Changing Lives Through Service

Being an Adult Coach is Spectacular!

2012-02-15T11:26:00.000-07:00

Mary Dewey (2010 Trip Leader) her Dad (2010 Adult Coach) in Fiji

Summer is getting closer and we are still in need of Adult Coaches. I have been a trip leader for 5 HEFY expeditions and have seen the lives of our adult coaches change just as much as the youth who participate. Being an Adult Coach on an HEFY expedition is not just about being a chaperone for the youth, it’s about being a mentor, a friend, and a spiritual leader.

To be an adult coach you don’t need any special training, experience traveling, or be fluent in a foreign language. Our best adult coaches are just moms and dads who love the gospel and have a desire to serve with the youth of the church.

As an adult coach takes part in the humanitarian project, they work side by side with the youth. This has been an opportunity to share mission stories, give the youth confidence, and build lasting relationships. As a Trip Leader I have often felt like I am too busy trying to run the program and work out details with the project that I don’t get nearly enough time to just be with the youth. I have been so grateful for the Adult Coaches, for the time and love they’ve shared with the youth in our groups. I know the youth really look up to them. I’ve also depended on them so much to help with Trip Leader responsibilities whether it’s running errands in town, helping a youth prepare a talk for a fireside, or keeping the group entertained with magic tricks while we wait longer than expected for dinner.

A couple years ago I was able to bring my own dad on a trip. I was engaged at the time so it was our last trip together just father and daughter. I loved it. We really grew together and created memories that we still talk about today. Meeting other people was fun and exciting and I loved serving the people in Fiji, but the memories I made with my dad will always be my favorite.

At the end of each trip we have a final testimony meeting, I am always touched by the feelings the Adult Coaches express about the ways the experience has really changed them. Check out some of the things the past Adult Coaches have said about their experiences.

“The youth participants were inspiring, the interaction with the local members was enlightening, and the service was both challenging and deeply meaningful.”

-Rachel Esplin Odell, Peru 2010

“This trip has changed my life. I went as an adult coach to 20 of the most amazing young people I have ever met. I grew to love the people immensely.”

-Tracy Riley, Fiji 2010

“I was able to take the time to go on this trip with my daughter. We will never be the same. I think the parent/leader program is great and very valuable.”

-Bryce Clayton, Peru 2010

“HEFY deserves my glowing endorsement. As a parent leader, I would have no hesitation recommending HEFY to other parents or their children.”

-Selena Pannell, Peru 2010

As a past trip leader I have to say, our trips would not be successful if it wasn’t for our wonderful Adult Coaches.

-Mary Dewey

Program Manager for HEFY

More Fund Raising Success!

2012-02-13T14:28:00.003-07:00

Last week we received a thick envelope from Kiera, who is coming to Fiji with us this summer. Inside was a large stack of checks she received from friends and family to go towards to her expedition. Here's what she had to say:

"Most of my fundraising came from putting together different parts of the sample letters on the HEFY website and sending them out. I sent out over 100 letters to friends and family, telling about what we will be doing to help the people of Fiji. I loved receiving donation mail everyday because it showed how much people actually care and want to help out. I'm so grateful for everyone that helped donate and although I was hesitant to ask others at first, it turned out to be a huge help."

Don't hesitate or fear fund raising. It makes it possible for anyone to go on an HEFY trip, and we promise it works.

Inspiration for Fund Raising

2012-01-19T16:44:00.001-07:00

If you need ideas or inspiration for fund raising take a look at what Hannon Young, who is going with us to Peru this summer, said about her fund raising efforts (last week she sent in over $1,000 she received in donations in just over one month):

"Much of my fundraising was inspired by the sample letters on the HEFY website. My mom and sister helped me type up labels of all the families who receive our Christmas letter. They were a great help stamping and licking all the envelopes:) It was really a group effort in the end- and a lot of fun. The best part, though, was opening the mailbox to find a Peru letter almost every day for a solid two weeks. I was really touched by how quickly people responded. It made me realize that people really do want to be involved and make a difference, sometimes all you have to do is ask."

Great job Hannon! We know that everyone can follow your example. You can find more information on how to fund raise, including the sample letters that Hannon used, on our website.

