PALM DESERT – Youth in Riverside County are not asking what you can you for them this season. Instead, they are asking what they can do for others.
The Riverside Youth Advisory Council – District 4 is hosting its Second Annual Clothing Driving this holiday in the parking lot of the Fourth District office of Supervisor V. Manuel “Manny” Perez in Palm Desert from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8. The supervisor’s office is located at 73-710 Fred Waring Drive, Suite 222 in Palm Desert.
The Youth Advisory Council is seeking articles of clothing for those in need this holiday season. All clothing must be in good condition, no undergarments, accessories or household goods.
The items collected will be donated to a Coachella Valley shelter, to be determined by the Youth council. Depending on the amount of items donated, two shelters will be selected.
“This clothing drive is part of the great work, spirit and mission of the Youth Advisory Council, which helps our communities through service events and community service projects,” Stephanie Virgen, Supervisor Perez’s Human Services Liaison told Uken Report. “High school students serving on the Youth Advisory Council create and participate in up to four service/community projects each month to participate in. Last year, students in the Fourth District Youth Advisory Council gave more than 1,000 hours of community service.”
Virgen, who oversees the Youth Advisory Council program for the Fourth Supervisorial District, Last year’s clothing drive during the season was so successful that youth wanted to do it, again.
“This clothing drive is organized by the Riverside County Youth Commission, so it is a countywide drive involving Youth Advisory Councils from other supervisorial districts in Riverside County,” Virgen said. “In the Fourth District, a local hotel generously contributed many items that were donated to the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission.”
Since 2017, the Rescue Mission has seen a 47 percent increase in the number of individuals and families experiencing a housing crisis and who are in need of emergency services, including 24-hour shelter access, clothing, meals, showers, and hygiene products.
“Supervisor Perez feels it is important to work together to do as much as we can and especially to help those in need this holiday season,” Virgen said.
The Fourth District Youth Advisory Council (YAC), comprised of student representatives from public and private high schools from Palm Springs to Blythe, identifies youth related concerns and issues within the Fourth District throughout the year, not just the holiday season. It also takes on community-enhancing activities which often involve senior citizens. Each of the five county districts appoints one member to serve on the combined County of Riverside Youth Advisory Commission.
