SEEKONK — Superintendent Rebecca Kidwell and Principal Alexis Bouchard are proud to announce that Hurley Middle School eighth grader Grace Goudreau is representing Seekonk Public Schools as the district’s Ambassador for Project 351, a statewide youth-led service initiative.
Grace, 14, of Seekonk, joins eighth grade representatives from each of Massachusetts’ 351 cities and towns for a year of leadership development and community service.
On Saturday, Jan. 25, Ambassadors gathered at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston for Project 351’s annual Launch Day. They were joined by Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler, and other community leaders for a day of inspiration and volunteer service.
This year, Project 351 celebrates its 15th year with a collective social impact on more than 1.4 million lives. Project 351’s annual Launch celebration honored the legacy of civil rights leaders Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King.
During Launch Day, Grace and her fellow Ambassadors participated in several service projects, such as assembling wellness kits for newborns and distributing food to families in need, including poor families and recent immigrants. She described Launch Day as an inspirational experience.
“It was very inspiring to be at Launch Day because I got to be around more people like me who want to help out the community and make an impact,” she said. “My favorite memory was doing all the community service to help people that are less fortunate than us. I was also able to build new friendships and connections with fellow Ambassadors.”
Wearing their signature navy T-shirts, other ambassadors were mobilized to help provide service at partner sites, including Brighton High School, Cradles to Crayons in Newton and La Colaborativa in Chelsea. In total, the day of service helped more than 34,000 community members.
The day concluded with a celebration at the JFK Museum. The Ambassadors enjoyed food from a grilled cheese bar, a popcorn bar, and a punch station. The Ambassadors gathered there reflected on their efforts and were told about how many lives they impacted through their day of service — thousands in just a few hours.
The Launch Day celebrations kicked off 12 months of leadership development through Alumni mentorship and enrichment through Project 351’s Service Leadership Academy. Through Project 351, Ambassadors develop the skills and confidence to mobilize their hometowns in service campaigns that address critical issues, including hunger, clothing insecurity, and educational equity.
Looking ahead, Grace hopes to focus on certain causes, such as helping children afflicted by poverty.
“The cause I am most interested in is children in need of help due to poverty,” she said. “This topic is important to me because I feel that all children deserve to have opportunities and the ability to be comfortable and confident no matter the financial issues. Some ways that I want to help children suffering from poverty is by collecting canned goods, clothing, and toys to allow them the ability for a more enjoyable life with the basic resources needed.”
Grace said it was an honor to be chosen as a Project 351 Ambassador for Seekonk Public Schools.
“I think being a youth leader is very important and I’m excited to be able to help more people in the community and spread more kindness,” she said. “I am excited to have the tools and steps to help lead and spread love in my community.”
Principal Bouchard applauded Grace and spoke about the potential for her role as Ambassador to promote meaningful service opportunities back home in Seekonk.
“Not only is Grace gracefully representing Seekonk on a statewide level, but she’s also bringing back what she’s learned to make a difference in our own community,” Principal Bouchard said. “We’re proud of her for leading with kindness. And we look forward to seeing the impact on our community during her time as an Ambassador and beyond. We wish her success in this new role.”
Throughout the 15-year history of Project 351, the youth-led service program has enlisted 5,588 youth Ambassadors, including many eighth graders.
“Project 351 is powered by the idealism and ideas of eighth grade change-makers,” said Project 351 Founder and Executive Director Carolyn Casey. “We celebrate the transformative good made possible when we unite in common cause. And we uplift the values they stand for — kindness, compassion, and respect for the dignity of all.”
Superintendent Rebecca Kidwell thanked Grace for her youth leadership efforts.
“We are incredibly proud of Grace for representing Seekonk with compassion, kindness and dedication,” Superintendent Kidwell said. “I have no doubt that Grace will take the many lessons and experiences from Project 351 and use them to make a meaningful impact in our community.”
About Project 351
Founded in 2011, Project 351 is a youth-led movement for change powered by an eighth-grade unsung hero and high school Alumni mentors selected to represent every city and town in Massachusetts. Youth are recognized by hometown educators for an exemplary ethic of service; values of kindness, compassion, humility, and gratitude; and devotion to equity and inclusion. The Ambassadors’ 12-month term of leadership development and service is the foundation of Project 351’s leadership model. High school, college, and career Alumni steward Project 351’s mission and model of impact as mentors, program leaders, and governance. Through the 35ONE enrichment continuum, a new generation of leaders develops the skills, knowledge, and courage to achieve bold change. Click here for more information.
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