One of our goals at the YMCA youth center is to empower individuals to give back and inspire others within their community; such is the case with Chris Brito, aka Chef Brito, aka junior YMCA staff member Brito! Initially Chris joined the center in 2015 only to play computer and video games after school; but after developing close relationships with Y staff, his visits have become meaningful. Leisure time turned into assisting staff with programming and preparing for community workshops, grilling at every summer event and various YMCA Togetherhood Projects. Chris is not just a regular at the Y, he is family; he is a part of the staff and we look to him for insight on what teens want. To date, Chris is half way to his goal of serving 100 hours before the end of the year. The Meadowlands YMCA is truly excited to have Chris Brito recognized at the 2016 New Jersey YMCA State Alliance Dinner.
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Ever since Giovanna Brattoli and Zachary Vorisek started volunteering at the Meadowlands Family Success Center, they have been become involved in the community more than ever. They both show leadership to the community and are committed in helping any way they can. During super storm Sandy, both Giovanna and Zachary volunteered daily with Regina Coyle and a number of disaster relief organizations at the evacuation center in Little Ferry. There, they helped families be transported off rescue boats into the evacuation center safely and went on rescue trucks with national guardsmen around town to distribute food to community members. They also worked with the Red Cross to distribute rescue kits and helped families settle in. Giovanna and Zachary even took off a day from school to volunteer alongside the FSC and Regina Coyle to build a playground for the Little Ferry community. They also were acknowledged at the Red Cross Leadership Youth Conference. They are acknowledged in school and in the community for their hard work. Giovanna has received a Caring Award from the Bergen County School Counselor Association in recognition of outstanding service to the community and to those in need and Zachary was awarded at his school for completing over 100 service hours.
Both strive to do their utmost best for all of our events at the Meadowlands Family Success Center. They both are involved in working with the children during our homework help, attend all our special events like our Family Dinner Nights and Easter Egg-stravaganza to set up, help make sure everything runs smoothly, and even stay after hours to help clean up. They come into our center always willing to help with any task. From the moment they walk through the door, they are “service minded” and completes various tasks and takes the time to inquire about the interests of the children. It is amazing to see how the efforts of Giovanna and Zachary make a true difference when working with our community members.
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