Woburn Teens Serve in Joplin, Missouri

Six teen members and two advisors of the Intrepid Keystone Club at the Boys & Girls Club of Woburn recently volunteered with the non-profit organization Rebuild Joplin as part of their “After the Cameras Leave” project.  The project was an initiative at Boys & Girls Clubs around the world to encourage the youth and teens to raise awareness for areas affected by disaster, even after the media has left.

On May 22, 2011 a tornado ripped through Joplin, Missouri, leaving three million square feet of debris and 9,200 citizens essentially homeless.  The tornado ripped a thirteen mile path of destruction through Joplin and the surrounding area.  The storm also took 162 lives.  As stated on their website, “Rebuild Joplin exists to ensure that resources of all kinds are effectively leveraged to holistically address the post-tornado needs in the Joplin community and create a brighter, more vibrant future for its residents and families.”  Members of the Keystone program did extensive research and decided that Rebuild Joplin was the organization with whom they would partner and volunteer.

While in Missouri, Keystoners cleared one entire plot of land on which a house would be built for residents dislocated from the storm.  At two other future house lots, the teenagers leveled the land and prepared it for a foundation to be poured.  Due in part to these teenagers’ hard work and efforts, three displaced families of Joplin, Missouri will soon have permanent housing again.  The teenagers witnessed firsthand the long term effects of natural disasters and that the impact of volunteers (even those from 1,500 miles away) can make all the difference.

Special thanks to Megan Gambale (m.gambale@bgcwoburn.org) and Joe Maryanski (j.maryasnki@bgcwoburn.org) for serving as excellent mentors and advisors to the Intrepid Keystone Club and for chaperoning this meaningful trip to Joplin, Missouri.

The Intrepid Keystone Club is a leadership program for teenagers at the Boys & Girls Club of Woburn.  Members are in grades 9-12 and commit themselves to service learning projects at the Club and within the community.  Throughout the 2011-2012, these teenagers cumulatively performed more than 2,700 hours of service.  To learn more about the Boys & Girls Club of Woburn, visit www.bgcwoburn.org.