Details

Published: Thursday, 21 July 2016 20:30

Three incredible Days in New York City for Florida Youth Participating in the SYTA Youth Foundation’s Silver Lining Program

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 21, 2016 – The SYTA Youth Foundation (SYF) and its partners provided 30 students from the Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida with a three-day educational experience to New York City on July 18-20, 2016. Every student came from a different background, but what they all have in common is a dedication to being engaged in their community.

One Silver Lining participant, Mercedes, is an incredibly caring and loving individual who likes to be active in her community and try new things. “I plan on taking a ton of pictures so that I can show my mom and family who have never flown on a plane before either,” remarked Mercedes.

The Silver Lining Program’s mission is to recognize deserving students who have demonstrated through their action, intention, or circumstance, the desire to expand their awareness, creating a dramatic life change. With the help of volunteers, SYF partners, and SYTA annual conference host cities, SYF has impacted nearly 400 students since 2006.

"Young people who grow up in public housing or come from low income families are the demographic served by the Boys & Girls Clubs. Young people who come from these backgrounds often have many disadvantages in their lives ranging from a lack of assistance and support at home, to little or no positive adult role models, and a lack of opportunity to experience life-changing and eye-opening new things. For our Club members to have the opportunity to go on a trip to see everything that New York has to offer will do so much for them and their futures in that. The trip will further reinforce what they have been taught at the Club and it will begin to close the gap in terms of the deficiencies that are often felt by our youth,” explained Richard Yount, Service Director, Temple Terrace Branch, Boys & Girls Club of Central FL. “Going on a flight, staying in a hotel in the middle of the city, touring some of the country’s greatest sights, and doing it with the same caring adults who teach them about staying on the right track and dedicating themselves to their future and to their academics will inspire these young people to continue on the path that got them where they are today—and that is making smart choices and dedicating themselves to what’s important. This is an invaluable opportunity that will vastly broaden their horizons. I’m certain it will be a life changing experience for everyone who participates."

The 2016 Silver Lining Program would not have been possible without the support and generosity of our valued partners, volunteers, and Wingmen! A special thank you to:

Applebee’s NYC
Beyond Times Square
Blue Man Group NYC
BookMyGroup
CiCi's Pizza Orlando
Disney Theatrical Group
Empire State Building Observatory
Hard Rock Cafe
Kaleidoscope Adventures
Madame Tussauds New York
Mama Sbarro
National September 11 Memorial & Museum
New York Water Taxi
Norm Hull & Associates
NYC & Company
Pegasus Bus
PhotoVision
Señor Frog's
Starr Bus Charter & Tours
SYTA Youth Foundation Wingmen
The Air Travel Group
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Ride