Last November, on a chilly, overcast day, the youth of The William George Agency for Children’s Services (WGA) donned their winter coats and braved the swirling snow flurries to embark on a campus loop, all for the benefit of neighboring families in need.
While remaining indoors might have been easier, these young individuals were committed to their cause. “Cultivating personal responsibility is a crucial step in one’s journey to maturity. Many of the youths we work with have missed this step, to their detriment or to the detriment of others. We emphasize the importance of taking responsibility as an integral part of the growth and healing process,” explains Helen Hulings, the Executive Director of The William George Agency for Children’s Services, located in Freeville, New York. The Agency specializes in providing out-of-home behavioral, mental health, and addiction treatment services to children aged 12 to 18.
The teens at WGA eagerly participated in a Walk-A-Thon to raise funds for families enrolled in the Adopt-A-Family program of The Salvation Army Ithaca Corps. This event and a supplementary bake sale are an annual tradition at The William George Agency campus, where youth volunteer alongside Agency staff.
By the end of 2023, these youth had raised an impressive $3,167, benefiting six families—the highest amount ever raised and the most families assisted in a single year since the inception of the Walk-A-Thon a decade ago. The funds were utilized to purchase gifts and groceries for families facing hardships during the holiday season.
“The enthusiasm displayed by the children for this campus-wide activity is truly heartwarming,” says Hulings. “They wholeheartedly engage, rallying support from staff, teachers, and others on campus. This activity fosters camaraderie and a sense of purpose among the youth. It’s inspiring to witness them demonstrate a sense of selflessness by engaging in an activity to serve others, which is part of the healing process. There’s even a friendly competition between residences to see who can raise the most money and recognition for best mascot, team spirit, and sportsmanship. The event concludes with hot chocolate and a bonfire by our pond, fostering a sense of celebration and community.”
For families served by The Salvation Army, it’s a blessing.
“The need is very real for our local families struggling to make ends meet, which is why we’re so grateful to receive continued support from the youth at The William George Agency. Since I’ve been here these past six years, I’ve seen the youth always be willing to do whatever they could to help. From the smallest thing to the biggest, from vacuuming a floor to volunteering as bell ringers to helping us distribute gifts and supplies. Unfortunately, I think there will always be food insecurity in our community. A certain part of our population works so hard and still can’t make ends meet. Last year, we served a record number of families with children,” says Captain Stacy McNeil of The Salvation Army Ithaca Corps.
The Salvation Army Ithaca Corps is one of several nonprofits youth from The William George Agency have undertaken to support while in residence. Another is the Dryden Town Historical Society.
“Without their help, I hate to think about what we would have to do,” says Debbie Fisher, President of the Dryden Town Historical Society, which hosts an annual Opportunity sale in June and Homestead Heritage Fair in September. Over the past several years, youth from WGA have helped with the set up and take down of such events; last year, the Opportunity sale brought in $8,000 for the small organization.
“We have a lot of older volunteers, so it’s a huge help to have youthful strength around. The young men who have offered to help have always been responsive and responsible and seem to enjoy it as well.”
Other volunteer activities have included filling backpacks with food for the Weekend Backpack Program at the First Presbyterian Church of Dryden and placing American flags on the graves of veterans for Memorial Day in collaboration with the Homer American Legion Post 465. The former is a weekly commitment that youth sign up for during the school year and that benefits elementary school children. The latter has been a recurring event since 2017.
“Giving back is ingrained in our culture,” says Hulings. “We believe the foundation of good citizenship includes helping others. Sometimes, it’s the act of helping another that can transform behavior and improve self-esteem and perspective.”