Kids & Family

New City Teen Helps The Needy In Los Angeles

Skye Maisel of New City spend part of her year-end school break helping the less fortunate in Los Angeles. The ninth grader joined other Jewish high school students from the New York metropolitan area to volunteer in distressed areas of Los Angeles with Young Judaea’s six-day December “Alternative Winter Break” (AWB).   

Maisel spend some of the time helping out at People Assisting the Homeless facility in Hollywood, CA on Christmas Day. She and other teens held a holiday party for the residents and played with the children. Maisel also joined in organizing and restocking food donations at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.

The objective of the AEB program is to develop a sense of community building in young people as well as providing a hands-on, up-close look at of some of the hardships suffered by people in disadvantaged areas. The young participants give their time to help those less fortunate in a program that emphasizes the Jewish value of “Tikkun Olam.” AWB, which was established by Young Judaea following Hurricane Katrina, also sent students to New Orleans

Find out what's happening in New Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

While helping others the students also learn valuable lessons.

“By living and working in communities where the effects of their efforts can be felt, these teens will learn firsthand about the issues affecting those who live in recovering and struggling areas,” said Andrew Fretwell, Young Judaea’s AWB manager. “Alternative Winter Break ensures that participants develop a sense of building community, get the chance to further explore their Jewish identity and ultimately go home more committed and better equipped to offer service where it is most needed.”

Find out what's happening in New Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here