Full transcription available at http://heartsofgoldpodcast.com/ Leila shares the story behind her Girl Scout Gold Award project, "Growing As You Grow Older," which centered around providing social interaction and increased mobility for elderly individuals in her community. Motivated by her grandmother's isolation during the COVID pandemic, Leila organized bi-weekly gardening meetings where participants engaged in hands-on activities such as pressed flower crafts and ornament decoration. With volunteers' help, Leila spread awareness through interviews, meetings, and an Instagram page. She also reflects on the challenges faced during the project, such as adapting to COVID restrictions and ensuring the project met the criteria for the Gold Award. More from Leila: I am a rising senior at Sage Creek High School in Carlsbad, California. Since completing my Gold Award I have had the opportunity to spread my journey to podcasts, and am an upcoming speaker at San Diego Girl Scouts Gold Award Conference. I am involved in school clubs such as Key Club, National Honors Society, and Biomedical Club. In addition, I enjoy giving back to my community alongside my mother-daughter philanthropic group, NCL, as I achieved 400+ community service hours. Currently, I spend my time dual enrolled at a local community college to outsource unavailable classes at my school while maintaining my bakery job. I plan to study public health, pre-medicine, or biomedical engineering in college. Links: https://www.instagram.com/growingasyourgrowolder Key takeaways from the episode: 1️⃣ The Power of Personal Experience: Leila's deep connection to the medical field stems from her own experiences with medical issues. Having been through countless hospital visits and procedures, she has developed a strong passion for making a positive impact in this field. Her personal journey has fueled her desire to help others and create change. 2️⃣ The Importance of Support: Leila emphasizes the significance of having a strong support group during challenging times. She acknowledges that pursuing a project like the Girl Scout Gold Award requires dedication and hard work. However, with the right support system, the effort pays off, and the impact on the community and individuals involved is immeasurable. 3️⃣ Overcoming Obstacles: Leila's project took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, which presented unique challenges. Despite the lockdowns and restrictions, she found innovative ways to engage with the seniors she was helping. Through remote meetings and providing activity kits, she encouraged them to stay active and involved, even from the comfort of their own beds. Her determination and adaptability in the face of adversity are truly inspiring. Share this show with your friends on Twitter. Click to have an editable already written tweet! https://ctt.ac/33zKe Sign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3rx06pr Join our Facebook Community https://www.facebook.com/sherylmrobinson/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sherylmrobinson/?hl=en Please subscribe to Hearts of Gold on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/sherylmrobinson or on your favorite podcast app. Support future Hearts of Gold episodes at https://www.patreon.com/heartsofgold Editing by https://www.offthewalter.com/ Walter’s YouTube channel is https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt0wFZRVaOpUd_nXc_8-4yQ