LT meetings through the end of Spring Service (date, time, platform) to ensure attendance.

WE Rise others . by lifting

ROBERT INGERSOLL

19th Century Orator

ALUMNI INSPIRATION

NAME George Potenza

TOWN

Foxborough

YEAR 2019

IN EIGHTH GRADE, I WAS... Driven

What did you do to Spread the Word?

I created colorful and inviting flyers and asked local shop owners to hang them up in their windows. My principal, parents, team members, and I also posted it on our social media channels. I also created an animated video through the website PowToon! The video was an extremely successful way to STW, as I broadcasted it on our daily announcements, posted on social media, and asked others to share it. I had so many views of the video! I strongly encourage you to try it out!

How did you engage local media?

I contacted my local newspaper and respectfully asked if they would include my flyer in the publications -- and they agreed! Also, through the support of Project 351, my parents, and school leaders, we pitched my video to Foxborough Cable Access and they broadcast a story on our service, as well as posted it to their website.

My advice to Ambassadors is...

Follow the Toolkit and log your progresss!

Spread the Word!

Leadership Goals

> Partner with your Spread the Word team to imagine, and then create inspirational and informative materials to “advertise” your service.

> Share Project 351 mission and values with creativity. Build pride and unity through positive messages.

> Develop communication tools for advertising the what, when, where, and how of your project to inspire and motivate participation in Spring Service.

Spread the Word!

1. What?

Spread the Word or STW are the tools and strategies you will use to build awareness and excitement for your Spring Service. Through creative communication and compelling information, you will inspire the generosity and support of your community.

STW opportunities are everywhere! Engage your STW team to identify the most effective platforms for the community you want to engage. For example, use social media to inspire your peers and an email flyer sent by your Principal to encourage the support of your school community. As you determine your STW vision, update your Action Plan with dates and deadlines

Spring Service STW conveys three important messages:

1. Invites others to serve and be part of positive change

2. Builds awareness of the issue of childhood poverty and homelessness

3. Reminds everyone that 8th graders and high school students are an inspiring source of kindness and goodness

2. Why?

1. As a call-to-action to create positive change

2. Build awareness of Cradles to Crayons, Project 351 and the opportunity to serve

3. Promote kindness, compassion, and generosity

4. Scale impact by engaging a broader community of support

Your efforts to promote service and raise awareness of an issue you care about are central to your success… and a lot of fun, too. STW is a great way to engage friends, unleash creative talent, and generate support.

3. Where?

SCHOOL!

Talk to your teachers and Principal to find ways to build school spirit around the drive. Can the Student Council or other clubs and teams support your service? How about a Principal’s Challenge? One of our most committed principals challenged his students to reach an ambitious collection goal. The prize? A pie-in-the-face in front of the entire student body! (They won!)

HOME!

Motivate your family! You can encourage your family to “spring clean” their closets for donations.

HOUSE OF WORSHIP, COMMUNITY CENTER!

If you are involved in faith based or community organizations, invite their support by posting on their website, community calendar, or worship bulletin.

AROUND TOWN!

Ask local businesses, such as coffee shops or retail stores, if you can hang your posters or flyers inside. Perhaps a local pizza or bakery will donate a prize for a for a friendly competition to encourage donations at your school?

COMMUNITY EVENTS!

The school play, basketball game, community celebration. These are great places to hand out flyers or to set up collection bins. Be sure to follow all health & safety guidelines.

4. How?

The best STW combines creativity, clarity, and excellence of execution. Build a plan with an early kick-off of STW and continue through the last day of your drive! Inform, inspire, and engage!

SOCIAL MEDIA

Find or host digital events! Our world has gone virtual-- we have learned that school concerts, community celebrations, and civic meetings can occur online. Let’s take advantage of these adaptations! Research these events to explore opportunities to share Spring Service information as part of virtual programming and related websites.

Reach out to local social media “Group” pages. Community Facebook pages are popular gathering spaces. Join your community’s page (or ask a caring adult to join) and post a Spring Service call-to-serve!

FLYERS

Make them colorful and creative. Print on neon paper to grab attention. Share at sporting and school events, post in the lobby and cafeteria, local businesses and houses of worship, or schedule a “have a great day!” committee to handout and wish your classmates well as they board their bus at the end of the day.

POSTERS

These are effective in high traffic locations like your cafeteria, school lounge, gymnasium/ locker rooms, and computer labs.

VIDEO

Videos are a powerful and effective way to convey your commitment to Cradles to Crayons and invite everyone to make a difference.

WEBSITES/NEWSLETTERS

Post short articles on both! Explore opportunities at your school, Host Site, and other popular sites.

MORNING ANNOUNCEMENTS/PHONE TREES

Alumna Brooke Milosh of Attleboro used both of these tactics for her successful drive: “The ConnectED call worked best because it got the word out to parents and families who were more likely to urge students to bring in donations.”

LAUNCH A FRIENDLY COMPETITION

Organize a contest between classrooms, sports teams, or clubs to see who can collect the most donations. Engage a local business to donate a pizza party or ice cream sundaes for the winners!

BECOME A MEDIA STAR!

There is always a need for good news! Does your community have local radio, cable or newspapers hungry for stories about young people making a positive difference? Work with your Host Site contact or other caring adult to invite media to cover your service.

Spread the Word about the kindness and generosity of your classmates and community!

BUILD YOUR PLAN. EXECUTE WITH EXCELLENCE

Review your school and community calendars with your STW team. Target opportunities that fit your mission and the audience you’re trying to engage. Identify the appropriate contact person for the event and explore the possibility of making an announcement, hosting an information table, and/or locating a collection bin.

Spotlight On Collection Bins!

Your collection bins are a centerpiece of STW!

They are visible, daily reminders of your service, and an opportunity to invite the community to support Cradles to Crayons. The time and care you invest in creating and placing your bins is essential to success. Creating collection bins is a fun team building opportunity!

Alumni Wisdom

Strength Matters: Cardboard boxes are the most frequently used bin. Appliance and hardware stores are great resources for medium and large boxes (e.g. for use with ovens or refrigerators). Ensure the cardboard’s durability by reinforcing corners and seams with industrial tape.

The Bin is Your Canvas: You will place your bins in high traffic areas—a location where large populations of classmates or community members gather or travel. So, consider your bin as a high visibility billboard! Build team and have fun as you engage your LT to decorate bins with attention grabbing colors, uplifting messages, and donor guidance (e.g. wish list and dates of drive).

Quality = Dignity: You don’t have to be Michelangelo to create inspirational collection bins; but do ensure you execute with excellence and care. Remember the importance of scale—you want to ensure that your inspirational messaging can be seen from a distance.

Alumni Inspiration: Making Flyers that STW!

Contrasting colors emphasize major headlines.

Always include partner logos.

Use large text to indicate headings.

People are more likely to serve if you give them a “call to action!”

Pro Tips

1. Keep your content away from the edge of the paper—use margins! Text that crashes on to the edge of the page makes for an awkward layout.

2. Use a minimal color 3 pallette! For this design, I used Project 351 colors with contrasting colors like green and white.

