"Compassion in Action" is a fourteen minute documentary exploring the 2018 Heart of Gold Adventures trip to Nepal.The film was produced to build awareness of the work of the Maya Gold Foundation in Nepal, and focuses on a service initiative at the Shree Singha Devi Primary School in rural Nepal.
The Hudson Valley Writing Project, with the support of the Maya Gold Foundation, offered a teen writing program in July of 2018. The program offered time for teens to advocate for a more just world and explore important social justice issues.
Teens learned to research, write, and speak as agents of change and develop their individual and collective definitions of social justice. The final presentation is available for viewing here.
On August 3, over 40 youth and adults attended the gallery opening and teen presentations at The Bakery in New Paltz. "Images and Stories of Nepal" documents the spring 2018 teen trip to Nepal, Heart of Gold Adventures. The photos will be on exhibit through the month of August. Stop by to see the exhibit and purchase a framed print to support our work, and watch all of the teen presentations here.
Special thanks to David, Amelia, and all the Bakery staff for their support!
In support of its mission to empower local youth, the Maya Gold Foundation awards two Hudson Valley teens a $500 Community Service Scholarship each year. Teens can apply for the scholarships online to support their community service efforts, provided their work is aligned to the mission of the Foundation.
This year, Onteora High School juniors Sophia Roberts and Emily Peck were each selected to receive scholarships, based on their commitment to serving hospitalized youth in our community. Sophia and Emily will be working together on an initiative they co-created, the Independent Hospitalized Youth Reading Project. Both teens will be visiting children in local hospitals to read to them. At the end of each visit, the teens will be leaving the books with the youth they visit.
Sophia and Emily opted to use all of their scholarship funds to purchase the books, a true sign of their selflessness, generosity and altruism.
The Foundation Scholarship Committee was impressed with both Sophia and Emily and their articulate commitment to helping others through compassionate action. Both teens are working to help others by using their own passion for reading, and the scholarships are a recognition of their efforts. Sophia and Emily will be providing periodic updates to the Foundation on the progress of their work.
Community Service Scholarship recipients Emily Peck and Sophia Roberts.
Emily and Sophia reported that "We have extended our project to senior centers as well as children’s hospitals. We currently have three children’s hospitals in Brooklyn, one in Ulster County, and two senior centers in Brooklyn. We decided to partner with the Golden Notebook for the books. We’re currently working out all the logistics but it’s going very well!"
We are SO excited to be planning a fall lineup of events. Please mark your calendars and stay tuned for further details.
On August 26, 2018 Youth Ambassador Ariana Rodriguez will be sharing her Community Presentation with the public at the Gardiner Library at 6:00 PM. The talk is free and open to the public and we encourage all to atend.
On November 4 and 5, Charis Denison will be presenting two interactive workshops at the new Denizen Theater in New Paltz. The Sunday event is for teens only, the Monday event is for parents and community members. Please join us and share in the excitement as we welcome the Denizen Theatre to New Paltz.
On November 10 and 11, our friend Chet will be visiting from Nepal with Sadie Green, Director of Himalayan Children's Charities, (our partner in Nepal) and Bruce Keenan, HCC founder. Chet will share insights and stories about growing up in Nepal in the HCC community. Time and location to be determined, save the date.
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