"It is just an honor to help out and give back to the community." These are the words Gabe Medina of Longmont lives by. It all started with Medina's grandmother. She told him, "Always reach for your dreams and help those around you."

Medina took those words to heart and now volunteers for Boulder County Youth Alliance's Sharing Achievement for Student Success (SAASE). This program helps "less likely" candidates enter college; they also present information on scholarships, and plan community events.

"The biggest sense of accomplishment," Medina says, "is seeing students who have been raised differently realize that they can have the opportunity to go to college."
Medina isn't done making a difference. He has also worked with the Longmont Sister Cities and Longmont Youth Council which helps homeless teens. He is attending college to work as an international teacher and plans on being involved in the community for many more years to come.

For information about volunteering with Boulder County Youth Alliance or other agencies, call the Volunteer Connection at 303-444-4904.