Use smaller text for detailed info. Keep it minimal: you want to keep the readers’ attention.

Include contact info. People want to reach out!

3. For font (or typeface), stick to a maximum of two styles. For this design, I used:

4. Work with your Leadership Team and educator partners to distribute your flyers around your school! Share your flyer as a PDF or screenshot with friends, family, and everyone you know!

5. Canva is a great website for free digital design! Whether you’re a skilled artist or a newbie, Canva’s helpful templates and easy-to-use tools will have you designing like a pro for email or social media.

Alumni Inspiration: CREATING INSPIRING POSTERS

Molly Castle, Class of 2017, Norwell

1. Go bold!

Use bright colors and large text to grab attention. The most important information should be the biggest,

2. Use shapes!

Shapes can convey what your collection is about quickly. Posters in the shape of shirts, pants, and coats will stand out and let people know right away that you’re collecting clothes. Adding arrows and stars can draw attention to your posters too!

3. A printer makes posters so easy!

You don’t need a high-tech color printer for poster-making to be simple and fast. Using a regular desktop black & white printer with colorful paper, you can create easy-to-read posters that don’t require hours of hand-lettering and coloring.

4. Where, What, When, How, Who, & Why!

Convey your drive’s key information with clarity. Include inspirational messaging to encourage generosity.

5. Decorate!

Use colorful duct tape, masking tape and punched circles as an easy way to add color and interest!

Leadership Lesson

STW requires a consistent, thoughtful, and well-coordinated effort. The last two weeks through the final day of service are especially important as you motivate others to serve. You will keep your intended audience interested, excited, and eager to donate.

Spread the Word Checklist

Host a STW team meeting to brainstorm, plan, and organize. Create a timeline and assign responsibilities.

Clarify your key messages about service. See checklist below.

Identify the top sources of information for your school and community as platforms for your message (e.g. school website, morning announcements, local radio).

Finalize list of tools you will use to inspire and motivate others to act: flyers, social media, media, events, and announcements.

Gather pictures, statistics, and impact facts to bring substance and meaning to your invitation to serve.

Execute with consistency and excellence.

Plan ahead! Dedicate your final two weeks to high visibility efforts.

Inspire, inform, and engage your peers and community to support C2C.

Framing Your Message

Make your message simple, actionable, and compelling. And, accurate!

Compelling statistics on children’s homelessness and poverty.

Specific “call to action”—the wish list of clothing—and sizes!— we’re collecting.

Date and time of your service; locations of collection bins.

Invitation to serve—“Join us to help children feel safe, warm, valued, and ready to learn!”

Contact person for more information (this is YOU!).

Appreciation.

Logos or names for Host Site, Project 351, and C2C.

351 Reflection

Year after year, Ambassadors identify STW as the most important strategy for service success. Strong, consistent, and creative communication will inspire others to act. And, you’ll have fun along the way!

Three key messages of your Spring Service STW: 1. 2. 3.

Five events or creative ideas you will use to maximize your STW:

One stretch goal you have (e.g. media coverage, speaking at a school assembly, friendly competition between homerooms): 1.

Ambassador Voice: Inspiration to Lead

“I love helping people, helping others is what makes us human. I think it’s important to recognize the needs of other people. I hope to help the community around me and share love to people who don’t get enough.”

RUBY PUTNAM AMBASSADOR, WENDELL

I am inspired to lead because...

“My family is from a really poor area in the Dominican Republic. A place where kids solely depend on hand-medowns and whatever they can salvage from clothes that have been discarded. I constantly send boxes of clothes and on annual visits, see those clothes be worn and loved. That’s who motivates me to lead Spring Service -- the children who love the clothes we take for granted.

DIANA GUILLEN AMBASSADOR, NANTUCKET

ACTION STEPS

SCHEDULE and hold your first STW meeting.

CREATE an STW plan and timeline at your STW meeting. Determine which STW tools will be most effective in your school and community.

DEVELOP a consistent STW “message” with your STW team. Incorporate compelling pictures, statistics, and facts.

DESIGN and SHARE your “core” STW tools (posters, flyers, etc…).

Fight for the things you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you .

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Supreme Court Justice

Ready, Set, Serve!

Leadership Goals

> Prepare and energize your team for successful project execution.

> Manage and lead team through service, demonstrating strong leadership and teamwork, as well as commitment and dedication to your project.

> Model Project 351 values of kindness and gratitude to all who supported Spring Service.

The Countdown to Service Is On!

To begin final preparation for service, dedicate a "Ready, Set, Serve" meeting one week prior to service kick-off.

Unite.

Your Leadership Team and contacts for a READY, SET, SERVE virtual meeting.

Act.

Finalize checklist (see next page) and confirm schedule, supplies, Leadership Team roles, and other details to ensure success.

Lead.

Express gratitude. Build unity. Reflect kindness, compassion, and humility. Energize your team for the service ahead!

Leadership Lesson

Josh Florence, founding Ambassador & Class of 2011, and Alumni representative on Project 351’s Advisory Board, offers three tips for recruiting support as you countdown to serve!

1. Be knowledgeable and informed about your service and ready to answer questions and provide support. Your Team and partners will look to you for steady guidance.

2. Make service enjoyable for your community and team members. Work with your Leadership Team to create elements of fun and expressions of gratitude. (E.g. a bucket of candy next to the collection bin for all who donate). Fun adds an important element to service!

3. Keep people updated on your progress and milestones throughout the drive to keep them motivated, excited, and proud. Use social media, daily announcements, and updated flyers!

Ready, Set, Serve Meeting

Meeting Checklist

Who: Leadership Team, Host Site contacts, and other caring adults

When: Week prior to the start of service

Why: To express gratitude, build team, and review final steps for preparation and the final week’s schedule

Confirm dates of your drive and location bins.

Get energized for the final week of Spreading the Word. Review what’s worked and focus on expanding those ideas.

Assign team members for daily collection bin progress reports and to transfer items each day to your secure storage area. If you plan to have an information table by your collection bin, be sure to schedule volunteers for shifts at the table.

Schedule team check-ins at the halfway point of your drive and the day before your drive ends. Use the meetings to track progress and make any changes needed.

Confirm date and location of Quality Sort. Consult your caring adult to help you! Often times, you can host your Quality Sort at your Host site —just ask!

Begin your Gratitude List. Ask team members to write the names of people who should be thanked. Be inclusive! Did the custodian or school security pitch in? Or, your Mayor or Superintendent? What about your family and teachers? Make a list!

Celebrate & Appreciate team is provided with the list. Engage them for creative ideas for expressing appreciation and schedule a Celebrate & Appreciate team meeting for the week after service to execute your plan.

Finalize plans for Quality Sort & transportation. Be certain you have confirmed details, address, and all safety-related procedures for both your Quality Sort and transportation to your Regional Drop-off location.

Regional Drop-off Location & Information: The Project 351 team will provide you with detailed information for your assigned Regional Drop-off Location. Review this information and plan for transportation with your LT.

