Arlington’s Heritage Team Program Offers Youth Volunteer Opportunities, Scholarships

By Carol Weemes

Posted on February 27, 2019, February 27, 2019

As Black History month is reaching month’s end, Arlington Animal Services is busy ramping up for a new group of teens to participate in the upcoming 2019-2020 Heritage Team program.

This educational program, founded in 2014 by Animal Services Manager Chris Huff, boosts volunteerism at the animal shelter. A diverse group of junior high and high school students volunteer their time and gain knowledge about black heritage and history.

“I have become very fond of working with the Heritage Team, said Huff. “It is very rewarding interacting with this age group while watching them mature during their year of service.”

The program concludes the year with a contest where each student in the program chooses a heritage leader, or legendary event, to present research and information to the group. Presentations are rated on professionalism, accuracy of content on the subject matter, and quality of the delivery of the presentation.

Previous winners presented on Frederick Douglass, Positive Tupac, George Washington Carver, and Jesse Owens. Each of these students were awarded scholarship funds totaling almost $1,500 for the winning presentations.

Zoee Ivory, pictured above, presented at Arlington’s Black History Month Festival this year. As a senior this year, she plans to continue to volunteer with Arlington Animal Services and serve as a mentor to the students in this year’s Heritage Team program.

This program supports the Arlington City Council priority to Support Youth and Families and builds a synergy between Animal Services, the Heritage Team and the community.

Registration for the 2019-2020 Heritage Team Program begins on the first of June 2019. Those currently in junior high or high school interested in joining the Arlington Animal Services Heritage Team should email [email protected], or call 817-459-6269.