One of Vision 2020’s core values is to leverage the assets in our community for the maximum results. A great example — Vision 2020 leveraged Austin’s youth by working with one outstanding group this summer, the Our Saviors Lutheran Church Summer Grunge youth.

Summer Grunge youth are students who have completed 5th-8th grades along with high school students serving in a junior leader role. Summer Grunge is coordinated by Marcia Pedersen, Director of Children Youth and Families at Our Saviors.

Marcia worked with Vision 2020 to bring Summer Grunge to work on three projects this summer:

Painting a home in the Community Home Improvement Program (CHIP) with Habitat for Humanity, Austin Housing and Redevelopment Authority and Vision 2020 Community Pride & Spirit.

Painting art over graffiti along the Mill Pond trail as part of the program replacing graffiti with art, a collaboration of the Austin Area Commission for the Arts, City of Austin Park & Rec and Vision 2020 Community Pride & Spirit.

Taking an inventory of existing bike racks in Austin as part of the Vision 2020 Bike-Walk Trail committee’s process to pursue the League of American Bicyclist’s ‘Bike Friendly’ designation.

The youth were a pleasure to work with and Vision 2020 volunteers found their enthusiasm and energy inspiriting.

Summer Grunge didn’t just work with Vision 2020. They completed over 1700 labor hours with Vision 2020, the Salvation Army and packing meals at Kids Against Hunger.

According to Pedersen, Summer Grunge was established about 15 years ago by the Tri Parish Catholic Youth and eventually became a program at Our Saviors. The idea was to expand service beyond traditional youth service trips to other communities and give youth a chance to serve in their own community. It’s amazing to consider all the ways our youth have served Austin over all those years.

Please join me in congratulating the Summer Grunge youth on serving Austin with their time and talents this summer.

Are you involved with a group looking to complete service projects in Austin? Contact me for information on Vision 2020 volunteer opportunities. I’m sure that there are many youth and service groups serving Austin just like Summer Grunge—all part of what makes Austin a great place to live, work and play.