Light up social media. Engage your team and partners in a coordinated effort to encourage support. Use photos, daily updates, and other information to inspire service.

Express gratitude. Even before service begins, it’s important to thank your team and partners for their efforts and belief. Surprise them with cupcakes or cookies, or handwritten notes of thanks.

48 Hours To Service Kick-off

If yours is a school-based project, ask your Principal if you can do any of the following: countdown email or ConnectED call to families, morning announcements, and/or social media, school app, and website announcements.

Prepare your collection bins & the surrounding locations—engage your STW Team!

Send an email of encouragement & thanks to your team and to the caring adults who supported you.

Send an email to Host Site contact to thank them and let them know you and your team are ready to serve!

Send a good luck email to your Service Hero team and Ambassador friends! You’re 35ONE in service—celebrate and support one another!

During Service

Take Pictures!—we want to see how your collection bins fill up! Be sure to share them on the Project 351 Facebook and Instagram pages.

Check Your Collection Bins at the end of each day. Add a new bin if necessary and safely transfer full bin to storage location.

Important: Please be sure to have an assigned team member committed to Tracking Results. (Using the chart on the next page.)

Spread the Word. Be creative and have fun through service. Share updates, post photos of your growing pile of donations, share the “Everyday Essentials” link via social media!

Contact your Quality Sort team to remind them about the date, time, and details for “Quality Sort." This will be a fun team-building activity and will give you a chance to measure and celebrate what the team has achieved.

Final 48 Hours of Service

Send final invitation to your Leadership Team with logistical reminders for your Quality Sort. Keep track of how many hours you and each of your volunteers spend sorting donations—and track those!

Confirm transportation plan with your Operations team.

“Leave it better than you found it." Ensure your collection and storage locations are cleaned and organized when you finish your service. You want to leave a great impression with your Host Site.

Tracking Results

DATE OF SERVICE # OF ITEMS # OF DONORS TEAM OBSERVATIONS

Final Day!

TAKE FIVE

The Meaning of C2C Essentials

Colleen McGuire, Director, Community Programs, Family Nurturing Center of Massachusetts

Cradles to Crayons is an important partner in our mission to help struggling families thrive. C2C believes, like Family Nurturing Center does, that investing in the strengths, skills, and nurturing abilities of parents/guardians is essential to a strong family and the healthy development of a child.

When a child receives C2C essentials, something magical happens. Their face lights up as they discover each item carefully selected for them.

My Take Five focuses on some of the extra gifts that are packed by C2C.

1. Self-Esteem: It’s very simple. Children appreciate having clean clothes that fit—in styles that are up-to-date and reflect their preference. Of all the things I love about C2C, I love this the most: C2C gives our children the things they need to have dignity and to be a regular kid.

2. Healthy Development: Strong self-esteem is one of the core elements of a child’s growth as a person, student, athlete, musician, artist…or whomever they wish to be. C2C helps us put our children on a path to their greatest potential.

3. Family Support: When their child’s basic needs are taken care of, parents have less stress. When parents have access to resources, they can focus on helping their family to thrive.

4. A Focus on Schoolwork, not Appearance: It is hard to learn in school if you don’t feel comfortable because your clothes don’t fit, or aren’t clean, or because you have to wear the same clothing every day. It can make a child feel different and not want to attend school. C2C helps children focus on schoolwork and extracurricular activities like everyone else.

5. Individuality Shines!: Every child is special in their own beautiful way. C2C allows partners to order noting a child’s preferences. Juan likes green. Christina prefers orange. When C2C packs essenitals with a child’s favorite color lets them know their wishes are known and worth honoring!

On behalf of the children and families we serve, thank you for filling our KidPacks with kindness and care. Your Spring Service will uplift children and families all across our state.

351 Reflection

Congratulations! Your first Project 351 service project is about to begin. We are so proud of you! Now is a good time to step back and reflect on all you have done since Service Leadership Academy. As an Ambassador you have:

„ Developed leadership skills, knowledge, and motivation through SLA.

„ Celebrated Launch and kicked-off a year of service with a new community of friends.

„ Gained confidence and tools to lead as bridge builder through Playbook.

„ Built a Leadership Team, developed an Action Plan, mobilized others to serve, and partnered with Ambassadors, Alumni, caring adults, friends, classmates, and families to UNITE. ACT. LEAD. in support of Cradles to Crayons.

Three things that have surprised you most about yourself during your first months as an Ambassador:

Five people you’ve met through SLA or Spring Service whom you admire. Share a one-word description why for each:

One thing that you’re most proud of as you prepare to lead Spring Service: 1.

Ambassador Voice: Project 351 Inspiration

“Our Launch Day service opened my eyes to the true gravity of challenges people face. I served at Cradles to Crayons’ and the number of donations and requested orders gave me perspective of the great need. I dedicate my service to whoever receives our donations. My motivation is imagining all of the clothing we Ambassadors will collect together, bringing us one step closer to improving our community for the better.

ARCHER BESSIN, AMBASSADOR, BOXFORD

“I found my love for serving the community with others through Project 351! One of my greatest pleasures is helping people in need, and 35ONE gives me the opportunity to do that!”

RYAN MESSIER AMBASSADOR, FREETOWN

Project 351 inspires me... .

“Project 351 inspires me to be the best version of myself and encourages me to venture beyond my comfort zone regardless of the challenges I may face. I’m proud to be an Ambassador because my actions to improve the lives of others have the power to foster compassion and understanding.”

AVA

BAZAZZADEH AMBASSADOR, RAYNHAM

ACTION STEPS

The Week prior to Service kick-off:

HOST your Ready, Set Serve meeting—review final preparations, communicate team assignments, share inspiration, express gratitude, have fun!

COMMUNICATE, communicate, communicate— key dates, team roles, and STW as you prepare to kick-off service!

PREPARE your collection bins—make sure they’re sturdy, colorful, informative, inspirational, and located in convenient locations.

FINALIZE and CONFIRM all logistical details: collection locations, daily tracking, secure storage, Leadership Team staffing, safety procedures, and transportation to your Regional Site.

REVIEW the calendar through the end of service. Ensure you are prepared for what’s ahead!

GRATITUDE—first, last, and always! As you begin your service, continue to lead with appreciation for everyone who supports your service, all donors and volunteers, and anyone else who encourages your efforts.

When you’re presented with an opportunity, say yes! Challenge yourself

be brave!

ALUMNI INSPIRATION

NAME Hannah Tirrell TOWN

Abington

YEAR 2019 IN EIGHTH GRADE, I WAS... Excited

What do you know now that you wish you knew before your first Quality Sort?

The quality sorting process is a big undertaking, so be sure to recruit as many people as possible to help you. Invite clubs, sports teams, your school’s National Honors Society or Student Council, and your friends! I would recommend making an organization plan for your quality sort and splitting up the job into multiple stations (quality sort, clothing sort, bagging, labeling, and counting). When I was an Ambassador, I wish I knew that the quality sort was a time to celebrate! Look back at all of your hard work and be proud of everything you accomplished!

