239. Creating Lifetime Humanitarians: Inside Youthlinc's Journey

"As we give them opportunity to look outside themselves and help them understand that, oh, there's more to life than the inward focus, there can also be this beautiful space of outward focus."

-Justin Powell

 

Welcome to Turmeric & Tequila! Today, host Kristen Olson sits down with Justin Powell, executive director of Youthlinc, a Utah-based organization dedicated to developing lifetime humanitarians through local and international service projects. Learn about their impactful nine-month service year program, the new community center, and strategic international partnerships. Justin shares his journey from volunteer to leader and discusses the crucial role of service in mental health and community building. Discover how Youthlinc is shaping the future of humanitarian work, their goals for expansion, and exciting opportunities like their upcoming Friends and Family trips to Fiji and beyond. Whether you're interested in volunteerism, non-profit operations, or making a positive impact, this episode is packed with valuable insights and inspirational stories. Tune in and find out how you can get involved! Thanks to our sponsors Lux Neuro and Declan James Watches for their support. Let’s dive in!

Time Stamps:

00:00 Fitness Fundraiser and Neurofeedback Sponsor

03:38 "From Volunteer to Program Leader"

07:20 "Local and Global Service Initiative"

12:43 Youth Training Center Expansion

15:59 Fundraising: Donations, Grants, and Drives

18:03 Conflicted Life Choices

20:39 Youth Program Sparks Personal Growth

24:20 "Life Skills Through Sports"

28:26 Partnership with Fiji's Education Ministry

31:17 Building Effective NGO Partnerships

34:26 Fostering Honest International Collaboration

36:36 Shifting Perspectives in Youth

40:03 Collaborative Competition for Growth

44:39 Learning and Self-Discovery Journey

47:56 Board's Role in Youth Link's Direction

50:43 Explore Our Nonprofit Initiatives

53:13 Subscribe to Turmeric and Tequila

Justin Powell, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Justin has been involved with Youthlinc since 2008 when he joined the Thailand team as a mentor.  Since then, he has been on a total of 19 Youthlinc trips, including a multi-time team leader to Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Rwanda, Peru, Kenya, Fiji, Cuba, and Madagascar.  He has lived abroad for several years, including Australia, South Korea, Egypt, and Vietnam. He started Youthlinc’s Global Communi