YouthBuild students
from Quincy and
Worcester were among over 350 young people from 11 Massachusetts
YouthBuild programs who attended the 13th annual YouthBuild Day at the
State House on January 27.
The day began in the Great Hall with
speakers
including Second Assistant Majority Leader, Rep. Byron Rushing;
Secretary of the Executive Office of Public Safety Kevin Burke; and
Rep. Gloria Fox. Gov. Duvall Patrick also visited the assembly.
A student speaker from each program
shared their
personal stories of transformation, telling about what YouthBuild has
done for them. After each speaker their entire group stood to say a
pledge to YouthBuild ideals they had composed, a pledge recited at the
beginning of each day.
“YouthBuild is giving me a much larger
perspective
on life. This program is assisting me in becoming a better and more
responsible man and worker,” said Quincy student Dallas Fox, grandson
of Rep. Fox.
Worcester
student Carlos Orozco said, “YouthBuild has been an inspirational
experience for me. It put me on a straight path to success.”
Worcester students met with Rep.
James O'Day.
YouthBuild students and staff spent the
afternoon
with their legislators or assistants discussing local programs, the
need for additional state support due to decreased federal funding, and
the importance of YouthBuild in their lives and in their communities.
"YouthBuild Day at the State House is a
tremendous
opportunity for young people to learn that their government is personal
and that their legislators are real people who care about supporting
their education and growth," said Andrew Mente, Chairperson of the
Massachusetts YouthBuild Coalition.
Secretary of Public Safety
Kevin Burke said, "You should be proud of the changes
you are
making in your lives and for what you are contributing in your
communities. My office is working with YouthBuild Programs as anti-gang
community interventions and I know YouthBuild works.”
Other programs represented were from
Boston,
Brockton, Cambridge-Chelsea, Fall River, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, New
Bedford, and Springfield.
For
more photos click here.
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