Linden Student Launches Community Card-Making Program at

Linden teens at the Linden Public Library are making handmade cards for hospitalized children through a youth-led program founded by student Roxy Yataco Lopez. She launched a local chapter of Cards for Hospitalized Kids at the library, bringing together local students ages 13 to 18 every Friday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. to create handmade cards for hospitalized children, including general encouragement cards and holiday cards.

The program operates in partnership with the Linden Free Public Library. Registration is required on the library's events calendar. Students who participate can earn volunteer service hours for attending the events.

Yataco Lopez saw an opportunity to bring the program beyond a school setting and create something that could serve the entire local community. "I saw a huge need—a place where students could connect, be creative and make a difference without having to commit every week," she said. "I wanted it to be something bigger than just my school and something the whole community could take part in."

While many student-led Cards for Hospitalized Kids chapters are created within schools, Yataco Lopez's vision was to build a community-based program accessible to all local teens. Her approach makes volunteering flexible, allowing students to participate when they can without requiring ongoing weekly commitment.

Library Director Joshua Melissari praised the program's impact on both the community and the students themselves. "We have been so pleased to see students come together each week, not only to create these cards, but to build connections with one another," Melissari stated.

FAQ

Q: What is the Cards for Hospitalized Kids program?

A: Cards for Hospitalized Kids is a student-led community service program at Linden Public Library founded by Roxy Yataco Lopez. Teen volunteers create handmade cards for hospitalized children, including general encouragement and holiday cards.

Q: Who founded this program?

A: Roxy Yataco Lopez, a student in Linden, founded the local chapter of Cards for Hospitalized Kids at Linden Public Library.

Q: What ages can participate?

A: Local students ages 13 to 18 are invited to participate in the program.

Q: When does the program meet?

A: The program meets every Friday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Linden Public Library.

Q: What do volunteers do in the program?

A: Volunteers create handmade cards for hospitalized children. These include general encouragement cards and holiday cards designed to bring cheer to children in the hospital.

Q: How do I register?

A: Registration is required on the library's events calendar. Contact Linden Free Public Library for details on how to access the events calendar and register.

Q: Can I earn volunteer hours?

A: Yes. Students who attend can earn volunteer service hours for their participation.

Q: Why did Roxy Yataco Lopez start this program?

A: According to Yataco Lopez, she saw a need for a place where students could connect, be creative, and make a difference without having to commit to attending every week. She wanted to create something bigger than a school-based program that the whole community could participate in.

Q: How is this program different from other Cards for Hospitalized Kids chapters?

A: While many student-led Cards for Hospitalized Kids chapters operate within schools, Yataco Lopez intentionally created a community-based program accessible to all local teens, making volunteering flexible and open to the wider community.

Q: Does the library support the program?

A: Yes. The program operates in partnership with Linden Free Public Library. Library Director Joshua Melissari stated: "We have been so pleased to see students come together each week, not only to create these cards, but to build connections with one another."

Q: What is the impact on students?

A: The program provides students with an opportunity to combine creativity and community service while building peer connections with other volunteers.

Q: Can I participate if I can't attend every week?

A: Yes. The program is designed to be flexible, allowing students to participate when they can without requiring ongoing weekly commitment.