Milton Teen Eowyn Young launches Teen Survival Kits

“It is always the right time to do what is right”

Rev .Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

This is exactly what thirteen year old Pierce Middle School 8^th Grader, Eowyn Young, did. Realizing a need, she did something about it.

On November 15, 2018 I received an email from Founder and President of Teen Survival Totes explaining her youth-led Organization. I have known Eowyn for a few years now and her kind and gentle nature is evident in all that she does.

Blessed with a keen eye and compassionate heart, Eowyn became aware of the economic differences among families and specific peer struggles resulting from less advantaged economic situations. The school along with several donors and fundraising efforts multi-task to assist families, but some children still struggle to make the deposit or cannot succeed in covering the full amount. Conversation among her peers highlighted the strain some teens go through when trying to raise funds themselves for everyday items or special high ticket activities—namely the coveted 8th Grade school trip to Washington D.C. While some children’s families easily paid the deposit, children of other families were obligated to work or collect funds in creative ways to meet the deposit. From these conversations and connections with neighboring city groups, Eowyn learned that there are several teens who struggle with getting basic necessities. She spoke with her mom, Kellie, and inspired by her aunt, Jo-Ann McDonagh, who makes and sews the tote bags for marginalized populations throughout Boston, this teen based initiative was born.

The Teen Survival Totes, filled with essentials commonly needed by teens and young adults, will be distributed to youth not always able to afford the basic essentials and luxury items many take for granted. Reaching out to Milton and nearby communities, Eowyn made her first delivery of over a dozen bags to the Mattapan Community Health Center, where she met with awe-struck Director of Family and Community Health Services, Sharon Callender, who was blown away by her kindness and thoughtfulness. Bags filled with lotions, feminine products, beauty products, etc. Poised, as she was gracious, Eowyn Eowyn explained the eventual hope to have other teens involved in volunteering to sew, fill, and deliver the bags as a community based activity. She stated that she knows she is fortunate to have parents who can afford to grant her and her siblings their basic needs but understanding that not everyone is so fortunate.

Still in its infancy stage, Eowyn has already been invited to partner with another local program, but is looking to soon partner with other local organizations, schools, churches, etc. to serve in the role of confidential liaisons in an effort to quietly connect with teen youth recipients.

As a member of the Pierce Student Council, Eowyn was instrumental in the Annual Peace Walk last November , and together with friends, Priya Shaw and Bella Fiske, proudly and whole heartedly sang, “Imagine” by the late John Lennon. Yes, with compassion such as this the world can indeed be a better place. A talented and gifted young lady, who has also acted in professional theaters locally and in NYC, will once more dazzle on stage, when the Pierce Players come to live in the production of High School Musical Jr., opening at the Pierce on 1/17/19.

Yes, just like Martin Luther King said, “ It is always the right time to do what is right.” Eowyn is teaching us all that we All can make a difference.

To learn more about the organization or to offer assistance in any way, please contact

Eowyn Young at teensurvivaltotes@gmail.com.

Eowyn ended her email to me with the quote, “Be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud” -Maya Angelou.

On behalf of all the recipients at Mattapan Community Health Center, who were blessed over the holidays thanks to this kind gesture , Eowyn helped spread sunshine and clear away the clouds for so many.

Thank you Eowyn.

Elizabeth Thomas