Multicultural Youth Group Launch at Guilford Park

Young people, ages 13-18 in the greater Brattleboro area are invited to attend the Fall Kickoff of a multicultural interfaith youth group on Sunday, September 8 from 5 to 7:30 pm at the Guilford Community Park Pavillion.

Attendees will get to know each other through icebreakers; by sharing a meal; identifying potential group activities and service projects for the fall and winter months and roasting marshmallows for S’mores.  The hope is to build on the success of the recent Brattleboro Youth Challenge where eight BUHS mentors formed teams with young newcomers from Afghanistan, Congo, Eritrea, Liberia and South Africa to explore downtown Brattleboro together doing challenges of discovery.  

According to organizers, the purpose of this group is to build a multicultural community through friendships, fun and service– making a difference. Church affiliation or attendance is not expected though numerous religious organizations in Windham County support the effort by hosting the group on a rotating basis and ensuring that all can participate, regardless of their spiritual affiliation or their ability to pay or fundraise.

“The youth group benefits equally from the perspectives of young people who are newcomers to this culture and from the experience of youth who have grown up here,” explained Brian Remer, group facilitator.  Remer describes the group evolution into a dynamic multicultural club for teens who are interested in sharing their cultures and learning about each other.

 

“This is a good time to bring a friend or attend for the first time.  We will be assessing if there is interest for a service trip this quarter,” Remer stated. He explained that each gathering typically features a short community service project for which the youth receive credits toward the 40 community services hours required for BUHS graduation and if there is both interest and commitment, the group can travel to more distant service sites.

 

“Past groups have tackled community service projects, social justice issues, learned about different faith traditions, canoe and camped together, held overnight “Lock-Ins” locally, attended youth leadership conferences and explored New York City’s diversity and rich traditions,” stated Remer. “The goal for this group is to build leadership skills and friendships among young people who care and want to make a difference in their communities,” he said.

 

In the past decade, youth performed community service in places as diverse as New Orleans, Kenya, St. Croix, El Salvador and the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in South Dakota. To ensure wide participation, the group conducts fundraisers leading up to each trip.

The Guilford Community Park Pavilion is located at 24 Church St. in Guilford, VT. If inclement weather, the gathering will move indoors. Directions: 1-91 to Vermont Exit 1 (Brattleboro), south on Route 5 to just past the Guilford Country Store, left on Bee Barn Road, left again on Church Drive.

A $5 contribution towards the food is encouraged from those who can. For information or to reserve a spot, please contact Nanci at (802) 258-8348 or email nanci.leitch@gmail.com.