“Creating Bridges Among the Youth of our Community”

-2007 National & Global Youth Service Day in Kingston, New York-

On April 21, 2007, the Sharing the Blessing ministry organized the 3rd annual National & Global Youth Service Day project in Kingston, New York. More than 100 people attended, with a predominance of youth between the ages of 16 and 26. Thanks to the UTS students, the Youth Group of the Mid-Hudson Valley Family Church and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kingston, who responded massively. This year’s theme “Creating Bridges among the Youth of our Community” truly reflected the diversity and the commitment of the youth who not only attended the day-long activity, but took initiative and even made promises for future involvement in similar projects. In addition to the groups mentioned above, we had young people from the local high school and Baily Middle School. There were also some representatives from Ulster County Community College. Thanks also to the parents who came to attend to the younger ones and offered help through transportation and food distribution at the 2 sites. At 9 am as we were launching the activities, Mayor Sottile showed up unexpectedly and addressed the crowd on the importance of youth giving back to the community they belong to.

The following hours proved that to be true. Exercising their skills and willingness to serve, these young men and women poured energy, spirit and heart into the job, not just completing it, but making it a deeply rewarding experience. The only existing bathroom at Forsyth Park got the paint renewed from the outside, about 15 picnic giant tables were painted and kids enjoyed face painting from experts who honored the day by lending their talents. The extensive cleaning and raking helped the park ready for the busy spring season. At Kingston Point the trail building required more professionalism and the more than 50
youth allocated to the task did extremely well. At some point the completion of a wood bridge served as a testimony of dedication and love for service in the mind of our youth. Five of them stayed back and missed the entertainment portion of the National & Global Youth Service Day in order to finish the job. To them the job would not be completed with an iota of labor left undone.

We were all stimulated from the impressions and reflections shared after the project. Many wondered if such projects could take place more often than once a year. The city of Kingston would not comment on that. As we all know, when the spirit of our youth is tested, we have to think big. The evening entertainment was delightful. The martial art demonstration by the UTS students and the Tong-Il Moo Do club of Hudson Valley, followed by an inspiring musical offering from the Boys of Praise and a new duo, the Last Charade, conclude the day with a note of hope as translated in the song.

Reported by Abdou Gaye
Director of Sharing the Blessing