In order to earn the Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting,
Michaela O’Connell, a sophomore at Croton Harmon High School in Croton,
NY, came up with a project to help the residents of Susan's Place. Her
project, entitled “Housewarming for the Homeless," will equip residents
with a box of items to furnish their new apartment when they move into
permanent housing.
Michaela is a member of Croton Senior Girl Scout Troop 1234 which is
part of the Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson. Led by Troop Leaders
Regina Hertl, Stacey Herron and Susan Vierczhalek, she visited Susan's
Place for focus groups with residents to discover what items were needed
when they move into their own apartments.
Michaela rallied her community to gather the desired household goods.
She then recruited residents of Susan's Place to help her sort through
sheets, towels, pillows, laundry detergent and kitchen items. The items
were packed into a "house warming box," ready for…