MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Approximately 28 station youths are volunteering their time to the community through the Station Red Cross VolunTeen Program here this summer.
The program, which places youths ages 10 to 17 at various work locations around the station, gives them an opportunity to learn the value of giving back to the community while gaining hands-on experience in a working environment.
“The basic idea is to give youths a chance to find a new way to get connected with the community to experience some ideas for where they might want to focus their careers. Most importantly, to introduce them to the American Red Cross and volunteering,” said Katherine Jones, the station’s Red Cross Manager.
Youths interested in participating in the program receive a packet of information informing them of the guidelines regarding the volunteer program and a monthly time sheet they must use to keep track of hours worked.
The volunteens then receive two days of orientation and training that covers areas ranging from basic American Red Cross principles to professionalism classes on how to conduct themselves in the work environment.
“You’re getting 10- and 12-year olds that have more education in some of these areas than their parents do,” said Jones. “You really get a highly qualified group of young, energetic, temporary employees that you can really put to good use.”
After receiving their training, the youths are then sent out to their assigned locations to show the community their capabilities.
Jones said by volunteering through the program, youths are able to build up their self-esteem and show the community that just because they are young doesn’t mean they can’t be productive.
“It develops leadership skills,” said Jones. “Those are the skills they are going to need when they graduate high school and move out to the real world.”
A few of the locations the volunteens have been placed at include the Robert M. Casey Medical and Dental Clinic, the American Forces Network station and the station chapel.
“I like it,” said 10-year-old Jayna Detten, a volunteen assigned to the AFN station. “The thing is, volunteering kind of gives you a good feeling afterward. You’re doing something for the community.”
Some of the responsibilities the volunteens at AFN have been given include organizing CDs, assisting editing radio and television commercials, and aiding disc jockeys during radio broadcasts.
Detten said she has learned a lot about the technology involved in broadcasting and it’s a job that interests her for the future.
Several of the people who have taken the volunteens into their own shops agree that the program is a good thing.
“I think it’s a really great program,” said Lance Cpl. Corio Bruestle, a radio broadcaster. “It gives them something to
do instead of sitting at home and vegging-out. It’s a good experience.”
The youths can see how the lessons they’ve learned in school can be applied in the work environment, Bruestle said. Parents interested in getting their youths, ages 10- to 17-years old, involved in the program can contact the Station Red Cross at 253-4525.