Youth Advisory Council

Youth Advisory Council

"Being a part of the YAC is like being a piece in the puzzle. All the YAC members are different, but we all bring ideas and opinions to the table."

What is the Youth Advisory Council?

The YAC is a structured opportunity for high school students to serve in a leadership capacity within KHK, lending youth voice and perspective to our organization.

What do members of the YAC do?

The YAC meets on a regular basis (at least twice a month) to plan upcoming projects and quarterly ambassador meetings. Members of the YAC represent KHK at public relations events and demonstrate initiative, responsibility, and commitment to the core values of KHK.

Who is on the YAC?

Biyeni Eusebio, Age 17

Lauralton Hall, Senior in High School

Hello, my name is Biyeni Eusebio, and I have been with Kids Helping Kids for six years. My favorite Kids Helping Kids project is the Handled with Care Dress Boutique because I love how this project can help other people feel as excited for dressy occasions as I do! Before my time with Kids Helping Kids, I was never the person who would do things outside of my comfort zone, but now I am always trying my best to be outside the box. I have also learned how to work with many different types of people to try and solve a common goal using our diverse ideas. If you have any questions about the Handled with Care Dress Boutique, KHK in general, or the YAC, please email me at yac@kidshelpingkidsct.org

Ellie Donohue, Age 16

Westhill High School, Junior in High School

Hello, my name is Ellie Donohue, I have been with Kids Helping Kids for about 8 years now. My favorite project is probably the Pumpkin Bread Bake because we get to be apart of almost every step of the process, from packaging the individual loafs of bread to selling it around Stamford and in other surrounding towns. Being with Kids Helping Kids has given me the opportunity to grow as a person and learn very valuable skills I will be able to use in the future. One of the things that I am most grateful to Kids Helping Kids for is my public speaking, because of Kids Helping Kids I have been able to expand my public speaking ability, and I am now much more confident in front of crowds.

Ava Maubert, Age 17

Westhill High School, Senior in High School

My name is Ava Maubert, and I have been with Kids Helping Kids for seven years. My favorite project is the annual Bread Bake because it is such an interactive experience. Through my work with Kids Helping Kids, my ability to work with others and speak publicly has improved. I have learned how to share my ideas with a large group of people in a way I didn’t know how to prior to joining KHK. If you have any questions or just want to talk, please contact me at yac@kidshelpingkidsct.org.

Kayla Rocha

Greenwich Academy, Senior in High School

My name is Kayla Rocha, and I have been with Kids Helping Kids for about ten years. My favorite KHK project is the Gift of Giving because I love to take the kids shopping and give them the opportunity to give gifts to their families. Since joining KHK, I have become much more comfortable with speaking to a big group of people and sharing my ideas. I was very shy, but Kids Helping Kids has taught me that if I speak up, I can make a huge difference. If you want learn more about the Gift of Giving or the YAC, you can email me at yac@kidshelpingkidsct.org

Abby Guilfoyle, Age 17

Lauralton Hall, Senior in High School

Hi, my name is Abby Guilfoyle and I have been with Kids Helping Kids for six years. My favorite KHK project is the Thanksgiving Pumpkin Bread Bake and I usually sell over 100 loaves every year. This cornerstone project is very interactive and it is a great starter project for new members of KHK as it works on public speaking, leadership, and working together as a team. Kids Helping Kids over the years has given me confidence in public speaking and it has made me so many new friends. If you have any questions about the organization, new ideas you want to incorporate, or anything else that comes to mind, email me at yac@kidshelpingkidsct.org

Elizabeth SanFilippo, Age 16

Lauralton Hall, Junior in High School

Hello, my name is Elizabeth SanFilippo, and I have been involved with Kids Helping Kids for six years. My favorite project is the Gift of Giving. I love it because it is a great way to give back to the community by helping other pick out gifts for their family members around Christmas time. Through this and all the projects at KHK, I have been able to learn to communicate with others. If you want to hear more about me, please email me at yac@kidshelpingkidsct.org.

