Kansas City, MO (November 4, 2014)
Children International – Legazpi’s Program Manager, Joey Echaluce, and Youth Council President, Julius, 18, will be keynote speakers on the topic “Gearing Up to Serve” at People to People International’s 2014 Global Youth Forum in Kansas City. The forum takes place November 5-9 and gives youth from around the world the chance to be exposed to diverse ideas, cultures and people, while equipping them with the tools and inspiration necessary to foster cross-cultural learning, develop leadership skills, connect with like-minded peers, and make a difference at the local and global levels.
The theme for the 2014 Global Youth Forum is “Learn to Serve, Serve to Learn” and includes more than 10 hours of educational workshops and six hours of community service work, as well as cultural and social activities. As part of this year’s event, Joey and Julius will speak on the topic “Gearing Up to Serve.” Specifically, they will be presenting how Children International youth implement community projects and create community partnerships.
As a Youth Council member, Julius has received leadership training from Children International’s Youth Leadership Training program, which uses a specialized curriculum developed in partnership with the Peace Corps. The training provides youth with a hands-on learning experience where they can practice important life skills, including interpersonal communication, public speaking, teamwork, problem analysis and decision-making, conflict resolution and resource management. Part of the training also involves identifying and investigating community problems and possible solutions. Youth then analyze the resources required to implement the solutions. After these steps, the participants plan and carry out a community project designed to address those needs in partnership with their local community members.
One of the ways Children International empowers youth to take on service projects is through its Youth Empowerment Fund. All 16 of Children International’s democratically elected Youth Councils receive annual Youth Empowerment Funds of $20,000 each. The Youth Councils evaluate community needs, decide what projects to propose, and then help implement the approved project using the funds to better their community. Past projects have included the construction of clean-water sources, park beautification and anti-bullying campaigns.
Joey and Julius are excited to share their knowledge from projects like these with the youth at People to People International’s 2014 Global Youth Forum and learn from others as well.
“I can’t describe the excitement I am feeling right now,” Julius says. “I’m looking forward to the things I will be able to learn from our speakers, our activities and from the experience of my fellow participants … ” In regards to his and Joey’s presentation on “Gearing Up to Serve,” Julius adds, “We are really hoping that they will grasp and understand how we investigate and plan as an important tool in implementing community-service projects.”
Two other Children International youth, Kelli and Pearl, 16, from Little Rock, Arkansas, will also attend the 2014 Global Youth Forum. Kelli and Pearl are active members of Children International’s youth programs in Little Rock and exhibit a strong desire to serve others through community-service projects. Kelli and Pearl currently serve as President and Vice President (respectively) on the Youth Council at Children International – University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Learn more about People to People International.
About Children International
Children International is a top-rated humanitarian organization focused on ending poverty by helping children and youth. We take a holistic approach to our programs and work through local professional staff at each of our 80+ community centers worldwide. Our goal is that each child graduates from our program healthy, educated, employable and empowered to break the cycle of poverty.
