Photographs by William Taufic.
We all hear the complaints about teens these days: They’re self-absorbed, tech-obsessed, spoiled. They likely are overscheduled with sports and overburdened with homework. Any extra time goes to texting and Facebook. Well, Jenny Cespedes is here to save the reputation of today’s youth.
This seventeen-year-old Greenwich High School senior certainly is busy: She’s an A/B student, plays basketball (she’s captain) and volleyball, and spent the past year supporting her mom through a battle with cancer. Yet, almost every day, Jenny finds time to volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich (BGCG), where she is part of the Keystone leadership club for teens. “During the school year, I’m there for two or three hours every day. In the summer, I’m there three full days a week,” says Jenny, who has been going to BGCG since she was five. “I help kids with their homework, play on the field with them or in the game room. Every day it’s different.” And every day, it’s rewarding. “When I started volunteering, I realized I didn’t mind not being paid,” continues Jenny. “I loved being around kids, and it makes me so happy, knowing that I’ve done something to help them. I joined Keystone and started doing community service around town.”
Jenny and her peers have organized a hygiene goods drive for homeless citizens. Jenny also serves food at the club’s Thanksgiving feast and happily flips pancakes at benefit breakfasts. She won’t stop there. “I’m really into psychology and health,” says Jenny regarding potential careers. “I’m planning to do a lot of volunteer hours at the hospital to see if it’s what I really like.” As a member of AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) at her school, Jenny feels prepared for the future and grateful for the guidance and support she gets from the program.
“Anyone who crosses Jenny’s path is lucky to have the opportunity to meet her,” comments Melissa Hawkins, Jenny’s Keystone advisor. The Keystone group even helps out far from home. “On a trip to Texas, we were asked to build a garden from scratch,” explains Jenny. “We put in the mesh and literally had a production line of people carrying bricks and dirt. It was an amazing experience.”
For anyone who doesn’t think that sounds like fun, Jenny advises: “You should try something you wouldn’t normally do. In Texas, I did things I wouldn’t usually do in Greenwich, and I felt so good afterward.” In other words, put down that cell phone and pick up a shovel. You just might find a better connection.