How can I go on a trip that is full?

2012-01-04T16:13:00.003-07:00

Is the expedition you wanted to go on full already? Don't worry, we have a few sneaky spaces reserved for anyone who has a parent that is willing to go on the trip as an adult coach.

Check the availability on any trip next to the words "Adult Coaches"- this will tell you how many moms and/or dads we still need on the trip. If your mom or dad is able to fill that Adult Coach position, then we'll guarantee you a spot on the trip!

Here are the expeditions that still need Adult Coaches (as of February 2nd, 2012):

1 Belize- 1 mom

2 Belize- 1 dad

3 Belize- 1 dad

2 Ecuador- 1 dad

3 Ecuador- 1 dad

1 Fiji- 2 dads

2 Fiji- 1 mom

3 Fiji- 1 dad

3 Peru- 1 mom

2 Tonga- 2 dads

3 Tonga- 1 dad

Remember that parents can fundraise too, since after all they will do just as much humanitarian aid as the youth!

Is there still space available on a trip?

2011-11-21T11:43:00.001-07:00

Since our expeditions are filling up quickly this year, you might be wondering how many spots are still available on a particular expedition. Checking the availability is easy:

Go to the expeditions tab on our website (www.hefy.org/expeditions)
Underneath each trip you will see numbers next to "Young Women:" and "Young Men:"
These numbers show many spots are STILL AVAILABLE on that trip

Once all the spots are filled, it will say "FULL." Each trip starts with 12 available spots for young women, and 6 for young men. Every year we have double the number of young women apply compared with young men, and so we reserve more spaces on each trip for young women. This means that a trip could fill up for young women before it fills up for young men (or vice versa). We won't fill young men spaces with young women because we like to keep a fun group dynamic with no more than a 2:1 ratio.

How soon should I sign up?

2011-11-08T16:28:00.001-07:00

Spaces on our trips are very limited, and we've been having record sign-ups this year. You can only sign up as long as spots are available on the trips, and after they all fill up you will be placed on a waiting list. There are a number of benefits to registering as soon as possible:

1. You get your first pick of the locations (although they are all great).
2. You have much longer to fund raise. The participants who sign up early are the ones who have time to fund raise enough money for their trip to cover the costs of the entire trip.
3. If you are a young man, you get first pick of the Eagle Scout projects.
4. If you are paying for the trip yourself, you can pay smaller amounts over a longer period of time.
5. You receive a texting donations code when you sign up to start getting donations via text messages.
6. You get to be in touch with us to hear about the trip details!

We already have a two trips that are full for young women, one trip that is full for young men, and the other spots are filling up faster this year than ever before. Don't hesitate to sign up this year, or you might miss the chance!

Please also feel free to contact us in the office 801-900-4111 with any questions or concerns you might have. We are here to help!

Sally

Fund Raise with Text Messages

2011-11-01T10:29:00.004-06:00

Each year, we are impressed with the number of participants who fund raise enough money to pay for most or all of their expeditions. These youth work hard all year long writing letters, seeking donations and engaging in their own fund raising efforts. Now, we have a new, faster, and easier for participants to fund raise: you can ask friends and family to text donations directly from their cell phones.

Text HEFY +your individual code to 20222 to donate $10.00 towards the HEFY projects and your fund raising goal.

Note: All donations must be authorized by the account holder. User must be age 18 or older or have parental permission to participate. By texting YES, the user agrees to the terms and conditions. All charges are billed by and payable to your mobile service provider. Service is available on most carriers. Donations are collected for the benefit of the Humanitarian Experience by the Mobile Giving Foundation and subject to the terms found at www.hmgf.org/t. Message & Data Rates May Apply. You can unsubscribe at any time by texting STOP to short code 20222; text HELP to 20222 for help.

How to get text donations:

Text your friends asking them to donate to HEFY by making a text donation.
Specifically ask them to text “HEFY XXX” to 20222 (replace XXX with your personal code - see below*)
Make sure they reply YES to the confirmation message they receive so that the donation will be complete

How it works:

You will receive a $10.00 credit toward your fund raising attainment which counts toward a discount on your trip cost.
Their $10.00 contribution will be added to their cell phone bill.
Each phone number is limited to a maximum of 5 text donations.
Make sure they include your personal code so it will count toward your fund raising. See how to find your personal code below*.

