WARREN Teens try to make a difference

Pupils are providing the labor to assemble equipment at the center.
WARREN -- Youth Employability Solutions' CONNECT program at Washington Center begins Let's Make a Difference Day on Saturday.
Pupils in the CONNECT program have adopted Shepherd of All God's Children's Thomas Community Center to devote a portion of their community service efforts.
YES Inc., Community Solutions, Northeast Ohio Community Alternative Program, Lifelines and Youth Build are working to convert a room at the center into a multipurpose room.
CONNECT pupils will provide the labor to assemble indoor play equipment and various toys.
In a separate project that also supports Shepherd of All God's Children, pupils organized several fund-raisers to buy a reserve of nutritious snack foods for the preschool and day-care centers housed within the community center.
Raising funds
To raise funds for the two projects, pupils donated their own money and wrote letters to area businesses requesting assistance.
Tops Friendly Market on North River Road also donated to the cause. Austin Village Sparkle Market allowed the pupils to hold a bake sale this month during peak shopping hours.
"Students really pulled together resources to make these projects happen and the community has been so generous," said Melicia White, career consultant for CONNECT. "Things like these show our kids that there is a lot of good possible right in their neighborhoods and makes them want to get involved."
CONNECT will continue efforts at Shepherd of All God's Children Community Center by donating hours each month to improve the center. Pupils will assist with food service, maintenance and marketing.
"The project is designed to expose participants to skills used in actual career fields while at the same time giving teens a sense of civic responsibility," White said.
YES provides programming to pupils with barriers to being successful academically or in the workplace.
Programs offer personal development and basic academic support that enhances the pupils' employment opportunities and ability to become responsible and productive members of society.