News: Local High Schools Rally to Raise Awareness and Support the Homeless in Loudoun County

(Apr. 12, 2010) - The Good Shepherd Alliance Youth Committee held their 1st Annual Heart for the Homeless Music Fest on Saturday that attracted students from all high schools across Loudoun County in a common cause to help those in need in the community.

The idea of the Good Shepherd Alliance to partner with the youth and schools in Loudoun County started in the spring of 2009. The Board of Directors of the non profit Good Shepherd Alliance had a vision of tapping into the youth community to get them involved in the GSA's mission to help the homeless and those in need in Loudoun County.

Enter high school seniors Mandy Girolami from Briar Woods and Abby Chapelle from Loudoun County HS. After an extensive interviewing process of upper classmen from the majority of Loudoun County High Schools. Both Mandy and Abby were selected to serve one year BOD memberships working with guidance from Good Shepherd Alliance Youth Director Steven D'Argenio.

States Mandy, "Being given the opportunity to work with the GSA this year has really opened my eyes to so many things. I think that's why I found it so important to get more youth involved in what the GSA is doing. We worked very hard to create ties in every school and by doing that I think we were able to create something new for the GSA program. I hope that concerts and fundraiser's with the youth is something they continue to do throughout the coming years so that more students and more students can get the chance to participate."

Mandy and Abby worked during the fall of 2009 in developing GSA clubs in several of the high schools that resulted in successfull fundraising and social awareness events. One such event was a Bake Sale held at the sold out Broad Run vs Potomac Falls High School boys basketball game held in February.

The youth fundraising and social awareness events also helped spread the enrollment of the GSA Youth team in less then one year from just Abby and Mandy to include students and clubs at Broad Run High School, Dominion High School, Briar Woods, Loudoun County and Potomac Falls.

One such student on the GSA youth committe Broad Run freshman Erika D'Argenio states, "the idea of the youth in the community setting an example for adults in raising awareness and much need funds for the less fortunate in our community is what got me and my friends involved with Mandy, Abby and the GSA. Their is no greater joy I am finding out at my young age then to held others in need".

All of this youth passion shared by the growing youth members led to a joint fundraising and social awareness event at Founders Hall in Ashburn called the "Heart for the Homeless Music Fest" on Saturday night April 10th. The event featured highly popular local high school bands "Something Graceful", "Mercury in Summer","Sauce" and "The Grafs".

To learn more how your school can partner with the Good Shepherd Alliance Youth team, contact Steven D'Argenio at 703-989-0140 or at nvflag@sprynet.com