'Youth Enjoying Service'

At Randolph parish, youth say ‘YES’ to serving others

RANDOLPH  For more than 10 years, young people — from pre-schoolers to teen-agers — at Resurrection Parish here have been coming together to make a difference in the lives of others. They are part of a youth ministry outreach group called Youth Enjoying Service, also known as YES. Throughout the year, the service conscious group gets involved with helping others including seniors, inner-city children and military troops stationed overseas. These projects are usually organized and led by teen-agers of the parish and younger children and their families participate in the different activities.

“The group was formed more than a decade ago by parents wanting their children to have a social justice ministry experience,” Father John Tarantino, pastor of Resurrection Parish, said. “Throughout the year they do many events and are very active. This self-started ministry by parents gets the entire parish involved.”

Emma Baxter, a junior at Randolph High School and member of YES, has been participating in the group since the first grade. “I look forward to the different events we host throughout the year. It’s a tradition to do each of the events and it’s great to see all these people come together doing something for God and having fun while doing it,” she said.

When she was younger, Baxter enjoyed making cards of encouragement for the troops serving overseas and putting together care baskets for them. Today, she looks forward to the picnic the group hosts every year at White Meadow Lake in Rockaway for inner-city children through the Fresh Air Fund. She said, “Everyone has fun at that event. Throughout the years, I’ve made so many friends.”

Amy McHugh was one of the founders of YES, and today, the group is run by Beth Manzi and Emma Baxter’s mother, Jen Baxter, who said, “The group started as a way for the youth of the parish to get involved with helping others. When we moved to Randolph, we became involved with the group right away.”

The ministry’s most recent project helped to raise money and awareness for children with cancer. From around the community, including different religious groups, 30 boys shaved their heads for childhood cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. The group has so far raised $13,000 and in the past four years more than $50,000 has been collected. The impact on the event has been great on those who participate.

According to the coordinators, four grammar school boys made presentations in class about their efforts and put a glass jar for donations that raised more than $200. Their teacher also attended the hair-shaving event. Several of the participants also chose the fund-raiser over a rescheduled championship game because they were committed to the cause.

Jen Baxter said, “The young people take on a project and run with it and invite other youths to be involved. It’s also nice to see the older kids as role models for the younger ones.” Many of the group’s activities involve helping senior citizens. Just recently, YES hosted a luau for seniors of the parish. They taught the seniors how to hula and provided entertainment for them. Near Halloween, the group spends time with senior citizens at a local nursing hosting a “reverse trick or treat” event. For Easter, the young people make baskets for the homebound parishioners of Resurrection filled with candy, stationery and cards.

“Through YES, I have been able to build leadership, organization and people skills,” Emma Baxter said. “It’s great when you are able to help someone else. You learn a lot about the world and yourself. I definitely suggest other young people get involved with helping others. You have nothing to lose and so much to gain.”