Students Learn to Give Back Through Loudoun Cares

Loudoun Cares’ sixth class of Claude Moore Community Builders graduated from the program earlier this month at the National Conference Center.

The Claude Moore Community Builders program trains high school students for volunteer service, places them with local nonprofits and coordinates group volunteer activities. Each participating child performs more than 100 hours of training and service during the ten-month program. During the past six years, 120 program participants have given more than 13,000 hours of service through 25 of Loudoun’s nonprofits.

“One of my greatest sources of inspiration and hope is these young people,” said Loudoun Cares executive director Andy Johnston, in a press release. “If all of us were as selfless and eager to serve, our world would be such a better place.”

The following students graduated from the program:

• Stephen Brager
• John Davidson
• Reid Frazier
• Amani Kirk
• Nikki Laird
• Juan Marin
• Andrew Melton
• Kathleen Mitchum
• Kara Newman
• Neha Onteeru
• Taylor Park
• Neelum Patel
• Caitlin Paul
• Camden Phalen
• Billy Pratt
• Toshali Randev
• Adbul Sheikhnureldin
• Luke Stup
• Nitin Sudini
• Ashley Walther

“Though it may be the wealthiest county in the nation, there is much need around us, need that is unfortunately often overlooked,” said Toshali Randev on the Loudoun Cares blog. “The CMCB program has opened my eyes to this fact, and it has forged me and fourteen other teens into industrious, aware and diligent youth.”

Other students offered similar sentiments.

“The eight months of volunteering has been a rewarding experience,” wrote Nitin Sudini. “From the group events at KLB to the 4H center, I had a blast. Most of all, working at my placement made want to go back and volunteer there even when it was over.”

The Claude Moore Charitable Foundation has partnered with Loudoun Cares and provided ongoing grant funding for the program.

In addition to the Community Builders program, Loudoun Cares, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, operates Loudoun County’s telephone helpline to which any Loudoun resident can call for health and human service questions and needs. Loudoun Cares also partners with businesses, foundations, the faith community and government to raise emergency assistance funds for low-income residents. Finally, Loudoun Cares is raising capital funds to develop the Loudoun Cares Nonprofit Center, 207 King Street, in Leesburg. Among the goals for the property is to provide affordable and stable office space for more than a dozen local nonprofits.  

The Claude Moore Charitable Foundation was established in 1987 by Dr. Claude Moore, a physician and Northern Virginia landowner who left most of his fortune in trust for the purpose of enhancing educational opportunities for young people throughout the Commonwealth and beyond.

For more information on Loudoun Cares and Claude Moore Community Builders visit www.loudouncares.org.