Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
January 9, 2002
New Seeds of Hope program seeks young adult volunteers
Junior Ambassadors board project for 20- to 40-year-olds
I never had any friends later on, like the ones I had when I was 12 ... does anyone?" Some Catholic school alumni intentionally misquote this famous last line from the movie "Stand By Me" by replacing "when I was 12" with "when I was in Catholic grade school." The practice illustrates in a small way the positive lifelong impact Catholic school education can have on a child.
Many children have been able to benefit from a Catholic elementary school education because of the Seeds of Hope Charitable Trust of Denver. The trust is a partnership between the Archdiocese of Denver and business and community leaders committed to supporting Catholic elementary schools that serve low-income, high minority populations primarily in the inner-city of Denver. It was formed in 1996. A new arm of the trust called the Board of Junior Ambassadors (or JA Board) was recently formed. Members include Melissa Coors, Sean Duncan, David Fuller, Jennifer Hawk, Jean Lascor and the author Kris Miller.
The JA Board's primary focus is providing those in their 20s and 30s with greater opportunities to contribute to the trust's mission of ensuring high-quality Catholic education for economically disadvantaged children, organizers said.
The JA Board is in the process of establishing a network of young volunteers called Junior Ambassadors who are willing to commit either 25 hours of time or $250 over a one-year period to inner-city Catholic schools. The Junior Ambassador program was launched Nov. 27, 2001, at Maggiano's Italian Restaurant. At that event trust members and Fuller of the JA Board introduced the Junior Ambassador concept to a group of potential volunteers.
Members said the JA Board is working with school principals to organize tours of schools and to establish volunteer programs in multiple areas, including organizing a library, substitute teaching and coaching, for Junior Ambassadors who are interested in donating time.
The JA Board also is creating a list of schools' financial needs for Junior Ambassadors wishing to donate money. Wish lists provided by the principals include items ranging from simple school supplies, like multiplication flash cards, calculators and overhead projectors, to larger items, such as new windows, doors, chairs and carpeting.
Additionally, the JA Board plans to host fundraisers every year targeting attendees in their 20s and 30s, organizers said. A scheduled fundraiser for April is an evening at "The Lion King" with a reception at Maggiano's Italian Restaurant.
Although the main purpose behind the fundraising events is to raise money for the schools the trust supports, organizers said a second goal is to create a community of Junior Ambassadors with shared values who are interested in both volunteering and having fun together.
"Growing up in Catholic schools provided me with a community of friends with similar values," said Lascor. "The board hopes to provide this same safe and supportive environment to children who might not otherwise be able to afford it, while at the same time building a similar community among the Junior Ambassadors themselves." JA Board members expressed a wide variety of reasons for dedicating their time to the project.
"I believe providing an education is the best thing I can do to help someone," said Coors. "And tying in Catholicism adds another valuable dimension to the education by teaching morals and accountability."
Author Miller said she believes that education is instrumental to breaking the cycle of poverty.
Seeing others give back to the community through the trust and wanting to do the same, was the reason Duncan gave for joining the board. Hawk, a recent convert, expressed her desire to become more involved in the Catholic community.
Board members said they anticipate Junior Ambassadors will have their own reasons for participating — ranging from a desire to work with minority children to an interest in participating in a young Catholic community.
Those interested in becoming a Junior Ambassador or in learning more about the trust, the Board of Junior Ambassadors or the Junior Ambassador program, contact Sue Roth Allen of the Seeds of Hope Trust at 303-715-3145.
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