My New Red Shoes gathers high school students from around the South Bay to take part in service-learning program, the Junior Board. The goal of the Junior Board is to empower participants to become leaders, advocates and activists in support of homeless issues in their communities.

Students who apply and are selected to join the Junior Board meet for eight weeks over the course of four months to design and complete a community service project which will benefit homeless children in their community. In addition to learning about homelessness and its effects on families, participants will be taught about nonprofit best practices including how to shape public policy, inspire advocacy and create lasting community impact.

You can join a group of local high school students interested in learning about nonprofit work and seeking approximately 20 service hours that will impact homeless families in our community. Please email, Meredith Ackley, to learn more about registration for 2008/9 School Year

What the students liked most about the Junior Board:

I liked that I actually got to work directly with the press and goon TV to do an interview. It was a very hands-on experience.

The community, commitment, passion, willingness, friendship.

I liked meeting people from all different high schools and working together to create our own organization. I also liked learning about homelessness and starting my own nonprofit.

How the experience has empowered them:

It has shown me that if I take the initiative, I can do just about anything!

It has reinforced my passion for community service. Next year, I'm planning to spend a semester doing an independent study in school on the problem of homelessness.

I know how to learn, how to grow, the surface has been broken.