by Melissa Chaiken | Section Editor
I am privileged to participate in two remarkable organizations that allow me to engage meaningfully with my children while instilling the value of philanthropy in them.
My son and I, who is now 16, engage actively in a local chapter of the Young Men’s Service League (YMSL). Founded in 2001 by two mothers in Plano with a vision for a collaborative organization, YMSL unites moms and their high school sons to support those in need in their community. Now a nationwide entity, YMSL has a governing Board of Directors that oversees and encourages the growth of its chapters across the United States. The organization aims to “assist, serve, and support those who are in need in our community, develop leadership skills among our members and strengthen mother-son relationships.” It is structured as a four-year program commencing in the boys’ 9th grade year.
During our three years with YMSL, my son and I have had the pleasure of connecting and collaborating with diverse community members. We have cherished experiences such as preparing and serving meals for the homeless, aiding at Special Olympics swimming and softball events, constructing a fence for a play area at a family resource center, and providing after-school help at the Boys and Girls Club, among many others.
Apart from its philanthropic focus, YMSL holds numerous meetings throughout the year where the boys are taught to conduct formal meetings according to established rules. These gatherings often feature guest speakers addressing various themes like personal finance management, the hazards of impaired driving, essential life skills such as changing a tire, doing laundry, and preparing straightforward meals, as well as discussing the risks associated with Performance Enhancing Drugs.
Since its inception in 2001, YMSL members have accumulated over 100,000 hours of community service.
My 14-year-old daughter and I are also in our third year with a local chapter of the National Charity League (NCL). Established in 1925 and incorporated in 1958 in Los Angeles, NCL is recognized as one of the nation’s most prestigious and esteemed mother-daughter organizations. Today, it boasts over 55,000 members—moms and their daughters in grades 7 through 12—spread across 23 states. The mission of NCL is to “foster mother-daughter relationships in a philanthropic organization dedicated to community service, leadership development, and cultural awareness.”
Through our time in NCL, my daughter and I have been fortunate to prepare meals for families at the Ronald McDonald House and support day camps for the siblings of young patients. We have also taken part in the Friday Night Friends program, which a local church organizes to offer care for children with special needs, allowing their parents to enjoy a well-deserved night out. A cause close to our hearts is Shoes for Orphan Souls, associated with Buckner International, which distributes new shoes to at-risk children in the U.S. and orphans in 68 countries. We love spending time sorting, bundling, and packing shoes at their warehouse while including encouraging notes for the children.
The NCL experience profoundly impacts lives by motivating and empowering women to become confident, well-rounded, and socially conscious contributors in their communities. NCL members collectively volunteer about one million hands-on hours each year in various local initiatives.
As a parent, it brings me great joy to share these experiences with my teens. I hope that once they have spread their wings, they will carry forward the legacy of giving back that we have nurtured during these years.
