TEEN VOLUNTEER IN SIMI PLANS MISSION TO BRAZIL.

Byline: Alicia Doyle Daily News Staff Writer

Jennifer White is a youth with a mission.

The blooming philanthropist feeds the homeless at rescue missions, comforts the sick at Simi Valley Hospital and befriends those with life-threatening illnesses at the city's long-term care center.

``It may sound cliche or corny, but I want to make a difference,'' said Jennifer, a 17-year-old junior at Simi Valley High, who began volunteering in seventh grade. ``I just like to help people the best way I can.''

Jennifer will take her volunteerism to new heights this summer when she travels to Joao Pessoa, Brazil, on an outreach mission to minister to prostitutes, street kids and youths in prisons and orphanages.

Though helping others in a foreign country will be nothing like volunteering close to home, Jennifer says she is eager to meet her new challenge.

``I think it will be neat to do something like this,'' said Jennifer, who was accepted to go on the mission last month. ``I'm not really scared - God will take care of me.''

Jennifer is the only area teen-ager traveling this year with Youth With a Mission, a worldwide nondenominational movement of Christians dedicated to serving the needy, said Bryan Collins, who coordinates the group's short-term missions.

Founded in 1960 by Loren Cunningham and headquartered in Lindale, Texas, the nonprofit group draws volunteers for a spectrum of evangelistic activities, Collins said. Each year, about 30,000 volunteers carry out service projects in such areas as Romania, Haiti, Mexico and Hong Kong. About 9,000 volunteers work as full-time staff in more than 500 centers around the world.

In June, Jennifer and several other volunteers will take a one-week training course at YWAM headquarters in Texas before traveling to Brazil for two weeks, she said. In the meantime, Jennifer hopes to raise money to help pay for the trip.

So far, $1,822 has been raised toward her $3,000 journey, Jennifer said. Her youth group at First Christian Church of Simi Valley donated $500, and other donations have been collected by congregation members.

Raising enough money before she leaves in June will be difficult, Jennifer said.

``I don't like to ask people for money,'' she said. ``That's the hardest part.''

Jennifer began walking down the philanthropic path in the seventh grade, when she became involved with her junior high school youth group. Now an honors student at Simi High, the teen juggles her homework and social life while volunteering in the rehabilitation center at Simi Valley Hospital and helping the needy through Key Club, a youth group associated with Kiwanis. This week, she was honored for volunteering more than 100 hours at the hospital. Some day, she hopes to be a physical therapist.

Sue White, Jennifer's mom, says she isn't surprised at her daughter's dedication.

``When she was little, she always said she wanted to either be a model or a missionary,'' Sue White said. ``She changed her mind about being a model.''

CAPTION(S):

Photo

Photo: (Color) Simi Valley High School student Jennifer White, 17, seeks to travel to Brazil to aid the needy with the group Youth With a Mission. She still needs funds to cover the trip's cost.

Andy Holzman/Special to the Daily News