Emily Horvath, 18, a Senior at Ursuline Academy of Dallas, recently completed her Girl Scout Gold Award by making the library at Johnsons Outpost, a more inviting place for young readers. For her project, Emily gathered over 1200 books, sorted them by reading level, color coded each level and reorganized the existing space at Johnsons Outpost.  Johnsons Outpost is a facility operated by Town North YMCA providing child care to families with need.  The TOWN NORTH FAMILY YMCA is dedicated to strengthening the foundation of community. It is about the coming together of community spirit. We exemplify our mission "to put Christian values into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all".  With a commitment to nurturing youth development, energizing healthy living, and inspiring social responsibility, Town North Family YMCA ensures every individual has access to the essential needs to learn, grow, and thrive. For over 55 years, our shared passion is to strengthen the foundation of our community. 

Emily has been a member of Troop 485 for 11 years and says the program has helped her develop skills in leadership and organization but it's most significant impact has been in helping her understand that anyone can make a difference in their community. Realizing that the needs at Johnson's Outpost were greater than the scope of her Gold Project, Emily reached out to a local builder' association and was able to enlist their members to donate time and supplies for significant improvements to the facility.  

The Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can earn, combines leadership development, career exploration and community service.  It culminates in an 80 plus hour leadership project that each girl plans and executes according to her own interest and passions. Each girl must discover an issue in the community, connect with experts and community members, and take action to effect positive change.