The executive board of Evesham’s Youth Advisory Committee was invited to participate in council’s May 6 meeting to be recognized for volunteering and other efforts in the community.
The committee was established in 2015 by former deputy mayor and councilwoman Deb Hackman for students in grades six through 12 who want to explore government, politics and community service. It offers a first-hand look at local government functions and enables members to spend a year volunteering for events that improve the town while earning required service hours.
Committee members also connect regularly with council and other officials and can hold multiple leadership positions within the group. They meet several times a month to plan township events.
“Now we have the great honor of these young individuals who do so much for our community here with our Youth Advisory Committee,” Mayor Jackie Veasy noted at the meeting.
“(Students in the committee) work together, mentor each other, have lots of fun, network and come up with amazing ideas (for fundraisers and events),” explained Deputy Mayor Heather Cooper, liaison to the youth committee. “They are going to be our future leaders that will hopefully come back here one day and serve here again and again in Evesham.
“It’s my honor to be with you guys,” she added. “I’m always so proud of you. Keep shining, keep rising and keep spreading that light.”
In addition to being honored for their volunteer work, committee leaders also observed and assisted with procedures at the council meeting. They were present as the year’s municipal budget was adopted, departmental reports were shared and public comments were heard from local residents.
Committee officers – including president Yesha Sethu, vice president Manas Vadlamudi, secretary Sughra Jafry, treasurer Nupoor Wajge and member at large Rithisha Parathi – were awarded certificates.
“I joined YAC around three years ago,” Sethu recalled. “I was new to this town. I didn’t really have any connections or roots planted yet, but the Youth Advisory Committee didn’t just bring me a way to volunteer and make a difference in town, it brought me family, and I’m so grateful for that.”
The committee welcomes new members at any time and volunteer opportunities are coordinated and monitored by the management team in the township.
For more information on the committee, visit the township website at www.evesham-nj.org/boards/yac.