My advice to the Ambassador Class is...

have fun during your service! Bring in hard workers who will stay on task and be productive! Have a fun treat like pizza, candy, or snacks to make quality sort a fun event and get the music going while you enjoy seeing all of your hard work pay off! We are so proud of you!

Quality Sort & Transportation

Leadership Goals

Finish strong! Complete your Spring Service by preparing donations for delivery to Cradles to Crayons.

> Learn the importance of respect and dignity in service.

> Inspire and motivate team unity and success; build pride through positive messages.

What is a Quality Sort?

A “Quality Sort” is a critical step in your Spring Service drive and a great way to build team and measure your success.

Central to Cradles to Crayons’ mission is a commitment to provide children with clothing they can wear with pride. They embrace the philosophy of “Quality = Dignity." And, we do, too! Too often, disadvantaged children struggle with self-esteem and confidence because they lack high quality essentials. Our goal is to provide them with items that they are excited and proud to wear.

While we celebrate and value the generosity of everyone who participates in Spring Service, our mission is to sort and pack items that reflect C2C’s mission and philosophy of “Quality = Dignity." And, to ensure that items meet the size criteria for C2C youth. The donations that don't meet C2C's size and quality standards are still valued. A key action step is to identify a secondary organization (e.g. Salvation Army) as the beneficiary of these donations.

Project 351 is proud to share C2C’s philosophy of “Quality = Dignity.” Everything we do in community—service, partnership, and engagement—is done with kindness, excellence, and respect. Serving in community is a privilege for which we are grateful. We want to be our best and do our best—for our families, community, team, and importantly— for those we serve.

It is very important to build adequate time into your Action Plan for your Quality Sort. Your donations need to be sorted and packed in time for delivery to a regional location on April 12th - 13th. Plan one or two days for your Sort, based on your volume of donations.

Key Steps of the Quality Sort

1. Plan: Secure details for your Quality Sort by using the checklists in this chapter. Participate in Project 351 training on leading your Sort, including details and instructions on the step-by-step quality standard process. Share the Project 351 Quality Sort training video with your Leadership Team.

2. Mobilize: Prepare and update your Leadership Team and engage your Operations & Transportation Team to help secure the details on your check lists.

3. Reflect: Share C2C’s philosophy of “Quality = Dignity” and Project 351’s commitment to respect, humility, and excellence with your team and volunteers. Encourage conversations about the importance of respecting the dignity of those we serve. And, the importance of serving with excellence.

4. Serve: Lead a fun, successful, and thorough Sort—build team as you watch your bags of donations pile up!

5. Celebrate: Track donations and capture volunteer reflections while you serve. Both “metrics” capture the true measure of the impact you’ve made.

Important Guidance for Quality Sort

You will receive targeted training, support materials, and an instructional video to guide your Quality Sort. This will include guidance on room set-up with the designation of “quality checkpoints”. Our process emphasizes teamwork and the philosophy of “Quality = Dignity”. Please review these guidelines as the foundation for your leadership of a fun and successful Sort!

„ As you know, we are collecting “like new” or gently used clothing for Spring Service. Of course, new clothing is warmly welcomed!

„ If you would like to collect socks and pajamas as part of your drive, please be aware that C2C can only accept NEW socks and pajamas. (Children’s underwear must also be new.)

„ C2C has asked that we collect clothing for size newborn to adult small/medium. Clothing is the sole focus of our Spring Service drive. Any donations that don’t fit these C2C guidelines can be donated to your secondary organization!

„ Clothing should not be ripped, overly worn, or stained.

„ Remember to ask yourself: “Would I be proud wearing this?”

„ Please be sure the clothing is appropriate for a middle school student or younger. For example, no business clothing or inappropriate language or images.

„ C2C serves children of all backgrounds, so we can’t include items that refer to religion, family relationships, or specific activities. For example: “I love my big brother” or “Lexington Little League.”

„ College clothing is encouraged to inspire children to dream big!

„ C2C accepts sports team items for New England teams only. Go Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics, Revolution, Boston Fleet, and Connecticut Sun!

TAKE FIVE

Hosting a Quality Sort

Molly Walsh, Manager of Community Engagement, Cradles to Crayons

Whether in person or virtual, a Quality Sort is an excellent opportunity for community members to engage in meaningful service together, and see the results of their efforts in a unique way.

Let’s “Take Five” to learn some tips and tricks for a successful Quality Sort!

1. Create a “run-of-show.” A “run of show”—or agenda—details every aspect of your Sort, including task, team member, and timeline. Begin with logistical details and use the checklists in this chapter to cover every detail. Get feedback from your Leadership Team on the “run of show,” finalize your plan, and then… you are ready to go! (Project 351 will share a template for a “run of show” for your use.)

2. Utilize your support network. Get creative and make service fun! Engage your Leadership Team, family, and caring adults to serve and delegate specific roles to them. As outlined in this chapter and in the video, you’ll need leaders to tally impact, count volunteer hours, and bundle and tag Quality Sorted donation bags. Provide clear direction and trust your teammates to lead. We are stronger when we work together!

3. Smart Set Up. Organization is key to smooth service and the Quality Sort training video will be your guide. Whether your team is sorting safely in person or virtually, details matter! Ensure that all of your team members have the materials and support they need to succeed—13-gallon trash bags, tape, even water and snacks!

4. It’s all about a warm and informative welcome! Begin your Sort with enthusiasm and an expression of gratitude. Use “sunshine” or a letter from one of our families (included in this Toolkit) to provide perspective on impact and inspire service. Distribute nametags and include pronouns, to encourage community building and friendship. Provide a detailed overview of the Sort, so everyone knows their role. If possible, share the Quality Sort video. Visuals always help! Identify the members of your team playing essential leadership roles and then…let’s serve!

5. Celebrate & Appreciate. After your Sort, review and share impact numbers with your volunteers and express gratitude. Encourage reflections from the group. How do they feel? What or who inspired their service? Ensure that your volunteers and team members feel appreciated, proud of their impact, and inspired to continue to serve!

Action Checklist

One Week Before

Prepare materials needed for a successful Quality Sort. Work with your Leadership Team to secure the following:

13 gallon trash bags (heavy weight).

IMPORTANT: C2C request the use of 13 gallon trash bags for our donations. The consistent use of the same size also ensures we are measuring donations in the same way.

Tape/Rubber bands

You will also need the following to record impact and celebrate/appreciate: poster board, chalkboard or whiteboard

Markers

This Toolkit! (Impact charts!)

Prepare agenda. The following structure is a good place to start:

i. Welcome, Appreciation, and Goals of the Quality Sort

ii. Team assignments—Project 351 will provide additional guidance on team structure and assignments.

iii. Quality Sort! Be sure to distinguish donations for C2C and your secondary organization.

iv. Closing team circle:

1. Have a team member report final impact. Celebrate!

2. Appreciate your Leadership Team, Host Site, caring adults, and all volunteers. Send reminder email/text to Leadership Team, volunteers, and Special Guests with time, date, and virtual plaform/location of Quality Sort.

One Day Before

Send reminder email/text to Leadership Team, Volunteers, and Special Guests. Confirm time and place. Share an inspirational quote or moment that inspired you during your Spring Service.

