Building Character, Compassion, and Confidence
One of the primary reasons men become Masons is to give back to the community in a meaningful way – and what better way than to get involved with youth? Masons teach youth the value of donating time, and role modeling moral, ethical behavior. As a Mason you’ll be shaping the character of tomorrow’s leaders. – RW CARY COHN, PAST CHAIRMAN
Masonic Youth Organizations in New York State
Masonic Youth Group Located in State of New York, for girls ages 10 through 21 years old. A character building, service oriented sisterhood that builds a foundation for its members to develop the life skills of leadership, citizenship, public speaking, teamwork, confidence, and self-esteem. Promotes “A Finer American Womanhood”. Girls Perform Rituals about The 3 Angles (Lessons) of Duty to God, Duty to Others, and Duty to Self (crown)
www.ootny.org
Kristina Turri – trianglestatedirector@
DeMolay is a youth-serving organization for young men ages 12-21 with chapters in New York and around the world. Empowering youth to lead and run their own organizations under the guidance of caring adult mentors, DeMolay provides young men with valuable leadership skills in a fun and safe environment. DeMolay members do not need to be related to a member of the Masonic Fraternity.
www.NYDeMolay.net
Peter Brusoe – PWBrusoe@gmail.com
Service-based Masonic Youth Group for Girls ages 10 – 21. Pledges can be 6 – 10 years old, and does not have to be the daughter of a Mason. Girls Perform Rituals around The 7 “Bow Stations” of Love, Religion, Nature, Immortality, Fidelity, Patriotism, & Service.
GET INVOLVED WITH OUR MASONIC YOUTH GROUPS
There are many suggested activities for youth in your local communities, including …
LODGE PROGRAMS
- Annual “Father and Son or Daughter” or Family Dinner
- Invite DeMolay, Rainbow, and The Organization of Triangles to conduct Family Night programs
- Take kids to a Shrine Circus
- Host an Easter Egg Hunt, Halloween party, or Holiday Party for underprivileged children
- Hold a school talent show in your Lodge hall
ACTIVITIES
- Organize a Bicycle Rodeo
- Coach a sports team, and have your Lodge or District underwrite the team’s uniforms and equipment
- “Keep Kids Safe Day,” Child ID and car seat training
- Conduct essay contests in local schools
- Permit youth to use your Lodge rooms for meetings – Scouts, Masonic Youth, etc.
- Invite youth in for Lodge clean-ups and reward them with lunch
ACTIVITIES WITH MASONIC YOUTH
- Visit children’s hospitals, VA hospitals, or shut-ins
- Involve in reading programs for the elderly or the blind
- Adopt a highway
- Help a day care center
- Provide holiday gifts for needy children
- Organize collection drives for clothes, coats, books, eyeglasses, etc.
- Volunteer at soup kitchens
- Develop recreational or environmental projects
- Support Meals on Wheels or similar groups (with time and money)
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
- Support Masonic Youth Organizations through the Masonic Brotherhood Fund
- Donate money or materials to youth summer camps and day care centers
- Provide assistance to local Scout troops; basketball, soccer, hockey, lacrosse leagues; or 4-H clubs
- Create high school and college scholarships
- Donate funds to the homeless, especially families with children
- Sponsor a child at Camp Turk
- Sponsor a high school “drug-free” graduation party
- Challenger donations for Little League
FUNDRAISING PROJECTS
- Work with youth to raise funds for local chapters of the Red Cross, March of Dimes, Cancer Societies, Cerebral Palsy, Salvation Army, hospitals, ambulance corps, Ronald McDonald Houses, etc. Also consider financing the signage for Drug-Free zones, defibrillators for ambulance corps, and bulletproof vests for local police forces.
- Host potluck dinners, spaghetti suppers, or pancake breakfasts
- Solicit donations of equipment for local schools, hospitals, children with disabilities.
- Sponsor a Sports Night, and send donations to the Police Athletic League