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Article by Youth2 student Amalia Culpepper-Wehr
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Youth2 – Youth Helping Youth 15th Anniversary Gala is around the corner, coming up this July 30. Youth2- Youth Helping Youth located in Saratoga Springs is a Field of Interest Fund of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region run by an Advisory Board of students and adults. The charity is celebrating this momentous occasion with a summertime gathering. The gala will include a silent auction, a social action mission auction, as well as dinner and desserts donated by Lily and the Rose and the Bread Basket Bakery, respectively. Annie and the Hedonists, Jonathan Greene, Mira Van Patten and Elyssa King will provide music. Set upon the hilltop housing gorgeous Anne’s Washington Inn, the festivities are open from 6 to 9 pm. to all those in pursuit of supporting youth social action.
Youth2 has a long and rich history of connecting young people to community service and teaching leadership skills. The organization seeks to transform young people by giving them the opportunity to participate in meaningful philanthropic work. Most uniquely, Youth2’s mission gives strong guidance and financial support to social action projects that are proposed, approved and led by young people. Youth2 has given 41 grants to assist youth locally, nationally, and globally throughout its existence. Students in Youth2 learn about the work of nonprofits and their own power to do good. The Book of Good Deeds, published by the organization, has over 100 opportunities for youth to participate locally to improve the community. The Trailblazing Volunteer Training, a three-and-a-half-hour workshop,
encourages young people to think about issues that they care about and turn their dreams into realities. Youth are recognized for their exemplary volunteering with the Community Service Incentive Award, given out at the end of each school year to two deserving seniors from high schools in Saratoga Springs. Fourteen years ago, Hallie Gibson McKinnon wanted to share her love of theatre with other kids in her community. Feeling that young people in her neighborhood had little to look forward to over the summer holidays, her creative expression turned into a mission. With her Youth2 grant, Hallie hired an acting teacher to create Theatre Thursdays, a weekly program that built community identity and friendships through theatre games and rehearsals. The youth’s hard work culminated in a performance for the neighborhood atthe end of the summer. Hallie’s idea and execution filled the summer months with a productive and fun activity, which every kid could enjoy. This is just one of the many creative visions held by past grant recipients.
In preparation for this event, Youth2 would like to thank the generosity of its many sponsors and the honorary committee listed on our website. Due to the kindness of local donors providing food, location, and entertainment, all proceeds from the event will directly enable Youth2’s continued work in the community. The Youth2 Fifteenth Anniversary Charity Gala will be held on 111 South Broadway at the Anne’s Washington Inn. The event will be from 6 to 9 pm. on Monday, July 30. Tickets can be purchased on youthsquared. org or brownpapertickets.com/ event/3416926. Admission is $25 for 22 and under; $50 for adults; $125 for a family of 4 or more. “Pay what you can” tickets are also available. Contact Beverly Lazar-Davis at 518281-9130 or youthsquared@yahoo. com with any questions.
