Three Palisades Charter High School seniors were recognized last month by the YMCA of Greater Metropolitan Los Angeles for their organization A Call Away. Amber Perry, Olivia Stutman and Zoe Stutman founded the organization four years ago when they were in ninth grade. A Call Away provides complimentary services to families with children in the hospital. The services include grocery shopping, homework help, meal delivery, organizing paperwork, pet care, laundry, childcare and raising money for parking fees.
Rich Schmitt/Staff Photographer
The three seniors were chosen from 1,177 participants to attend the Youth & Government Excellence in Leadership Award Banquet a couple of weeks ago held by the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles.
“It meant a lot to validate our work,” Olivia told the Palisadian-Post. “We were all very grateful and humbled.”
Perry and the Stutman sisters saw the need for such services after they struggled personally through family and friends’ hospitalizations. The girls have been active members of the Palisades-Malibu YMCA Youth & Government program throughout their four years in high school and have described their experience as “life-changing.”
Rich Schmitt/Staff Photographer
This past year the local Youth & Government program has given 102 youth in the Palisades and surrounding communities the opportunity to participate in a model legislature and court program. Y&G teaches students about the democratic process and works to shape future leaders.
The California YMCA Youth & Government program engages over 4,200 middle and high school youth each year in the state in endeavors that develop positive character traits and community involvement. Within the Greater Metropolitan Los Angeles area, 21 branches run such youth programs.
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