'The joy of serving': Students give back to Jeannette through Summer Blast program

Grace John of Jeannette concentrated intently as she scraped multiple layers of blue paint off a pavilion wall in Jeannette’s Altman Park.

A group of about 10 students gathered alongside her Tuesday to volunteer for Give Back Week with the Mosaic Community Development Center’s Summer Blast program. The group was preparing the pavilion wall for painting.

“It makes me feel good that I am helping my community out,” John, 13, said.

The nine-week, tuition-free summer program has been held for several years and offers fourth through ninth graders from Jeannette volunteer opportunities, field trips, social-emotional learning and more.

In 2021, the center became a nonprofit organization focused on education, workforce development and character building skills. Kelly Bender, executive director, said it’s to empower and elevate the next generation of leaders within Jeannette.

“Being able to focus on something outside themselves is an important lesson to learn,” Bender said.

From Tuesday to Thursday, the 45 students in the summer program will volunteer throughout Jeannette including organizing the community closet at McKee Elementary School, volunteering at Beverly’s PGH, scrubbing jungle gym equipment at Agnew Road Playground, working in the organization’s student garden, picking up trash and mentoring younger students as “Big Buddies” during the program’s Little Hawk Day event on Thursday.

The organization worked with city council, the fire department and the school district to prioritize community needs. The work coincides with areas the students already frequent.

“They’re going to see their work in action a lot of the times,” Bender said.

Bender also said, through these opportunities, the students get to know community leaders such as Michelle Langdon, a councilwoman for Jeannette and volunteer at Mosaic.

Langdon said the children are developing skills they might not be learning in school. Specifically with scraping paint from the wall, the kids got to learn how to use a tool properly and safely.

“They’re an inspiration to the other generations,” she said.

As music blared in the background and the camp leaders encouraged students, the paint on the wall was slowly but surely chipped away.

Daquan Collins, 14, of Jeannette said he was having fun completing the task and wanted to help make his and others’ lives better.

Annabel Nichols, 12, of Jeannette was glad she could give back to her community when they needed something.

“At first I thought it was going to be hard, but it’s helpful,” she said.

Although there were many lessons Bender wanted the students to learn, there was one she thought was the most important takeaway.

“I think the biggest lesson that I want them to learn is the joy of serving others,” she said.