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Organization encourages teens and moms to get involved: Young men in North Texas help serve the community
By Kaitlin Pennell
Staff writer
As teenage boys grow into adulthood, they tend to stray away from their mothers. The Young Men's Service League strives to prevent this from happening by engaging mothers and their sons in civic activities.
Founded in 2001 by Pam and Julie Rosener in Collin County, the organization provides multiple volunteer opportunities for young men and their mothers. The organization has a variety of opportunities to help serve the community throughout the year, including assisting the elderly, participating in the Ronald McDonald Foundation and volunteering for Habitat for Humanity.
"I think it's really neat that we're able to help out whenever help is needed," High continues. "It's that exposure to the community that [we're hoping to achieve]."
Each mother and son team has a specialized job in the organization. High and her son, for example, are in charge of the philanthropy for the Frisco chapter.
"It's one of the ways we try to keep the organization going," High said. "It also gives [the boys] the experience of being in a leadership position among [his] peers. There are moms present that help keep the meetings going, but for the most part, it's the boys that do all the talking and leading."
The young men also meet once a month for workshops that address leadership skills, responsibility, college preparation, health, nutrition and making positive life choices. The YMSL has participation opportunities for all boys in high school and provides different needs and education lessons unique for the different age groups.
Older members of the organization will talk to the younger members about their experiences and give them tips on how to get past different obstacles, such as taking the SAT, writing résumés or applying to college. These discussions help the boys learn and grow from one another, High said. Speakers specialized in activities, such as health education, will also make appearances in these meetings to talk to the young men.
"It helps make a more well-rounded organization for the boys to be a part of if everyone's helping out and pitching in," High explained.
High hopes the organization will help open the boys' eyes to different things in life and encourage lifelong participation in their communities.
"We just want to enlighten the boys and help our community," she said. "We are very proud of what we have helped accomplish and want support from the community. I think there is integrity in the organization because we strive to give all the help we can to the community and the things they need."
Individuals interested in joining the YMSL can find membership and other information are available on the organization's website at www.ymslprestonwood.org.
"We're giving boys the special opportunity to work with their moms -- there are not a lot of organizations out there that allow you to do that," High concluded. "It makes a huge impact on the boys' lives to instill the things we address in them before they head off to college and are on their own. As adults, I thinks it's our responsibility to do [this] for our kids."
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