Emily, a Girl Scout Ambassador from Burlington, noticed a lack of programs for residents of Bedford Green, a permanent supportive housing community for veterans. In response, she decided to create programming that supports skill development in three key areas: social, cooking, and technology.

Emily started by converting the storage room into a game room. The renovated room includes a pool table, ping pong table, foosball table, electronic dart board, board games, jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, magazines, radio, CDs, furniture, and artwork. This space now functions as a safe and comfortable place for residents to socialize together.

Emily taught cooking lessons based on Ina Garten’s family-style cookbooks, and provided copies of the books to the residents. She also taught technology classes, after which she created and distributed technology resource sheets that give step-by-step instructions for completing technological tasks. A member of the Shawsheen Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School National Honors Society will continue to teach the cooking and technology classes.

“Many young women my age are afraid to stand up for what they believe in. Girl Scouts has given me the confidence and practice to lead a group, share my opinion, and let my voice be heard,” Emily says. “I will be forever grateful for the experience that Girl Scouts has given me because I feel prepared for the future. It has led me to try new things, gain confidence, and be a leader, and because of what I have learned, Girl Scouts has readied me for success.”

Emily is a leader who is making sustainable and important change in her community!