Youths say YES to hard work

"The littlest things can mean so much to people."

That was the way Lizzie Cates, then 14, summed up her experience last year at the YES Work Camp, hosted by St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Community. Yes stands for "Youth Empowered by the Spirit."

Next week, Catholic youth groups from as far as Fallon will again gather at St. Teresa to spend the week working hard to benefit seniors and others in need in Carson City.

"Over 100 teens will work on about 40 sites," St. Teresa Youth & Family Ministry leader Douglas Stewart said about the June 13-19 YES camp. "They'll be painting full houses, cleaning, yard stuff, whatever people need done."

The recipients of the teens' labors were found by putting notices in the church bulletin and talking to different service organizations in the community, Stewart said. Some are not financially able to do the work and others are not physically able to handle it.

In it's second year, the YES camp has grown from 60 youths who worked on 27 homes last year.

"I'd say about half (the participants) are repeats," said Stewart, who began the program. "Last year we had high school and this year added a middle school camp going on at the same time."

The students stay at the St. Teresa School, sleeping on the floor. The church and volunteers provide the meals and "go all out for us," Stewart said. Adult volunteers supervise.

The week is not all work. There is time for worship, studies and fellowship.

Wednesday evening, they'll enjoy music. Nationally known musician Angus McDonell will present a concert of praise and worship songs. McDonell's song "River of Live" was chosen as the theme song for the 2003 National Catholic Youth Conference in Houston.

The concert is open to the public.

"It's just a great thing to see young people getting up at 6 a.m. just to help another person," Stewart said. "Last year, men and women were crying because of the way the kids worked, acted, and the respect they showed. It was amazing."