Fountain Hills Branch Library is the recipient of one of NACo’s “100 Brilliant Ideas at Work.”

NACo (National Association of Counties) chose the local branch for its “Teens Giving Back” program. Heather Nelsen, teen services librarian at Fountain Hills Library implemented the program.

Teens Giving Back is a program where teens can earn community service hours as required by the local high school.

“When developing the program, we really wanted the kids to be invested in what they were going to do,” Nelsen said. “They came up with the things they wanted to do to give back to the community. Each month we focused on different things.”

The projects they chose included making tote bags for a domestic violence shelter, working with Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Fearless Kitty Cat Rescue, Fountain View Village and Home Delivered Meals.

Nelsen said Teens Giving Back will be a featured program next school year. The program runs from September through April. All teens are invited to participate.

The local library is one of eight Maricopa County entities given the award. All 100 winners will be showcased in an interactive, online publication released in July. NACo also will recognize the winners at its 2017 annual Conference and Exposition July 21-24 in Franklin County, Ohio.

“These brilliant ideas can serve as examples for counties across the country. Though no two of America’s 3,069 counties are exactly alike, many face similar challenges and can learn from one another’s ideas and experiences,” said NACo President Bryan Desloge.

The 100 Brilliant Ideas at Work are part of Desloge’s presidential initiative.