CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A North Carolina student and other teens are preparing to give back to families this summer in Belize. 

What You Need To Know

  • A group of North Carolina teens are giving back to families in Belize

  • The teens raised thousands of dollars for the international trip to Central America

  • The students say it's an opportunity to help those less fortunate 

Jade Smith is an upcoming senior at Charlotte Lab School. 

Throughout the year, Smith juggles a busy schedule filled with academic responsibilities, family life and extracurricular activities. 

But Smith says it's important for her to always make time to give back to others. 

"You'll always remember those experiences where someone has impacted your life," Smith said. 

This summer, Smith and a group of her peers are dedicating time to help those less fortunate, miles away in Central America. 

Smith is a student ambassador with the Young Black Leadership Alliance (YBLA). 

The nonprofit organization is helping young, college-bound Black students committed to being servant leaders in their communities.

Collectively, the teens raised thousands of dollars to travel on an international service trip to Belize. 

"Go on this amazing experience to really shift our perspectives," Smith said. "Help that community and see what it's like because I know over here in the United States it's so much different."

While in Belize, the ambassadors will be doing numerous service projects such as distributing shoes to children, providing meals and assisting with building a house for a family. 

Miracle Byers is also a YBLA student ambassador. Byers says she's looking forward to volunteering where her services are needed most.

"Going out internationally and helping people who I know don't have a lot or have as much as I do, makes me feel really good," Byers said. 

Data shows this type of volunteer work can be transformative for teens.

According to the YMCA, young people who volunteer are 50% less likely to engage in risky behaviors. Volunteering also improves youth workforce readiness and leads to academic success.

Smith says volunteering is also preparing her and other young people to be service leaders in their adult years.

"Just being a teenager doing it, it really touches me. [Some people say] 'wow - this how you spend your time?' Yes, this is something that is my passion," Smith said.

Related Stories