Delilah Johnson of Little Compton, winner of a Metta grant.

LITTLE COMPTON — Her volunteer work with the My Brother’s Keeper group has earned Bishop Stang High School junior Delilah Johnson of Little Compton a $1,000 Metta Students Foundation award. She is the group’s 31st recipient.

“Reliable, enthusiastic, and a leader are the words used to describe 17-year-old Delilah Johnson of Little Compton,” says Bishop Stang.

Delilah is a member of the school swim team and serves as secretary of the JuniorNational Honor Society. In addition, she volunteers two to three times a week after school at My Brother’s Keeper. To date, she  has logged nearly 500 hours of service.

“Each time she goes to volunteer, she tries to bring along another student to introduce them to the organization,” the school said. It is this “drive and dedication” that inspired Nicole Dias, director of guidance at Bishop Stang, to nominate her for the grant.  

“Delilah is the most reliable student volunteer and has taken on a large leadership role at a young age,” Ms. Dias said. “Delilah currently serves as the student service coordinator for My Brother’s Keeper at Bishop Stang and sets a wonderful example for her classmates with her enthusiasm for their work and mission. With a staff of only three people, My Brother’s Keeper relies on local high school students like Delilah to carry out their mission of bringing love and hope to those they serve. Delilah is incredibly organized and she has found creative ways to keep track of student volunteers.”

“I look at my role as a way to promote love and kindness,” Delilah said. “I never want to force students to volunteer — I always want to encourage students to get involved with My Brother’s Keeper for the sake of experiencing the mission and living out their faith. In addition, I have organized a linen collection (sheets, blankets, etc.) for My Brother’s Keeper at my school.”

My Brother’s Keeper is a Christian ministry in the Southeastern Massachusetts area that delivers furniture and other items to families in need.

Norm Kelly, founder of Software Quality Associates in Providence, created the Metta Students Foundation in 2012 after learning of one teen’s act of kindness towards another teen. “Metta means love and kindness,” he sad,. “The common denominator with all of our Metta Students is their compassion, unselfishness and dedication to others. Each is unique, but they all want to make the world a better place.”