Civic Responsibility and YMSL

Carter Smith

October 27, 2019

On Sunday October 27th we toured the Fort Collins Police Station.  We learned about Civic Responsibility.  Police officers and other law enforcement agents are required to take the civil service exam.  Their focus is to protect people and property.

The beginning of our tour stared in the area where they take emergency or 911 calls.  This is an example of when the police are helping to ensure people are safe.  We then toured the area where they hold kids that did something to break the law.  The police would hold them until their parents could arrive.  This is an example of where they are protecting anyone who may have been armed by the kid but it is also a way to ensure the child is safe as well.

After that, we toured the area where the police kept adults who perhaps didn't have to go to jail but they needed time to calm down.  Some examples were if they'd been causing a disturbance or had been drinking.    During the tour we also went outside and saw the SWAT cars and other vehicles.  All vehicles are designed to protect and serve the community but also keep our law enforcement officers safe.  One area we also saw was the police officers testing their tasers which illustrated preparation in being ready and able to protect the community.

Part of our civic responsibility as citizens is to respect the rights beliefs and opinions of others.  One thing I've learned already in my activities in YMSL is the focus on serving those in our community that need help, while respecting them; as this is all part of my civic responsibility.

The YMSL Experience, By Bohdan Salcido, November 3, 2019

“The YMSL Experience”

Bohdan Salcido

November 3, 2019

There are many opportunities within YMSL that present themselves as both enlightening and unique, but in the beginning, I wasn’t so sure I understood the objective, nor was I sure I wanted to be a part of it.  When I went to one of the first YMSL meetings my freshman year at King Soopers, we learned all about a single mother and got insight into what her week looked like.  I was moved by her and how hard she had to work just to get food on the table every day for her and her kids. It was a very fun meeting, setting up a meal for her and her family for $10 or under, but it made me realize how stressful it must be to try to provide an inexpensive and healthy meal and how many people in our community are impacted by this situation every day.  After that meeting, I felt like YMSL was really something I liked and wanted to be a part of.  I feel privileged to have an extremely loving family and very supportive friends and I that have the ability to participate in sports, travel, etc., but not everyone has these opportunities, so this was enlightening and I knew this was a way I could contribute. 

My relationship with my Mom also has improved a lot as well because when do a service or volunteer at Respite Care (my favorite philanthropy) we work hard together to achieve a goal of making someone else's life better. Getting up early in the morning and helping kids with special needs have a fun day at the Lee Martinez Farm or at the museum makes me extremely happy because they are cheerful and loving and that makes my Mom and me feel that we are helping give back to this amazing community filled with really grateful and charitable people. Overall, I think that YMSL has opened my eyes and made me feel like a helpful member of this community and that is the least I can do since I was born and raised in Fort Collins.

A Senior's Thoughts on YMSL

by Aiden Baugh

Through my four years of being in YMSL, I have had numerous beneficial experiences. I am glad that I have been able to help my community so much with this group. I have had so much fun helping at places such as CYO. At CYO, I was able to meet and help the kids at the day camp. I will always value the connections and memories I made - over a fishing pole and a bag of Cheetos.

The monthly meetings were also very beneficial to me - sometimes long but beneficial. I was able to meet with all of the boys and learn about various life skills. One of the things that we learned was interview do’s and don'ts. It was obviously helpful because later that week I interviewed for a job and I got it - and I still have it! As you can see, YMSL has had a very rewarding impact on my life and I believe that every boy should be involved with YMSL.

Aiden and his mom, Kris, volunteering for Ultimate Gift at Homeward Alliance.

Philanthropy Update

 by Ryan Green

September 11, 2019

Meals on Wheels is a terrific philanthropy that is based on the desire to improve the health and quality of life of seniors, and help ensure no one is left hungry or isolated. At the beginning of this past summer I participated in an orientation for Meals on Wheels. At each stop we dropped off a hot and cold meal for each patron, and when they saw us at their door, their faces lit up. They loved having someone to talk to, and being entertained for a few minutes before their lunch. Each senior had a few stories to tell, and all were very kind and inspiring. One elderly woman we met was all alone in her home as her family had moved to Kansas. She was so excited to see us & show us her flowers; it was impossible to deny her request for hugs. Another man talked to us about his medical procedure that caused him to only be able to eat pureed food, and he then kindly offered us raspberries from his garden!

Meals on Wheels is an outstanding organization and I enjoyed volunteering for them throughout the summer. I can’t wait to deliver more meals and meet new people!