Danville, IL Youth Group Working to Improve Area
By Lori Burnett
The 2007-08 school year has been a busy one for the Danville, Illinois Youth Auxiliary group – also known as the Danville Advocates. On September 12, 2007, officers of the group attended a lunch meeting for the Danville chapter of AMBUCS, where they were presented a plaque for Most Outstanding Youth Auxiliary by Janet Myers, past president of the Danville AMBUCS. The Advocates were honored to win this award and especially proud to receive it in front of the adults who serve as their sponsors.
Each month, the Advocates hold special events for students with disabilities that attend Danville High School. Fun is always part of the meeting. Bowling outings, picnics, movies, playing board and card games, making crafts, going out for pizza and decorating pumpkins at a Halloween Party are just some of the fun activities the Advocates have organized year.
As teenagers affiliated with the AMBUCS organization, the Danville Advocates members find that helping people with disabilities has had a positive impact on their own lives. They credit their group involvement with helping them to become more patient and sensitive of those less fortunate.
The Advocates also perform various forms of community service around Danville. A food drive was held at the high school for Thanksgiving and the Advocates volunteered to paint faces at the Danville AMBUCS Christmas Party in December. They also made Valentines cards for residents at local nursing homes this year. In the spring, Advocates will celebrate Earth Day by doing a clean up and beautification project outside the high school. Another community service initiative for the Advocates is the recycling program at Danville High School. Teachers save paper in recycling cans and students pick it up from the classrooms to be sent for recycling.In addition, the Advocates serve as peer helpers throughout the school day, assisting in classrooms, physical education classes and during lunch. Club sponsors Tammy Graham and Lori Burnett - both teachers at Danville High School and members of the Danville AMBUCS- appreciate having Advocates volunteer to work with their students.
“Students learn to appreciate the abilities and strengths of their new friends though sharing social activities,” said Graham. “The Advocates are role models for our students. Our students are motivated and excited when they are learning new activities with the Advocates.”