Appreciate! Work with your Celebrate & Appreciate team to create “thank you” posters to decorate the Quality Sort room and appreciate your Leadership Team. If you’re able, bake cookies or bring a special treat to celebrate your team’s success.

Prepare for operations: Print out Quality Sort station markers and follow guidance on room set-up.

Quality Sort Day!

Review your agenda and the messages you want to share.

Create and share a “Quality = Dignity” sign as inspiration.

Prepare chart for totaling your impact. Share a Google Doc/worksheet with each team member in order for everyone to keep track of totals.

Get ready for a great day with your team!

Spring Service Scenario 1: Inspired by Playbook

Consider facilitating this scenario discussion with your LT and Quality Sort team.

You hold a clothing drive at your school and create a competition: the homeroom that donates the greatest quantity of clothing will win a movie night for their class, along with bragging rights in the school. The drive is a culmination of your efforts including STW and a focus on Quality = Dignity. You notice that a group of students in your class drops a ton of old, worn-out clothes into your homeroom’s collection bin. They high-five and talk of how excited they are to get rid of their clothes, and their confidence that—as a result of their donation—their homeroom will win the competition.

Discussion Questions

„ Why might some classmates disregard the importance of quality when donating?

„ If you were a student who benefits from the clothing collected in this drive, how would seeing this make you feel?

„ Why does quality matter when it comes to clothing? How does the quality of clothing inform and impact the dignity of the person wearing it?

Intervention Options

„ Ask your teacher for an opportunity to speak to your homeroom to share C2C’s Everyday Essentials video and the philosophy of “quality = dignity.”

„ Appreciate and encourage students who are donating new and like-new clothing.

„ Talk with the group of students directly to explain the importance of respecting the dignity of the children served.

351 Reflection

The Quality Sort is a critical step in Spring Service and a great way to build team unity and measure success. C2C’s philosophy of “Quality = Dignity” underscores Project 351’s values regarding community engagement. We believe that service in community is a privilege and requires excellence, humility, and respect for the dignity of all.

Three reflections you have on the importance of the philosophy of “Quality = Dignity:”

3. Five insights you've learned about "community"—both your hometown and the community of children we are privileged to serve:

2. 3. 4. 5. One service impact number that means the most to you:

Ambassador Voice

I Have A Dream

“My clothes are a huge part of what makes up ME. I can’t imagine wearing clothes that I’m not confident in. My goal for Spring Service is to at affect one life -- at least! Although I hope to serve dozens and dozens, impacting even one life makes a big difference.”

GRACE STARR, AMBASSADOR, CANTON

“I lead Spring Service because I want to help those whose needs are denied or ignored.”

NERIS ALFARO

AMBASSADOR, CHELSEA

“My goal is to make people happy and help them to have a better future. I want them to feel loved and know they are not alone.”

GRACE BURGOS

AMBASSADOR, MALDEN

My dream is...

ACTION STEPS

REVIEW the Action Checklist and Take Five from this chapter!

REVIEW recent Project 351 emails and call recaps. These emails included detailed information on every aspect of leading a Quality Sort, and on transportation logistics.

DRAFT a detailed Agenda for your Quality Sort. Review the Agenda with your LT and your Host Site contact.

MEET with your Host Site contact to review quality sort logistics and your transportation plan.

REMIND your Leadership Team, volunteers, partners, and special guests of the date and time of your Quality Sort one week before the event.

INSPIRE your team with an email (and social media message) the day before the event.

WORK with your Celebrate & Appreciate Team to incorporate Gratitude into your Quality Sort, by creating Thank You posters or personalized notes.

Labor Leader, Civil Rights Activist 2024 Service Hero

Dolores Huerta

What Gets Measured Gets Done!

Leadership Goals

> Develop skills for assessing the impact you made in your community.

> Evaluate the impact your team made, so you can set new goals for future projects.

> Celebrate success by demonstrating the tangible difference made through service and team unity.

Alumni

Wisdom

“Never get discouraged and never stop serving. No matter how big or small your project is, when you serve you are positively impacting others.”

MICHAEL LAWLER, ALUMNI, 2020 SERVICE HERO, PROJECT 351 LEADERSHIP TEAM

Measuring Impact

Spring Service finishes strong by measuring and communicating impact; appreciating those who made service possible; and reflection—so we can learn, dream, and plan for the service ahead.

Our final stage of service leadership begins with measuring impact. For the last month, you have worked hard to mobilize your community in support of Cradles to Crayons. Across the state, Ambassadors and Alumni have united as a Spring Service team -demonstrating the passion, energy, and commitment of 35ONE.

Now it’s time to assess the results of your leadership—and of Project 351 as one team, one community. As we begin, remember that every donation is celebrated and valued. One bag or one hundred, we are all contributing to positive change in the life of a child.

As you measure and report, your accuracy is important. Accuracy allows us to:

„ Provide C2C with the information they need to meet the demand for KidPacks;

„ Reflect on the amazing impact of Project 351 Ambassadors, Alumni, and communities united in service; and;

„ Give your Leadership Team and Host Site cause for celebration.

Now, let’s measure outputs and outcomes!

Outputs: Reporting the Numbers

Project outputs are tangible things that can be counted; for example, the number of trash bags of quality sorted clothing collected or the number of people who donated to your drive. When we began, you set goals. Go back and take a look. Now, let’s see how well your goal setting influenced your impact. Use your Tracking Chart totals to record your team’s success. Note that you’ll also be asked to complete a Project 351 Impact Survey online, so we can track the collective impact of the Spring Service Team.

My Project Outputs

I spent hours planning and executing my product drive.

My team members and I spent hours sorting and preparing our donations.

volunteers donated clothing to Spring Service.

Our Leadership Team has members

Spring Impact Service Highlights!

Please use your chart on pages 142-143 to record the number of 13-gallon bags in each category:

# of Bags of Children’s clothing for C2C

# of Bags of Children’s clothing for secondary organization

We raised $ to support the mission of Cradles to Crayons. (if applicable)

Total hours invested in service

Total volunteers/LT engaged

Outcomes: Assessing the Impact

Project outcomes are the changes you expect to see by leading your service project; for example, the happiness and health it will provide to people in your community, or the inspiration you instilled in others to serve.

Sample Project Outcomes

„ By providing children in need with clothing, they will be able to do more of the things they love to do—such as playing outside!

„ By engaging my school and community in service, I promote unity and inspire future service.

„ By building a strong and united team, I share the spirit of Project 351 service and helped build kindness and pride at my school.

„ By sharing my story with local media, I educate others about issues in our communities and about the power and impact of service.

Please share the outcomes that your Spring Service generated.

Quality Sort Tracker

You can also use the information on this chart to complete your Project 351 Spring Service Impact Form.

