This year for Family Volunteer Day, CYL spent the day serving with the Mile High Horse Rescue. Serving as a family fosters a sense of unity and shared purpose. Collaborating on service projects cultivates empathy and compassion, as CYLers and their families witness firsthand the impact of their collective efforts. By sharing these experiences, families create lasting memories, reinforcing the idea that positive change is achievable through collective action.
Everywhere we looked across the farm, there were CYLers of all ages working together repairing windows, painting murals, and spending time with the rescue’s animals. Students shared that they enjoyed serving with their parents, and spending the day outdoors. Opportunities like this help connect teens to their parents on a level that allows youth to be seen as the leaders and the experts – it provides reciprocal teaching opportunities. As our young people are seeking more independence, Family Volunteer Day provides a sense of community and accomplishment that both parents and children can experience together.