Kennedy Heights Community Center

Girl Power Receives National Service Award Alyssa Kenney

On Monday, January 15th Kennedy Heights Girl Neighborhood Power program received the Presidential Community Service Award for completing over 400 hours of community service during 2006. The award was presented during Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Service Day. Mayor Dave Cieslewicz presented the awards to individual youth in the community whom had completed over one-hundred hours and youth groups who completed at least 250 hours over the course of the year.

In 2006, the Kennedy Heights Girl Neighborhood Power group participated in monthly service projects which have included Kettle Collection and Bell Ringing for the Salvation Army; face painting for the participants in the Fit City Kids' Fun Run; working with the Weed Warriors at Edna Taylor Park during youth service day; and volunteering at the Atwood Summerfest. The Girl Power participants have also initiated their own youth planned projects throughout the year. Some girl initiated projects have included raising awareness about Darfur, participating in United Way's Day of Caring and taking a leadership role in the county wide food drive "Trick or Treat so Others Can Eat".

Instead of taking a day off, the Kennedy Heights Girl Power girls joined 400 other youth from throughout Dane County and participated in the Urban League of Greater Madison's Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Service Day. During the morning the girls participated in educational workshops, enjoyed youth performances, and a keynote address from gang prevention expert Jack Holliday. The girls joined in a youth march to the capitol at noon and then spent the afternoon starting their 500 hours of community service for 2007.

Girls in attendance included Kia Thao, Malinda Hongmanivanh, Kadee Thao, Chue Vang, Hailey Brill, Monique Howard, Tchia Thao, Lila Ly, Shawngura Gibbs and Serina Overland. Program coordinator Emily Seinkiewicz and Kennedy Heights AmeriCorps member Elisa Walker joined the Girl Power participants. The theme of this year's Martin Luther King Jr. celebration was, "It is Always the Right Time, to do the Right Thing."