BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- On Thursday, campers at Bangor’s YMCA Leadership School took to the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter to give back to the community.
There were about 15 youths who helped cook and serve lunch to the homeless. Making a positive impact is a main focus for the program.
“We are born not for ourselves, but to serve others and that’s exactly what these guys are doing right now,” said January Roberts, who is a senior staff member.
The program is designed to help teens find their inner leader by helping the community around them. They did not know what Thursday's activities would be until an hour before arriving at the shelter. For Sofia Wittmann, it was an act of kindness she will never forget.
“This is one of those ways where we can start a little ripple and that ripple will then grow,” said Wittmann.
Boyd Kronholm, the Executive Director of the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter, said the participants' willingness to give back to the community is greatly appreciated.
Thirteen years ago, this program helped Alex Hart decide to become a counselor.
“A lot of the staff members coming up acted as fathers, sisters, brother…I’m an only child and my father was never in the picture. So all of the mentorship and life skills that every young man should have, were given to me,” Hart said.
He hopes to continue that ripple effect for the next generation.
“I’d be doing a disservice to these younger leaders if I didn’t come back and try to give the same experience that I was able to receive,” said Hart.
The high school leadership program will conclude on Saturday. The middle school program will begin the next day.