BwB Members: Leading By Example, Serving By Choice!

BwB PA members have been busy making a difference in Philadelphia and around the world! In March, 42 students spent their week of Spring Break doing service projects to help others, while the annual Joint Service Project in April brought more than 100 students to the Jersey Shore for a huge beach clean up. Click here to read more about Philly's spring service projects.

2008 Lead Program Kicks Off New Year

On April 5, BwB Philadelphia held its first Lead Workshop of the new year, which included teambuilding games led by Lead Peer Mentors, setting group norms and expectations, and activities focused on professionalism, communication, organization, and goal setting. Lead is BwB yearlong leadership program, empowering students to make positive changes and growth in their personal lives and communities. For more information about Lead, click here or contact Elizabeth Victor, (215) 772-2943. To read about PA Lead member Taskina Akhter  (pictured above), and her journey through BwB and on to college to become a doctor, click here.

PA Trek Team Heads to Nicaragua

Congratulations to the PA Trek for Knowledge Team as they head to Nicaragua in June to help build a school! We wish you all the best as you go out to change lives for good! The Trek Team includes Elizabeth Donahoe, Nuri Weitzman, and Omari Bigham from Abington High School; Rakim Rogers from Germantown High School; and Fredrica Gwyan and Grace Mantein from Upper Darby High School. To learn more about BwB's Trek for Knowledge, click here.

BwB Members Scoop Ice Cream for Local Kids

In April, BwB members volunteered for Ben & Jerry's annual "Free Scoop Day" where they scooped countless free ice cream cones for customers. Tips collected by BwB members were donated to Stand Up for Kids, an organization that helps homeless children and teenagers in the Philadelphia area. After the project, one BwB student, Fredrica, (pictured) spoke with her coordinator about a Trig test the next day and how she needed to go home to study. She had just spent more than four hours volunteering with BwB knowing she had a big test the next day. Then she said with a proud smile, "I'm like Kim Possible. I go save the world with BwB and then I go home and do my homework!"

Spotlight: Diamond Robinson, 9th Grade, MLK High School

I joined BwB because I wanted to help out my community, learn new things, and meet new people. Before, I wasn't doing anything to help other people. BwB has taught me that the world isn't just about me. Now, for one hour every week, I tutor first graders at the homeless shelter near my school. I don't just teach kids to read, I also make them feel comfortable, and help them be themselves. When I was younger, my family went through a hard time and we had to live at this shelter. It feels really good to go back and help out because I didn't have programs like this when I lived there. Read more...

BwB Students!
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