From VOiCEup Berks, Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading
Photo courtesy of Fariya Ayshi on Unsplash
Luca Mele, 16, of Mohnton, PA, and Ariyan Patel, 18, of Wyomissing, PA, two active youth volunteers with VOiCEup Berks, are leading the creation of a meditation garden at Hope Rescue Mission as part of a Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC) of Reading community project. Over the past several years, Mele and Patel have volunteered a combined 400+ hours through YVC on projects aimed at improving the community.
This youth-led project will transform an underutilized field between the men’s and women’s shelters into a serene and welcoming space for reflection, relaxation, and community. Mele and Patel are passionate about making a lasting impact by using nature to provide a refuge for contemplation and solace for those experiencing homelessness.
The meditation garden, which will be unveiled at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, will feature a central meditation area encircled by handmade benches, wildflowers, and aromatic ornamental grasses to enhance natural beauty. Stone paths will create a sense of direction and movement, while handcrafted and donated birdhouses, birdbaths, and wind chimes hanging from trees will invite a deeper connection with nature.
“We hope this meditation garden will provide calm and comfort to those who need it most and offer a natural sanctuary for mental wellness,” shared Luca Mele, a sophomore at Lancaster Country Day School.
The students have solicited donations from area businesses, including home improvement, garden stores, and nurseries, and are grateful for the generous contributions in supplies and funding provided by Esbenshade’s Greenhouses and New Castle Lawn and Landscaping. Alongside a team of community members and YVC youth and adult volunteers, they will also build the benches themselves. The success of this project is made possible through the generosity of community sponsors and volunteers, and additional support in the form of donations and hands-on assistance is warmly welcomed.
This is just one of many youth-led projects developed through the YVC of Reading program, which is hosted by VOiCEup Berks. Dedicated to fostering a lifelong commitment to service, YVC of Reading provides volunteer opportunities for youth ages 11 to 18 throughout the year. Since 2016, YVC of Reading has engaged more than 3,000 young people in over 46,000 hours of service, strengthening the local community through volunteerism.
About VOiCEup Berks
Founded in 2016 as a fund of the Berks County Community Foundation, VOiCEup Berks empowers individuals to make meaningful contributions through volunteerism. By fostering civic engagement and service leadership, the organization helps to strengthen and uplift Berks County. For more information about VOiCEup Berks and YVC of Reading, visit www.voiceupberks.org/yvc.
About Hope Rescue Mission
Since 1894, Hope Rescue Mission has been a place of refuge for individuals experiencing homelessness in Berks County, PA. The mission provides residential programs that support individuals in transitioning back into the community as independent and productive members. Annually, Hope Rescue Mission serves over 328,500 meals, provides more than 110,000 bed nights, and offers case management services to those in crisis. Its HopeWorks Job Program supports men and women in securing employment to achieve self-sufficiency. In 2023, the mission expanded its services by opening The Lighthouse Women and Children’s Center, extending life-saving support to some of the most vulnerable members of the community.
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Source: bctv