Lakenheath Red Cross wraps up Summer Youth Program

Souvenir bags are compiled on a table to present to all Red Cross youth volunteers at the Summer Youth Program’s end of summer barbeque, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Aug. 17, 2018. American Red Cross RAF Lakenheath-RAF Mildenhall team hosted the six-week program to teach youth volunteers accountability, professionalism and teamwork in various settings around the military base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Shanice Williams-Jones)

Lakenheath Red Cross wraps up Summer Youth Program

A representative of the 48th Medical Group takes a photo of a Red Cross volunteer receiving an award at the Summer Youth Program’s end of summer barbeque, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Aug. 17, 2018. Summer Youth Program volunteers served at numerous locations on RAF Lakenheath, RAF Feltwell and RAF Mildenhall including the surgical department of the 48th MDG. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Shanice Williams-Jones)

Lakenheath Red Cross wraps up Summer Youth Program

Hailey Bangerezako, a Red Cross volunteer, reads her award at the Summer Youth Program’s end of summer barbeque, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Aug. 17, 2018. Bangerezako volunteered over 120 hours interning at the 48th Public Affairs Office. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Shanice Williams-Jones)

Lakenheath Red Cross wraps up Summer Youth Program

Published Aug. 20, 2018
By Hailey Bangerezako
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- The Royal Air Force Red Cross wrapped up its Summer Youth Volunteer Program with a social Aug. 17 at RAF Lakenheath, England.

The social aimed to unite participating volunteers across RAF Lakenheath, RAF Feltwell and RAF Mildenhall to celebrate a successful summer volunteering across the tri-base area and the completion of the six-week program, where the participants experience what it is like to work in a professional setting.

"I wanted to come into this program to help kids get an idea of what work is like," said Eva Shultz, the RAF Lakenheath Red Cross youth engagement lead. “I wanted them to look at those volunteer hours as their paycheck, to build up experience for college applications and to be able to have real world experiences in fields they may be thinking about in the future.”

The goal of the Summer Youth Program is to teach the youth volunteers accountability, professionalism and teamwork in a professional setting around the military base.

"The Red Cross volunteer program has really helped me this summer," said Gabriella I. Bangerezako, a Red Cross youth volunteer assigned to the base chapel. "I’ve learned how to be a part of a team and the classes they offered have helped me in my day-to-day life."

The Red Cross team incorporated classes for the volunteers such as a Four Lenses class which focuses on how to interact with others in a professional setting, resume writing and interview class.

“We are teaching them professional development skills," said Courtney Norton, a RAF Lakenheath Red Cross regional program specialist. "That's part of the accountability and responsibility that ties into their overall leadership development.”

This program sets up its youth volunteers for success by giving them a passion to serve their community.

"Personally, I hope that all our youth find joy in volunteering and as they get older they can continue to want to serve their communities in some aspect," said Shana West, a RAF Lakenheath Red Cross field office coordinator.

The Red Cross Summer Volunteer Program expects to expand even more in the future with more classes and facilities becoming available to participants.