In a partnership with Chuen Nong Om, a local youth serving organization in Loei Province in Northeastern Thailand, over three hundred youth experienced complementary learning with the Brighter Thailand Foundation. Twenty older youth were involved in planning and organizing this community-initiated event. Partnerships with the local school and monks helped provide community initiated learning experiences for all youth.

The day began with a ceremony facilitated by the monks where fish were released as a symbolic act to promote local traditions, foster personal development for enacting good deeds, and showing respect for elders. This ceremony signifies youth development of Brighter Thailand Foundation's core values

Older youth mentored younger community members in the process of preparing the community gathering space for the evening events. While engaging in the preparatory work, youth learned about core values such as responsibility and perseverance. Some of the tasks included assembling donated items into gifts for youth, preparing som tom, and building the stage.

In the evening, government officials and community leaders presented medals for the youth that won from the sports events. Traditional Thai games and events were played. A dance show was held to build confidence among community youth. All emcee's were youth, speaking in front of hundreds of people. Thitnun Boonseng remarked, "often Thai youth do not have the opportunity to speak in front of this many people, it was a very warm and welcoming atmosphere with multiple generations in attendance. This event was remarkable in that local business was generated and community members became actively engaged in youth development." The event was so popular that vendors brought their food for community members to buy.

This New Year Event is an example of what we consider our "quick hit" in that we provide communities with a framework for youth development and quickly engage them in the process. We believe that events such as these empower communities to proactively consider youth needs. Fostering partnerships with community members in celebratory events allow Brighter Thailand Foundation to create awareness for the mission of spreading positive youth development throughout Thailand. These events provide community members with programmatic ideas for developing youth that are sustainable and grassroots initiated.