Conference linked local teens with inner-city kids

As the youth from Our Lady of Grace parish in Ballston Lake and St. Matthew's Church in Voorheesville rode a bus from the convention center in Kansas City, Mo., to their service project during the recent National Catholic Youth Conference, they listened to their portable compact disk players and spoke to one another about when they would be getting their own cars.

Those conversations stopped once the youth arrived at the Clymer Neighborhood Community Center, located in a federally funded housing project in a depressed area of the city.

Approximately 138 local teens were among 1,300 youth to participate in service projects during the NCYC.

Young minds

Both the local youth and the children at the Center were quiet as the teens filed into the building that smelled sour with a bit of disinfectant. But soon, the youth and the children, who ranged in age from age 6 to 12, had bonded.

Chris McCune, from St. Matthew's, showed a group of little ones his video camera and let them test out their videography skills. Meg McGinty, also of St. Matthew's, came prepared with crayons and coloring books, and was soon surrounded by little girls.

Meanwhile, the youth from Our Lady of Grace played games like "Duck, Duck, Goose" and "London Bridge," while other teens read books to the children.

The Center serves 125 children a day during the school year and 250 children during the summer. Children learn etiquette and communication skills, and get help with their school work at the club. Said one Clymer Center employee of the children served, "They need caring adults and education to succeed."

Lasting effect

Another Center worker told the youth from the Albany Diocese: "This moment will go on forever. They'll always remember this experience. What you've done today brings about a change."

After explaining that much of the work of the club is providing children with the care and nurturing they don't receive at home, he shared one of the club's success stories.

The top female high school athlete in Kansas City began coming to the Center, he recalled. When she started, she had a 1.3 grade point average and was floundering in school. After receiving guidance and nurturing at the club, she is now fluent in German, has a strong grade point average, and is planning on going to college.

Reactions

The Kansas City children enjoyed the afternoon spent with the teens. Ten-year-old Fashima said, "I wish they could stay forever."

The Albany diocesan youth were also impressed by the experience. "This was a unique experience," Meg said. "Not only did it brighten their day, it brightened ours. It opened our horizons; it opened us up to a different life."

Betsy Welshhans of Our Lady of Grace was also impressed by the experience. "At first, I didn't know why they wanted me to come," she said. "I'm glad I came. I could see God in every one of the little children."

She spent much of her time helping a little boy read. With her gentle coaxing, he sounded out the words to some of his favorite stories. "I didn't know what to expect," Betsy commented. "They were so sweet. They wanted to be loved so much."

Eric Shedlbauer of St. Matthew's had reservations about the service project. "I was somewhat nervous and didn't know what to expect," he said. After the project, however, he said the experience was one of the highlights of the NCYC.

Chris agreed. "I'll remember the kids I met," he said. "This was definitely a quality service project."

Making a difference

Kristen Stano, a student at Saratoga Central Catholic School, volunteered at a Boys and Girls Club location in Kansas City. She was pleased by the experience. "We would have rather stayed longer," she said. "The kids seemed to have fun."

This project was nothing new for her. Three times a week, she volunteers at a local daycare center.

Service is important, she said. "If no one did service, nothing would happen. The poor would stay poor, and the rich would stay rich."

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