Measured by 13-gallon bags

NUMBER OF BAGS TEAM FEEDBACK

CLOTHING & SHOES

OTHER

SECONDARY ORGANIZATION

“One person can make a difference, and everyone should try.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, 35TH U.S. PRESIDENT

YOUR NOTES (OBSERVATIONS, REFLECTIONS, IDEAS)

Reflection

When you began service, you set goals. Measuring outputs and outcomes gives you an opportunity to see what you’ve accomplished through teamwork and dedication to the mission of C2C.

Three “measures of success” from Spring Service that really matter to your team and you:

Five ways you made the Quality Sort/measuring impact fun:

One important lesson you’ve learned about measuring results:

Ambassador Voice: Ambassador Pride

“I am proud to be an Ambassador because now I have the platform, people, and positivity to help those who need it. It’s easy to speak of change, but it’s much more difficult to do by yourself -- without resources and the motivation from others to keep going. Luckily, any Ambassador can spark change. All we need is a why!”

“I am proud to be an Ambassador! Working alongside people who have the same dedication and goals as me is really uplifting and encouraging. Knowing there are kind people who want the best for someone, makes me feel like the world isn’t that cruel. It gives me hope and ambition. ”

I am proud to be an Ambassador beecause...

MAISARAH RAHMAN, AMBASSADOR, QUINCY

DOMILOVE BUISSERETH, AMBASSADOR, BROCKTON

ACTION STEPS

FOCUS on Measuring Impact

ENSURE your Quality Sort preparation includes 13 gallon bags for accurate counting, your Quality Sort Tracker, and a spreadsheet for each team member to record their totals.

USE Tracker to return totals and team reflections.

SUMMARIZE Outputs to share with your team, report to Project 351, and use in your efforts to “Celebrate & Appreciate.” (Link for online reporting form will be provided.)

ENGAGE your Leadership Team and Host Site to gather Outcomes. Summarize and share with your Leadership Team.

REMEMBER...Service is joy! Have fun! Post pictures and service impact totals on social media. Share good news and inspire the service of others!

“One teacher, one child, one book, one pen can change the world.”

Malala Yousafzai

Human

Rights Activist, Nobel Laureate Service Hero

ALUMNI INSPIRATION

NAME Sreenidhi Ravipati

TOWN Medway

YEAR 2017

IN EIGHTH GRADE, I WAS... Introverted

How did you debrief with your team after Spring Service?

After any service project, my team and I get together and do “Roses and Thorns” -- a list of what we think went well and what we think could improve. We then brainstorm solutions so that we can be more prepared for our next service project. I look at every project as something that I can learn from. There are always ways to improve our projects. Reflect on everything that you planned and what actually happened. Learning from mistakes is the best way to grow into a better leader.

My advice to Ambassadors is...

Two tips: put your whole heart into your service and make sure you have a support system. By putting your whole heart into your service, your passion will convince others to support your cause. Your support system is also important because they will help you have fun and Spread the Word. You can find support from a parent, teacher, friends, and your Leadership Team. Having others to help you will make a huge impact on your drive. They can help you STW to a broader audience and motivate more donations. Bring joy to yourself and the people around you and your drive will be a success.

Team Debrief & Reflection

Leadership Goals

> Lead a debrief session with your team to appreciate one another and share strengths and opportunities for improvement.

> Reflect upon your own role as a leader. Ask for team feedback. Recognize and be proud of your personal growth. Identify areas you would like to continue to develop.

> Recognize the important role of your LT and the unique gifts of each member for their personal growth.

> Encourage others to join you in future service projects.

Power of Teamwork

Spring Service would not be possible without your Leadership Team. And, your family, friends, classmates, and others who believed in your idea, helped build an Action Plan, and led powerfully.

Your team debrief meeting is an opportunity to learn and grow as individuals and a team committed to making a difference. It’s the perfect time for you to express your appreciation for your team’s ideas, positive attitude, and tireless efforts in support of C2C.

Team Debrief Meeting

The Team Debrief Meeting should take place the week after your Quality Sort, while the experience is still fresh in your mind. The meeting agenda could be structured as follows:

1. WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS

2. WARM-UP

Ask members to guess the total number of bags collected by Project 351. When totals are reported, give a special shout out to the person with the closest guess. Or, ask each member to express one positive trait about someone who stood out in their leadership during service. By the time the circle of introductions has closed, everyone has heard something positive about themselves!

3. OVERVIEW OF SERVICE IMPACT

Report the totals from Quality Sort; celebrate the impact you made, share a slideshow of images from service and the team in action!

4. DEBRIEF

Encourage your team’s reflections and ideas through “Roses and Thorns” (see exercise and chart on next page.)

5. SUMMARIZE & NEXT STEPS

Ask a member of your team to summarize “Rose and Thorns,” and another to summarize “Leadership Lessons” for the group. Shared leadership reflects your humility and kindness.

6.

APPRECIATE & CLOSE

Review any Action Steps (e.g. Celebrate & Appreciate, social media postings, etc.) and key dates.

Leadership Lesson

Sometimes feedback can be difficult to hear—and to share. “Rose and Thorns” is an interactive exercise that frames challenges in a positive, actionable manner. As the leader, set a tone of respect, active listening, and appreciation—even if you disagree or are disappointed by what you’re hearing. Encourage feedback on structure and process, rather than by personality. Remember, no one is perfect! Every experience is an opportunity to learn, grow, and lead.

Power of Teamwork

“Roses and Thorns” is a teambuilding exercise that generates positive and productive lessons learned from service. Please ask each team member to share their service highlight (rose) and one area of the project or team that needs improvement (thorn).

Capture both lists on a shared document or spreadsheet and discuss as a team. Remember: every idea or comment is valuable and should be respected. This discussion will build your leadership skills and improve your next service mission!

TEAM MEMBER ROSES

"In union there is strength.”

AESOP

THORNS WORDS OF INSPIRATION

Your Team Handbook of Leadership Lessons

Throughout the Toolkit, you have read inspirational quotes from famous people, every day heroes, Alumni of Project 351, and your classmates. Leadership requires continuous learning from both success and challenge.

Engage your team in a discussion about the Leadership Lessons they learned through service and by working as a team. Ask everyone to contribute one to a team “best of” list. Compile the list and share it with the team and your Host Site contact as a handbook of wisdom for future service.

TEAM MEMBER

LEADERSHIP LESSON

“Individual commitment to a group effort—that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.”

VINCE LOMBARDI, HALL OF FAME FOOTBALL COACH

HOW I WILL USE THIS LESSON IN THE FUTURE

351 Reflection

The process of a team debrief and recording your own personal reflections is an important source of insight and motivation. Active listening and an open mind and heart are key to a productive conversation.

Three roses that were the most essential to your team’s success:

Five leadership lessons from your team that you’ll carry forward:

One thorn you’re determined to avoid in future service efforts...and how you plan to do so!

Ambassador Voice: In Our Hands

“I want to share the joy that I have for helping others with those who might not realize the difference they can make. I want to change the way people think and feel towards each other and make it more positive!”

ARYANNA APPLEBERRY AMBASSADOR, LYNN

“My motivation comes from my Launch Day service at Cradles to Crayons. As I worked on making outfit packs for little girls, I saw a little princess dress. My heart melted. This small piece of clothing would make a difference in a kid’s life and give them the confidence they need to be happy. Everyone deserves to feel confident and happy and I’m so grateful that I can help make that happen.”

