Hello, my name is Joey Schoene. I am a senior at Wayne Central High School in Ontario, New York.

I spent the last year serving on NYAC, the National Youth Advisory Council for Catholic youth through NFCYM. Over the summer, our council traveled to Ghana to see the work of Catholic Relief Services. When we visited the refugee camp in Tarikom, we saw families living in very hard conditions. Many slept in small tents that were torn and crowded. None of the tents had floors. When it rained, people slept in mud.

For my senior project, I am studying humanitarian aid. Everyone in my class picks a product that connects to their topic. I chose to focus on the families we met in Ghana. I am raising money to build raised platforms for the camp. These platforms lift people off the ground and help keep them dry, warm, and clean. The work also offers jobs for residents in the camp to help them get back on their feet!

Your support helps families who need direct relief. Thank you for reading and for any help you can give both, not only money but prayers too.

-Joey Schoene