*To find your personal XXX code, log in to www.HEFY.org and click on the "Finances" link in the "My Stuff" menu and find the "text code" in the "Donations" section. If your friends and family don't include your individual code, the donation will not count towards your individual fund raising attainment.

Donations will appear in your finances account on www.hefy.org within 48 hours.

A New Expedition to Ecuador

2011-10-11T20:02:00.000-06:00

Next summer, we will work on a project in Ecuador for the very first time. Not only will it be our maiden voyage into the country, but it will be our first ever expedition for young women only. This idea came about because of the large number of young women applicants we receive each year (way to go girls!). Since we really hate turning people down, we decided to create this new program.

Ecuador proved to be the perfect place for a young women expedition since it is home to large number of orphanages that are constantly in need of help. This past week I went to our worksite in Cuenca, Ecuador where we will build facilities for an orphanage that is part of Orphanage Support Services Organization (OSSO)- coincidentally also a program run by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Not only did I get to meet many wonderful and kind-hearted volunteers that serve in the OSSO orphanage, but I also got to meet the children who live there. All of the older teens (and even some adults) in the orphanage are so severely disabled that they cannot speak or walk independently, and most are confined to specialized wheelchairs and equipment. I was very strongly impacted by the difficult lives that these people live, and the equally difficult work that volunteers and workers put into taking care of them. The men and women volunteering in this orphanage have very courageous spirits and hearts, and I'm in awe of the work they do.

I learned that OSSO has difficulty staffing its orphanage with volunteers, in part due to a lack of housing for those who would like to help. We plan to start construction on the housing that will allow for greatly improved care of the handicapped residents in this facility. As part of the program, our young women will be in the rotation of volunteers that serve in a number of the local orphanages, and they will have many opportunities to work directly with disabled teens and adults, as well as infants and children of all ages. I can assure everyone that the experience will truly change their lives.

In addition to getting the project started, we chose a local coordinator, David Galán, who is a counselor in the Stake Young Men Presidency. He will be great at coordinating events with the young men and women in the area, and he's excited to be helping with the program.

As far as our weekend activities in the area go, we have many options and are still determining the most exciting excursions possible. Over the past week I've gone swimming under waterfalls in both Cuenca and Quito, tried two different zip-line retreats over beautiful forests, seen one of the world's largest orchid farms, learned ancient weaving techniques, shopped in colorful local markets, and visited La Mitad Del Mundo (the center of the earth, or in other words the equator). I think I have the best job ever, even if my muscles are pretty sore from hiking. Whatever our activities turn out to be, they will be great fun, and the scenery is beautiful here.

I hope to see some of you soon in Ecuador.

-Sally

What happened to AYS?

2011-10-07T22:57:00.000-06:00

We know that many of you are wondering what happened to Alliance for Youth Service (AYS). We have good news- it's still here! We are the same organization as AYS, but with a new name and an improved structure. Why did we change? There are three main reasons:

1. The first is simple- there was mounting confusion with another non-profit based in Utah called Alliance Youth Services that provided addiction recovery services for teens. Since our program is very different from theirs, we figured that our name should be different as well.

2. The second is more complicated- over the past ten years we've developed into much more than an alliance of parents, volunteers, youth and non-profits. We are our own distinct and fully functioning non-profit organization, and as such we needed to make the appropriate changes to our structure. I'm very happy to be a part of that change as the new Executive Director and I'm thrilled to work with a long-time Humanitarian EFY participant, Mary Dewey, who is now our Program Manager.

3. And last but not least, we needed to move to Provo, UT so that we could work even more with the students from BYU. In addition to recruiting BYU students and graduates as our trip leaders, we are starting an internship program, particularly for students in the Youth Recreation and Management Program. But as a Harvard graduate myself, even though I do love BYU students, I hope that we also have success recruiting trip leaders from Harvard.

We know that many of you are worried that the program has changed along with our name, but we can assure you that your experience with Humanitarian EFY will be just as great as those you've had with AYS. Feel free to contact us anytime if you have questions- we love hearing from you.

-Sally