ELLA WHITFIELD, AMBASSADOR, BILLERICA

“I’m proud to be an Ambassador because it means I stand for something bigger than myself. It’s not just a title—it’s a responsibility to lead, to serve, and to inspire others to do the same. Being part of a community that believes in the power of young people makes me feel that what I do matters. ”

PIERCE LEARY, AMBASSADOR, NORTH ANDOVER

I will embrace...

ACTION STEPS

Focus on Lessons Learned:

ENSURE full attendance of your Leadership Team for debrief. The opinions and ideas of every team member are important and should be heard.

SET a positive and encouraging tone—begin with celebrating your impact and sharing appreciation.

SUMMARIZE “Roses & Thorns” and “Leadership Lessons” in an email to your team. This wisdom will strengthen the team’s future service projects and their skills as leaders.

SINGLE OUT each team member with a compliment about their contributions.

TAKE a team photo, whether in person or on Zoom! Share it on Project 351 social media!

JAPANESE WORD FOR “CHANGE FOR BETTER” OR “CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT”

Celebrate & Appreciate

Leadership Goals

> Model Project 351 values of compassion, humility, and gratitude.

> Celebrate the success of Spring Service with your friends, family, and community.

> Motivate continued service of your team, family, and community by expressing gratitude and sharing impact.

Our Foundation

Project 351 is built on gratitude. We are grateful for the privilege of service. Thankful for the opportunity to unite as a community. And, appreciative—always—for all who encourage, inspire, motivate, and make possible our efforts to make a meaningful difference in our communities and Commonwealth.

Our service is not complete until we express appreciation with sincerity, creativity, and authenticity. By sharing gratitude, we hope to bring joy to others, foster unity, and encourage continued service.

Appreciate

1. Create a Gratitude List

Work with your “Celebrate & Appreciate Crew” to complete the list of those who helped you with Spring Service—team members, Alumni, Educators, School Administrators, caring adults, friends and family. Use the Gratitude List grid (on next page) to organize your ideas and the people you want to appreciate.

2. Partner with Your Celebrate & Appreciate Crew

Brainstorm creative and fun ideas to share the impact and inspiration of your service. Morning announcements, Host Site website...these are all opportunities to say “thank you for your service!”

3. Create Meaningful Ways to Appreciate Everyone

THANK YOU NOTES

Hand written notes are always best! Here are some letter writing tips:

„ Be specific about why you are thanking this special individual. What role did they play? How did they contribute to service success or your growth as a leader?

„ Share the positive impact this individual helped create. Highlight the quantity of donations collected for Cradles to Crayons—both locally and across the state. Reflect on the number of children served and the positive impact you have made.

„ Include a photo of your team or a picture of your donations filling a truck or at your Regional Drop-off location.

„ Inspire them to continue to serve with words of encouragement.

„ Mail your notes!

SMALL GIFTS

Bake a batch of brownies for your Host Site. Make handmade cards for the caring adult who supported your Leadership Team. Be creative and personal!

SOCIAL MEDIA

Use the social media accounts of your Leadership Team, Host Site, and other supporters to express appreciation to individuals, organizations, and the community. Engage others—perhaps your Mayor, City Manager, and School Superintendent will help you share gratitude? Be sure to tag those you’re appreciating!

Celebrate

„ With Project 351—post pictures and stories to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media and tag #P351 and #p351springservice.

„ With your community—share your team’s story and the impact you made in a local paper and on social media. A “Letter to the Editor” is a great way to convey gratitude and impact!

„ With your Leadership Team & friends—host a virtual or in-person gathering in celebration of the donations you collected.

„ With your school—celebrate and appreciate their support on the school website and social media, and through morning announcements. Create a “Thank You!” banner with impact numbers to display at your school entrance or in the cafeteria.

„ With your family—thank them for their support and think of new ways to serve together. Brainstorming future service projects is a great dinner table topic!

Celebrating service is a great way to get the word out about the difference your community has made, while inspiring others to serve, too!

Gratitude list

Please complete this grid to ensure you appreciate and recognize the dedication, partnership, and hard work of those who made your service possible.

NAME REASON I’M GRATEFUL

Host Site

Leadership Team

Caring Adults

Family

Friends

Don’t forget to include Spring Service impact numbers in your acts of kindness. Let the recipient know the positive difference they made!

HOW I WILL CELEBRATE & APPRECIATE

DEADLINE

351 Reflection

A grateful heart is essential to inspirational leadership. Be sure to have fun as you spread thanks!

3 5

Three creative ways you expressed thanks:

Five people or organizations for which you are most grateful:

One word to express your gratitude as you complete Spring Service:

Ambassador Voice: Gratitude

“I’m grateful for everyone around me. My parents, educators, friends, and the Project 351 staff. You are the reason why I’m able to serve proudly and make others happy. You are the reason why I believe this is important and how I have the opportunity to serve. You are the reason why I want to continue to serve with Project 351 for as long as possible. Thank you.”

SANDHYA RAMANATHAN, AMBASSADOR, BOXBOROUGH

“I would like to thank the educators who selected me for 35ONE. Without them, I wouldn’t be able to experience what it feels like to be part of one big family from all across Massachusetts. It’s such an amazing experience meeting new people and creating a positive difference in the world.”

DOMINIQUE ACLO

AMBASSADOR, WATERTOWN

“I am grateful for my Service Hero team -- the Sareya Taylor team -- and Nya’Lia Lindsey, my Alumni Mentor. They give me a sense of belonging.”

APURVA VASON

AMBASSADOR, ACTON

I am grateful for...

ACTION STEPS

Focus on Gratitude:

ENGAGE your Leadership Team to create a comprehensive and inclusive Gratitude List.

LEVERAGE the talents of your Celebrate & Appreciate team to develop a strategy for creatively expressing thanks.

SET a deadline—no longer than two weeks after your Sort—to complete your gratitude efforts.

HIGHLIGHT impact, milestones, and memories in your expression of thanks.

BRAINSTORM “high traffic” opportunities (e.g. school website, newspaper, apps) for thank you banners and messages of thanks.

USE social media! Coordinate a gratitude hashtag for use by your Leadership Team and dedicate a day to “celebrate & appreciate.”

GRatitude

CLEO WADE

Author & Poet

ALUMNI INSPIRATION

NAME

Doan Tran TOWN Quincy YEAR 2018

IN EIGHTH GRADE, I WAS... Shy

How do you reflect on your successes and challenges at the end of service projects?

I look back on service projects as some of the most rewarding experiences in my life. I like to sit and write in a journal about my challenges and successes throughout the process of leading service. By focusing on gratitude, I gain a deeper appreciation for what I’m lucky to have in my life -- whether it be my support circle or a roof over my head. Reflecting on service helps me learn a lot about myself and my community, and how to fully appreciate everything I have.

