My Year with the Good Shepherd Alliance
By Mandy Girolami

This past year I was given the opportunity to be a part of the Good Shepherd Alliance (GSA) and their first ever youth initiative project as a member of their Board of Directors. Before I started working with the GSA, I did not know much about their organization and how much they did for our community. From the first meeting, I could tell I was in for a year full of learning and growth, both as a student and as a person. Not only was I able to participate on a board of professionals, but I also got great insight into the homelessness in Loudoun County of which I was previously unaware. As a teenager, homelessness is not one of the first things that come to mind when you think of our community. The harsh reality is that this is a growing problem in these economic times. The more the youth are both educated and involved, the more help they can provide.

My main goal for this past year was to raise both awareness and money for the great people at the GSA. Coming in as one of the first two youth board members along with Abby Chapple (Loudoun County H.S.), we had to lay the path for what we hope will be a tradition for years to come. In April of 2010 we hosted the first annual Heart for the Homeless Music Fest featuring four local bands and attended by a variety of students from all of the Loudoun County high schools. Not only did the event bring in funds for the GSA, but it also made more students aware of the problems in our area. For that I am truly grateful.

I would like to publicly thank the GSA for giving me this amazing opportunity, most importantly Vickie Koth, Steve D’Argenio, Mark Gunderman and those who serve on the Board of Directors. All I learned from serving on the board will help me in my future endeavors. Heading off to college is bittersweet for me, knowing that although I will be starting my future, I will also be missing opportunities to work with the GSA, an organization I have come to know and love. I know in my heart that each and every person serving on the Board of Directors will continue to do whatever they can to not only improve GSA’s programs, but also to alleviate homelessness in our community. Everyone at the GSA welcomed Abby and I with open arms and most importantly listened to us and our ideas. It is my hope that any future youth board members will take from this experience all that I have and more.

To learn more about how your school can partner with the Good Shepherd Alliance Youth Committee; contact GSA Board Chair Mark Gunderman at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or Youth Committee Chair Steven D’Argenio at 703-989-0140 or at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).