Reno Teens Become "R.O.C. Stars"
By Daphne Shaw, Reno Weed and Seed Director
R.O.C. teens prepare food bags for distribution.
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So many teens have nothing to do and are unproductive during the summer months—but teens in Reno, NV, are giving back.
Through the 4-week Respecting Our Community (R.O.C.) program, teens met and worked with others on service-learning projects that allowed them to educate residents about their neighborhoods and any problems the area may have. The teens then took active steps to help alleviate the problems.
The program was developed through a collaborative effort of Weed and Seed, the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, and Washoe County Juvenile Services. Information was distributed to schools, the Boys & Girls Club, and Juvenile Services to get teens involved. Teens who were required to complete community service were welcome to participate in the program, which grew steadily as more teens learned about it and wanted to get involved. About 25 teens are currently participating in the program, which has been expanded to include the school year.
Because hunger is an issue that affects a great number of people in the community, Evelyn Mount, founder of the Community Outreach Program and veteran anti-hunger activist, came to talk with program members about the number of families in need.
In one major project, entitled "Food Fight: Fighting Hunger in Washoe County," participants met on Tuesday and Thursday from 1 to 4 p.m. to decorate paper grocery bags with hunger statistics, persuasive messages, and illustrations. They attached a flier to each fully decorated bag that described how to make donations to the project. R.O.C. members distributed the bags to neighborhoods throughout the city and picked up the donated items the following week.
The Food Fight effort was very successful; in 3 weeks, program participants collected more than 800 nonperishable items and delivered them to a local community outreach food pantry for distribution to families in need.
The community is very appreciative of R.O.C. efforts, and many residents have called to express their thanks for the program. One local gentleman even expressed his gratitude by treating R.O.C. members to ice cream after they had delivered food bags one afternoon. Rather than letting them pay at the local sundae shop, the gentleman paid their bill, saying their service was ". . . a great thing for the community."
After completing the Food Fight project, the teens began a project entitled, "Reno Reads: Literacy in Washoe County." For this project, they researched literacy facts at the local library and learned how the library functions. They then obtained library cards and visited all seven Boys & Girls Clubs in the area to read to the younger children.
They also created bookmarks that highlight literacy facts, and will coordinate a communitywide book club. Through this club, R.O.C. members will encourage everyone in the community to read the same book and will provide opportunities for them to discuss it with others.
The R.O.C. program is a great opportunity for youth to get involved in their community. Whether they are completing required community service hours or participating because they simply want to get involved, teens are learning about the impact they have in the lives of those who live in their neighborhoods. The skills and lessons they learn through R.O.C. will be with them throughout their lives.
The program will continue through the school year so its youth can continue to address issues they feel are important to the community. First up, the teens plan to resume their "Food Fight" effort in time for the holidays.
For more information, contact:
Daphne Shaw
Reno Weed and Seed Director
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