The Ridgewood Teen Institute Program is a local program offering community service and participating in outreach programs. Michelle Stoffer has been the Teen Institute Program Director for over 10 years and considers the program important for both the community and the Juniors and Seniors who participate. She currently has 15 students engaged in the program. The Adopt-a-Pre-School Class is the first project the group has started this school year. This project lasts the entire school year and at least once a month the group will visit Mrs. Marquis’s pre-school class and help them work on various craft projects, or they may just spend time talking and playing with the kids in the pre-school class. Either way, fun is had by everyone! The group also organizes an Easter Egg Hunt in the spring for the pre-school class. Coming soon will be the next project Teen Institute will take on – making about 25 fleece tie care blankets and at least 50 gift bags for patients at the Gabrail Cancer Center in Canton. They will then take the items up to the center around Christmas. During their visit, they sing Christmas carols and distribute the gifts. Michelle also likes to organize a couple projects throughout the year depending on community need. These have yet to be established. When asked about the program, Michelle states “It’s a good thing and we have great students!” which says it all!