Its been said that great leaders aren't born, they're made. Teens leave the Visalia YMCA programs with more that just fond memories, they take with them leadership skills that prove to be useful well into adulthood.
Participants gain confidence and self-esteem.
They learn respect for others, the environment and their community. So what you end up with is a remarkable finished product. Service Learning can make a significant impact in the lives of teens. They can grow through volunteer activities that build character values such as responsibility, respect, honesty and caring. Service Learning is also a wonderful way for teens to gain work experience and get a feel for what they would like to do in future careers.