Twins Zonita (Nita) and Zorita (Rita) are outgoing and involved 16-year-olds, thanks to the support from Waite House, run by Pillsbury United Communities, a United Way partner agency.

The twins love volunteering at a nursing home and connecting with the residents. They also do yard work and other chores for seniors living independently.

The Waite House service opportunities introduced Nita and Rita to issues outside of their neighborhood. They've traveled to the annual National Service Learning Conference (held in New Mexico this year). They've also visited Mexico and communicated with non-English speaking students through pictures.

Pillsbury United Companies encourages youth involvement by allowing them to lead. Nita and Rita helped plan several community benefits like the hip-hop one for Global Youth Service Day. And each service activity helps their resume—and helps earn money for college through a savings program.

Nita and Rita feel lucky for being involved with Waite House and are excited to start college in a couple years.

United Way’s Agenda for Lasting Change focuses on 10 measurable goals in our three focus areas: Meeting Basic Needs, Supporting Health and Independence and Nurturing Children and Families. One goal is reaching an additional 15,000 youth through quality out-of-school time programming by 2012.

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