Micaela Rivera, Age 18

Sacred Heart Greenwich, Senior in High School

My name is Micaela Rivera, and I have been with Kids Helping Kids for about three years. My favorite Kids Helping Kids project is the Gift of Giving because I really enjoy the holiday season, so I love watching the children have an opportunity to enjoy and celebrate too. A skill I have gained while working with KHK is accountability. In the YAC, I am partly responsible for making sure all of our cornerstone projects and ambassador meetings run smoothly. When I am given a task, it is important that I follow through on my responsibilities because I have a group of people depending on me. If you want learn more about the YAC, you can email me at yac@kidshelpingkidsct.org.

Alice Onorio, Age 17

The Ursuline School, Senior in High School

Hello, my name is Alice Onorio, and I have been with Kids Helping Kids for 7 years. My favorite project is the annual Gift of Giving because it is such a great way to kick off the holiday season. I love to take the kids “shopping” and to help them pick out gifts for their family. It is a very rewarding experience and a fun activity for everyone who is involved. Throughout my time at Kids Helping Kids, I have learned to step out of my comfort zone and to use my voice to help others. I am so thankful to be part of such an amazing organization! If you have any questions about getting involved with Kids Helping Kids, or the YAC, you can contact me at yac@kidshelpingkidsct.org.

Amelia Stone, Age 15

Stamford High School, Sophmore in High School

Hello! My name is Amelia Stone and I have been with Kids Helping Kids for seven years. My favorite Kids Helping Kids Project is the gift of giving, as it truly reminds us how important it is to spread holiday cheer and happiness with everyone! Throughout my time with Kids Helping Kids, I have gained so many skills, broadened my horizons, and developed important leadership skills such as talking in front of large crowds of my peers. Now, as a member of the YAC, I can’t wait to do even more for this amazing organization.

Gabby McGlone, Age 16

Greenwich High School, Junior in High School

Hi! My name is Gabby McGlone and this is my fourth year at Kids Helping Kids! KHK helped me develop great leadership skills such as problem-solving and working well with others. My favorite event is The Handled with Care Dress Boutique. This event is so fun to set up and participate in. It’s so exciting to help girls find the perfect dress for them!

Sophia Camodeo, Age 16

Greenwich High School, Junior in High School

Hello, my name is Sophia Camodeo, and I have been with Kids Helping Kids for four years. My favorite Kids Helping Kids project is The Handled with Care Dress Boutique because I love how this event puts smiles on kids faces and they are able to have such a beautiful dress for their special occasion. Before my time with Kids Helping Kids, I was very shy and hated public speaking. Now I am able to lead groups and let my voice be heard. I have also learned how to work with others and take responsibility.

Kaitlyn Pepa, Age 16

Stamford High School, Junior in High School

Hi, my name is Kaitlyn Pepa, and I have been a part of Kids Helping Kids for five years. I am the lead ambassador of Volleyball Club. My favorite project is the Gift of giving project. Getting to help children excitedly pick out presents for their family and surprise them always makes me happy. Through being a part of KHK, my confidence has increased, my public speaking has gotten better, and I have become overall more selfless and motivated to help others. If you have more questions about my time with KHK, please email me at yac@kidshelpingkids.org

Gerard Spooner, Age 17

Regis High School, Senior in High School

Hi, my name is Gerard Spooner, and I have been with Kids Helping Kids for a little over a year now. I am the lead ambassador of our Tech Time program, in which I help children learn the basics of Scratch Coding through fun, interactive projects. With these classes, I hope to inspire those who I teach to share their own passions with the world. I love seeing their creativity and problem-solving skills come to life as they code their amazing games. During my time with KHK, I have become a much more organized and flexible planner, as well as a charismatic leader. If you have any questions about me or my time with KHK, please feel free to reach out to me at yac@kidshelpingkids.org.

Waverly Walters, Age 15

New Canaan Country School, Freshman in High School

Hello! I am Waverly Walters. I have been involved with KHK since 2nd grade. I am a 9th grader at New Canaan Country School, and I am thrilled to be a part of YAC. I have become a more confident public speaker and collaborator through my time volunteering with Kids Helping Kids. My favorite projects are Handled with Care Dress Boutique and The Pumpkin Bread Bake. I love taking photos at the dress boutique because all of the participants are excited to be there and have fun. My brother and I started the Film Crew to document KHK’s events in video and photography. Please contact me if you want to help with the film crew.

YAC in Action