Now in its third year serving teenage girls in a facility on East 17th Street, the New York Junior League New View committee seeks to empower young adults in the Good Shepherd Services program by providing support to their health and welfare through strong mentoring relationships.

In November 2016, Good Shepherd Services hosted a Thanksgiving dinner for the young women residing at E. 17th Street and their families. Often the holidays can be an especially difficult time for these adolescents who live in a transitional environment. Thus, our community partner extended an invitation to the New York Junior League New View volunteers to also attend this special dinner, so residents whose families were unable to take part would still see a friendly, familiar face. The event also afforded an opportunity for mentors and mentees alike to break bread together and give thanks.

Caitlin Behrens, Vice Chair of the NYJL New View East Side committee, shared that “it was great to be included in such an event—to see the support these girls are provided by the NYJL and Good Shepherd is truly overwhelming. At an event like this, it was our chance to relax a little. Whether that was meeting some of the girls’ families, or acting as a stand-in for family photos because others weren’t able to have family join them, I consider us lucky to be welcomed by such an amazing group of girls.”

It is truly wonderful to see the impact New York Junior League volunteers have on these young women, the bond is definitely strong. It’s safe to say that these extraordinary young women positively impact the volunteers as well and that’s something to be truly thankful for.