By Bill Basl, Director of AmeriCorps

It’s one of the most unexpected places to find a teen center, in a city hall, or perhaps this is a statement from Montpelier, VT that teens and youth matter to this community. The facility speaks to warmth and caring, the human touch that sometimes is lost in an overly stimulated electronic world.  This is a place where you matter for who you are not with what you currently have on your (play list) or how you dress, or how you look. Unconditional support and caring is offered by AmeriCorps members sponsored by the Vermont Youth Development Corps.

These AmeriCorps members reach out throughout Vermont to provide the emotional, educational, and life support words of encouragement teens and youth adults are seeking.  Above all, they convey a sincere desire that teens do matter and they have a person who they can share the large and small joys and challenges that we all face each day.  They also perform a key role of connecting teens to resources and services that can assist them as they go forward in life.

Helping make this happen at the Montpelier Teen Center is AmeriCorps member Kayla Gottwalt who helps lead program and resource development including the offering of direct services that are offered to teen participants. 

She thoroughly is committed to the mission of the Teen Center and one quickly realizes what an outstanding resource she is to the entire community.  If helping engage this often overlooked population, is something you would like to do please visit www.nationalservice.gov and explore the many AmeriCorps openings listed in the state where you want to serve.  Maybe you have participated in youth activities growing up and saw the difference those opportunities brought to your life.  So be like Kayla and meet the challenge and help lift up your community and our country and all those you will be privileged to serve.