A Youth-Led Service Learning Project (Long-Term Initiative)

Powered by Youth Infusion | YLAB Program

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Fuel to Learn: Students Supporting Students is a youth-led, multi-stage service-learning initiative focused on addressing:

• Childhood hunger 
• Food insecurity 
• Access to basic needs 

This project is:

• Led by students in the YLAB Program 
• Supported by Youth Infusion mentors 
• Funded in part by the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation Youth Grant 
• Implemented in partnership with Youth Service America 

This project aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, connecting local action to global impact.

Primary Focus of the Project

• Addresses food insecurity in Monroe County 
• Supports food pantries and school-based pantries 
• Ensures students and families have access to nutritious food 

• Supports families experiencing financial hardship (ALICE population) 
• Provides essential resources such as: 
  • Food 
  • Hygiene items 
  • Infant care supplies 

• Access to food and hygiene supports: 
  • Physical health 
  • Mental well-being 
• Reduces stress and barriers for students and families 

• Removes barriers to learning caused by: 
  • Hunger 
  • Lack of basic needs 
• Supports students so they can focus and succeed in school 

• Builds collaboration between: 
  • Students 
  • Schools 
  • Nonprofits 
  • Community organizations 
• Strengthens long-term community impact 

ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed)

ALICE households are:

• Working 
• Earning above the poverty line 
• Still unable to afford basic needs 

Families often must choose between:

• Food 
• Rent 
• Childcare 
• Transportation 

Key Partner: United Way of Monroe County

🌐 https://www.pathhouse.org/

• Shelter and support for individuals and families experiencing homelessness 

🌐 https://www.safemonroe.org/

• Support services for individuals and families impacted by domestic violence 

• Student-led pantry providing food and hygiene essentials 

• Provides food, hygiene items, and clothing to students in need 

• Provides essential food and hygiene supplies 

Suggested Options:

• Caring Choices Pregnancy Center
  https://caringchoicespc.org/ 
• Women’s Resource Center
  https://wrcnepa.org/ 
• Maternal and Family Health Services
  https://mfhs.org/ 

Project Lead (Grant Recipient)

• Kayla Dell’Aquila 

School and Community Food Drive Leaders

• Jeremiah Rayside 
• Kayla Forbes 
• Eva Marie Huss 

Family and Infant Care Initiative Leader

• Margot (Abington Heights High School) 

• Organize donation drives 
• Engage at least 100 students 
• Collect food, hygiene, and infant care items 

Students will identify:

• Pantry coordinators 
• Program directors 
• Organization representatives 

Students will:

• Introduce the project 
• Confirm needs 
• Confirm attendance at the conference 

Organizations will be invited to:

NEPA Youth-Led Leadership Conference

• Participate in donation sorting 
• Engage with students 

Awards Dinner and Global Celebration

• Be recognized 
• Celebrate youth impact 

Organizations must:

• Attend or send a representative 
• Receive donations on-site 
• Coordinate transportation if needed 

Students will:

• Sort donations 
• Work alongside organization representatives 

Organizations will:

• Receive donations 
• Share their work 

OUTCOME OF STAGE 1

• 100+ students engaged 
• Donations distributed 
• Partnerships established 

Kayla will:

• Visit community organizations 
• Conduct interviews 
• Document needs and processes 

Includes:

• Organization listings 
• Services provided 
• Needs and gaps 

• All students will be interviewed 
• Captures youth voice and experience 

• Mentor and guide students 
• Connect students to organizations 
• Support partnerships 

A documentary highlighting:

• Childhood hunger in Monroe County 
• ALICE population realities 
• Community needs 
• Youth-led solutions 

• Documentary presentation 
• Increased awareness 
• Stronger partnerships 
• Youth-led advocacy 

• Stage 1: We take action and connect 
• Stage 2: We learn and build 
• Stage 3: We tell the story and create change