Last May the Hispanics in Progress program only had 3 youth involved, now they have 28.  The youth get together every Tuesday to learn the importance of volunteering, responsibility and leadership.  They also volunteer to tutor the children that come into Catholic Charities for the Success By 6 program later in the evening.
           Throughout the summer the HIP youth group went on several fun and educational trips.  The kids traveled to Wichita for a Youth Summit on the risks and dangers of tobacco, at this summit they got to see the famous Truth Truck that explains what smoking really does to your body.  For fun they went to Worlds of Fun.  In order to go to Worlds of Fun the kids had to volunteer 35 hours, but many volunteered over 75 hours.
           The group also participated in a lock-in last August in order to plan a youth fair.  The kids will participate in another lock-in in October to plan the Smokeless Spooktacular House on October 29.  Spooktacular House will take place from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Catholic Charities, 425 W. Iron.
            "I have seen this make a huge positive difference in the kids," said Maribel Panuco, Catholic Charities Volunteer Translation Coordinator.  "We didn't think they would want to come, but they love to come every Tuesday."