“Give a man a fish,” the saying goes, “and you feed him for a day; show him how to catch fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” That observation came to mind after visiting with RSVP Director Angie Flesner about the Volunteer Youth Alliance (VYA).
She said the group, given the green light by Alliance City Council this past Jan. 7, is “Really to help engage the youth in our community and have them become more interactive (where they live).”
Keep Alliance Beautiful has been reaching out to our patrons to invest in opportunities to help at the recycling center as well as spending time to make their own neighborhoods cleaner and greener. In that vein, a group from the VYA is scheduled to help erect the foundation of our art wall (see “Recycled Art Wall” March 2025) later this month. I am excited to welcome them for a creative endeavor, though more routine options such as sorting recyclables or plucking litter from the weeds are always helpful.
As I have mentioned before, one of the first non-organizational (4-H or Scout) volunteer childhood memories in my queue comes from picking up trash downtown for KAB during Heritage Days. My parents encouraged this type of service and volunteering has become part of who I am over the decades. The students joining the Volunteer Youth Alliance, likewise, may be getting their first taste of volunteerism without being part of an athletic team, church or national organization that also promotes service within the community.
“I’ve been wanting to start a youth program like our RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) for years,” Angie said. She talked to Randy Waggener, then City of Alliance finance director. After he retired they started to build a board, put by-laws together and approached the powers that be at the City, saying “this is what we have and this is how we want to do it.” Angie’s boss, Cultural and Leisure Services Director Shana Brown and City Manager Seth Sorensen both supported the proposal before its official stamp of approval by City Council. “They also funded us $5,000 in ACE funds, which covers program fees,” Angie emphasized. “We’re hoping to just need it one time, and plan to do fundraisers.”
At just over four months – available to fifth grade to high school seniors – VYA has already built a sizable pool of volunteers. Angie said 21 youth have signed up. “We’ve gotten more volunteers from the middle school,” she replied when I asked about the age range, assuming there would have been more high schoolers. Further, the make up includes a handful from a church youth group and home schooled students with members finding out about VYA from a newspaper article and word of mouth. The initial group has been active in signing up for projects and there has been a good repsonse from sponsors too, Angie said. “I think the more it’s out there (the better the reponse will become). Last month (March) we had at least 90 hours of youth voluteer hours.”
Voluteer Youth Alliance members seved at the Senior Center Volunteer Valentine’s party then at the RSVP recognition dinner at the Eagles. One youth volunteers weekly at the Animal Shelter and “one little gal helped serve lunch at the Senior Center a couple days,” Angie added. In addition to KAB, the VFW has been offering reoccuring volunteer opportunities. Most recently, the youth helped roll out Easter eggs for the community hunt. Painting fire hydrants is planned later this spring.
Mentoring may be another benefit of VYA inherent in its structure with RSVP volunteers on the board, which also incudes two youth members. “We hope to get them to work with the seniors,” Angie noted. “When we built our board we did our best to include every ethnic background in the community.”
According to the handbook: Volunteer Youth Alliance was organized in 2024 to unite youth and seniors who volunteer their time towards building a healthy Box Butte County. We support junior and senior high school students who are looking to use their time, energy and talents to give back to the community. With community leaders, youth learn leadership, business skills and relationship building. They are supported to reimagine passions, make healthy lifestyle choices and pursue academic excellence. As a volunteer for VYA, you’re contributing toward “building the best hometown in America”.
The focus for places to volunteer is on non-profits, Angie said. “We don’t want to take the place of somebody with a paid position.” For information contact Angie at 762-1293 or volunteeryouthalliance@gmail.com