Potential unleashed
Youngsters make a difference through camp
Carla Castillo caressed Chubby’s nose as the therapy horse nuzzled in for more attention.
The Western High School senior was taking a short break from painting the perimeter fence at Bit by Bit, a Davie-based equine therapy nonprofit that specializes in hippotherapy for those with special needs.
“I’m getting the chance to help people,” Castillo said. “In the end, it’s not the hard work we do, but the love we put into it.”
More than130 middle and high school students recently spent a week volunteering at more than 20 Broward County nonprofits selected by West Pines Community Church’s UnLeashed Mission Camp.
Campers organized rooms, cleaned toilets and windows, weeded, scraped gum from beneath desks and more.
Teams visited seven sites each day, such as Somerset Academy and the Susan B. An- thony Recovery Center in Pembroke Pines, the Salvation Army and Kids In Distress.
“The heart behind this is a better environment (for students) to build relationships with each other and get the attention off themselves,” said student pastor Justin Chades. “One of the goals is for there to be lasting connections.”
The overnight camp also focused on the lessons learned during their service. Cellphones were prohibited while volunteering, and face-to-face connections were encouraged.
“It’s a way of getting them out of their normal routine. We want to capture their attention as much as we can,” Chades said. “You’re giving one week of your life to others. Let’s do it right.”
Susan March, medical director at Bit by Bit, was pleased the volunteers helped spruce up the property the nonprofit relocated to in December.
“This was a great opportunity and great timing,” March said. “It saved us a tremen- dous amount of money. We rely heavily on volunteers.”
West Broward High School freshman Aja Parsons, 14, attended the camp’s inaugural year last year.
“I think everybody likes to make a positive difference,” she said. “Most teenagers are lazy, but through this, you learn how hard working you can be and more about your limits.”
Somerset Academy junior Alex Alvarez, 16, was forced to attend the camp by her mother.
Alvarez was reluctant to help out during her first couple days but changed her mind after Nina Corbe, senior community development associate at the Broward Outreach Center, was pleased with her work there.
“I didn’t think I’d impact anything,” Alvarez said. “I was more of a selfish person, but doing all of these projects made me realize I need to think about others.”