My advice to the Ambassador Class is...

to learn how to embrace uncomfortable moments. There may be times where you feel nervous or a little anxious because you’re trying something new. Just keep in mind this means you’re pushing yourself to learn and grow! Try to take any moments where you may not feel 100% in your comfort zone as a learning experience. And remember, when you need support, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Project 351 support circle -your AMC, other Ambassadors, Educator Mentor, or the 351 team.

Looking ahead

Leadership Goals

> Reflect on successes, challenges, team feedback, and your experience to gain wisdom and discover opportunities for growth.

> Imagine future opportunities to lead and inspire.

> Take pride in what you and your team have achieved in support of children, your community, and a more beautiful world.

Spring Service Reflections

How has your commitment to support children facing poverty and homelessness changed? How will you continue to positively impact these children?

How has Spring Service motivated you to continue to make a difference in your community? What are you inspired to do next?

As you reflect on your Spring Service, how have the following groups or individuals been positively impacted?

THE CHILDREN SERVED BY CRADLES TO CRAYONS

HOST SITE

LEADERSHIP TEAM

MY SCHOOL (if applicable)

MY COMMUNITY

MY FAMILY

MYSELF

351 Reflection

This is it! The final 3-5-1 of Spring Service. The Service Roadmap ends here…or does it?

There’s always important service to be done—in your community and with Project 351! Next up, our Earth Day Service and Be Kind To Your Mind Month!

Three moments or milestones from Spring Service you’ll always remember:

Five leadership lessons that will strengthen your future service:

One big idea for creating positive change inspired by Spring Service

Ambassador Voice: Our Heroes

“I dedicate my Spring Service to the teachers and staff who do so much for our school and aren’t always recognized. This includes teachers, custodians, and substitutes. Without their dedication, our students would’t be able to excel.”

ELSIE SEWALL, AMBASSADOR, HANSON

“I am grateful for my mom. She has made me confident, powerful, smart, and understand that I have the responsibility to help others and make a change in the world.”

ANASTASIE SYCHEVA

AMBASSADOR, MARBLEHEAD

“I am grateful for my parents. They’re so supportive of my commitments to sports, the arts, school, and so much more! Thank you, Mom and Dad!!!!!!!!”

OWEN SIKET AMBASSADOR, SHEFFIELD

My hero is...

ACTION STEPS

Practice reflection. TAKE TIME on your own and with your team to review service, roses and thorns, goals and achievements, and opportunities for greater strength.

WRITE down ideas that you will take with you for 9.11 Tribute Service, Fall Service, and other Service projects that you will lead in the future.

GET READY to create even more inspiration and impact through Earth Day Service and Be Kind To Your Mind Month!

We showed that UNSTOPPABLE . UNSTOPPABLE .

“ we are united “ and that we, young people, are

Greta Thunberg

Climate Activist

2023 Service Hero

“Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.”

ANDREW CARNEGIE, 19TH CENTURY INDUSTRIALIST AND PHILANTHROPIST

The Crimson Lion/ Lavine Family Foundation Anonymous

A NOTE OF GRATITUDE

“Project 351 inspires me to step up and take action. It pushes me to serve my community, lead with kindness, and stand up for what matters. It reminds me that even small efforts can create real change. 35ONE makes me want to be a better leader, a better person, and someone who doesn’t just talk about making a difference—but actually does it. There’s a lot in the world that needs fixing, and while I can’t solve everything, I can do something.”

~ Pierce, Ambassador, North Andover

By the second month of your Ambassador year, you’ve learned one essential truth – when you lead with love, serve with compassion, and build bridges with audacious hope…anything is possible. You demonstrated that on Launch Day, when you united – first as strangers, then as family – to learn, serve, and lead. By day’s end, the power of 35ONE was unstoppable! More than 34,000 neighbors served and a year of endless possibility in your hands

We’re so proud that you have embraced the challenge of leading Spring Service. Investing your big hearts and bold ideas to make a difference in the lives of tens of thousands of children. We admire your compassion and respect your conviction to build the skills and knowledge to lead. There is an urgent need for your leadership – 1 in 3 children are at risk of experiencing clothing insecurity. Through Spring Service, you will help ensure every child has the resources they need to thrive.

That hopeful vision is only possible because of best-in-galaxy partners, champions, and friends. Our Beloved Community includes:

„ Our generous investors and strategic partners – Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation, Jeannie & Jonathan Lavine, Martin Richard Foundation, John Hancock, Foundation to Be Named Later, Shuman Family Foundation, a generous champion who chooses to be anonymous, and WBZ-TV.

„ Cradles to Crayons and their network of social service organizations, especially 2025 Service Heroes Katy DeMoura and Molly Walsh.

„ Board Chair & Honorary Dean Charlie Rose, Educators’ Advisory Group Chair Mary Cringan, Host Site contacts, civic leaders, Mass Association of School Superintendents, educators, your LT, and your families – your first and best role models!

„ An amazing Alumni team of leaders, mentors, and advocates.

„ Our Toolkit craftspeople who expertly bring our values and vision to life: Jon Goose and the Color Copy Center Boston team; Danielle West, educator and graphic designer; and photographers Jennifer Cogswell, Michael Casey, and Benson Chang, Class of 2022.

„ And…the 35ONE team! I’m so very lucky to serve with and learn from Megan Burke, 2025 Service Hero Michaela Campbell, and Cindy Laba – each of whom invests unconditional belief and inspirational talent in support of your limitless potential!

We unite to celebrate you and the power that is in your hands to build a more loving, united, and compassionate community, Commonwealth, and world.

Lead on, Ambassadors!

With gratitude & admiration,

Carolyn

Carolyn Casey Founder & Executive Director

Project 351 believes that every young person is remarkable and that within them lies the tools, vision, and desire to build a more just, inclusive and united global community. Founded in 2011, we build a movement of change makers and bridge builders by investing in the courage and capabilities of an eighth grade Ambassador from every city and town in Massachusetts. Annually, educators select their hometown Ambassador for an exemplary ethic of service and the values of kindness, compassion, humility, and gratitude. We place a special premium on the recognition of unsung heroes and quiet leaders, and an Ambassador community that reflects the rich diversity of our Commonwealth.

In our first 15 years, we’ve been fortunate to engage 5,588 eighth graders for a year’s term of enrichment, mentorship, civic engagement, and immersive service leadership. Together, these extraordinary eighth graders have impacted more than 1.4 million neighbors through transformational service. As they lead, they cultivate the values of kindness, empathy and inclusion in schools and communities; address the causes and consequences of poverty; progress social and racial justice; and strengthen the ethic of youth service.

Transformed by an eighth grade Ambassador year, high school and college Alumni continue to hone skills through the Alumni Leadership Continuum.

A portfolio of leadership, service, and career development opportunities prepare a pipeline of diverse leaders for success in every sector. We’re proud to witness Project 351 Alumni lead as founders of innovative nonprofits and foundations, social and racial justice activists, enlisted military and AmeriCorps members, and mission-driven professionals in education, environment, and global health.

Project 351 is a nonprofit organization powered by Ambassador leadership and the investment of civic-minded corporations, foundations, individuals, and Project 351 Alumni.