My Nonprofit Reviews

I first got involved with Youthlinc back in 2013 and was able to go to Kenya on the humanitarian trip. I absolutely loved my experience, my team, and all the things I learned from other students/Kenyans. In fact, I still keep in touch with a little girl named Shamila who calls me a couple times a year. My younger brother Spencer went to Kenya last year (2015) and met Shamila and was able to take her a photo book that I had made for her. She started crying when she got it and Spencer said he knew right then how impactful these relationships are. I then tried a few other organizations the following years and just didn't fall in love with them the way I did with Youthlinc. I love how Youthlinc focuses on local service because I honestly didn't know there was such a dire need and that I didn't have to go to another country to make a difference, although that is also a very powerful part of the service year. I did my local service at Park City Hospital and still keep in touch with people I met there while volunteering. Now as a college student at the University of Utah, I've completely gone a different direction with my major than what I had planned for myself because of Youthlinc. I've seen how Youthlinc impacts people's lives literally around the world. As the oldest child, my younger siblings have seen the difference that it has made in my life and have chosen to get involved as well. Even my parents, who are now on the Board, participate as much as they can whether sponsoring other students to go or sit on the parents panel at orientation to share with others our positive experiences as a family by being involved with Youthlinc. This year I had the amazing opportunity to be an Alum Leader with my brother Spencer on a trip to Thailand, and our younger brother Andrew was able to come along as a first time student. The best part about participating on the leadership side of these trips is watching it change these kids who decide to go. It is a lot of work for months before and sometimes it gets a little hard for teenagers to put as a priority in their lives, but once they're out in-country and building strong relationships with others I can see it all click for them; that this is why they've put in so much effort and that it's worth it. That is my favorite part, being able to witness these experiences change the hearts and minds of people. Youthlinc creates lifetime humanitarians time and time again and i'm proud to be a part of such an amazing organization.