The Teen Leadership Committee raised funds that they used to purchase holiday gifts.

Submitted

The West Hartford Teen Leadership Committee has been busy these past few weeks ensuring the Bridge’s Independent Living Program clients and their children have a happy holiday season.

The committee, comprised of leaders who participate in Teen Center activities, focuses on community service and program planning, and strives to support the development of problem-solving and team-building skills. With guidance and encouragement from Bridge Family Center staff, the group recently held a bake sale and raised almost $600. Using these proceeds, they then purchased holiday gifts for the young adults who are in the Bridge’s Independent Living Programs and their children.

West Hartford Teen Leadership Committee bake sale. Courtesy photo

“We are especially grateful for and proud of our teen leaders,” said Jonathan Merritt, Youth Services manager at the Bridge. He continued, “They are a group of driven and ambitious teens who reach beyond themselves to support others in the community. Their care, compassion, and enthusiasm are evident in everything they approach, and has filtered into all Teen Center activities.

After finishing their holiday shopping, the committee turned their efforts to an upcoming tag sale that will be held on January 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Elmwood Community Center. They are as inspiring as they are dedicated.”

Housed in the basement of the Elmwood Community Center, the Teen Center is a safe, supervised, substance-free, drop-in center open to West Hartford teens in grades 9-12. In addition to basketball in the light-filled court, the Teen Center offers billiards, video games, ping-pong, creative arts, and monthly field trips and some teens just like to come and hang out. The West Hartford Teen Center is sponsored by the Bridge Family Center, in collaboration with Elmwood Community Center. Funding support is provided by the Town of West Hartford, the Ellen Jeanne Goldfarb Memorial Charitable Trust, and the George A. & Grace L. Long Foundation.

To learn more about the Teen Center and the Teen Leadership Group, please contact Jonathan Merritt at [email protected].

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