A WEEKLY PUBLICATION OF
Published for the Service and Service-Learning Field Since 1994
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January 28, 2010 - Volume 17 #4 - Circulation: 33,000
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YSA Supports 365 'Health Heroes' and 'Good Neighbors' With More Than $280,000 in Grants
Hundreds of schools and organizations across the United States launched youth-led service-learning initiatives last week. Youth Service America & State Farm Companies Foundation awarded $100,000
to support 100 youth-led service projects across the United States and Youth Service America & UnitedHealth Group provided 265 grants worth more than $180,000 to support
youth-led projects responding to escalating childhood obesity crisis. Youth Service America and UnitedHealth Group are supporting projects by awarding UnitedHealth HEROES service-learning grants designed to encourage children and youth to increase their own knowledge on this issue while empowering them to educate their communities about it. Naming young people as "first responders" to a crisis that directly affects them, HEROES grants challenge youth to impact their peers by serving as educators and advocates for establishing habits that include a healthy diet and exercise. Building on the success of last year's program, the reach of the HEROES grants expanded this year to include 35 states and the District of Columbia; more than 550 grant applications were received. Youth Service America and State Farm Companies Foundation recently awarded State Farm Good Neighbor Service-Learning Grants to 100 schools and organizations to develop youth-led service-learning projects in their communities. The young people's initiatives will focus on a variety of issues - including hunger, homelessness, education, and environmental sustainability - and many of them will follow YSA's Semester of Service framework that encourages students to spend at least 70 hours addressing meaningful community needs connected to academic standards. Many of these initiatives launched on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of
Service, January 18, and will culminate on Global Youth Service Day, April
23-25, the largest service event in the world. Learn more about YSA's grant programs, including programs currently accepting applications at www.YSA.org/grants |
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FEATURED STORIES
NEWS FROM THE FIELD
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Volunteering Up Amid Tough Economic Times
Americans have answered President Obama's call to service, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which reported a significant increase in the number of volunteers and the volunteer rate in 2009. According to the BLS report, 1.5 million more Americans volunteered between September 2008 and September 2009 than did in the previous year. Approximately 63.4 million people, or 26.8 percent of the population, volunteered through or for an organization in 2009 compared to 61.8 million in 2008. While previous studies have shown that young people lead in volunteer rates, in this study volunteer rates were lowest among persons in their early twenties (18.8 percent) and those age 65 and over (23.9 percent). www.nationalservice.gov/about/newsroom/releases_detail.asp?tbl_pr_id=1651
Service & Technology Academic Resource Team
Microsoft Corp. and the Corporation for National and
Community Service announced six schools - from California, Mississippi,
New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia - selected to
participate in the Service & Technology Academic Resource Team
(START). The initiative recognizes the leadership shown by youth and
teachers in schools across America who are working together in
meaningful ways to revitalize learning, schools and communities through
the use of technology.
START redefines the role of the student in the classroom and creates
a new kind of collaboration between students and teachers through
technology-focused service-learning. The goal is to utilize the
technology skills of students to partner with teachers and determine
where technology best fits into the learning environment. The selected
schools will receive grants and serve as national laboratory sites and
as examples of how schools can integrate service-learning and
technology into the classroom. As part of the partnership, the group plans to highlight best practices
nationwide for other schools to replicate and create a virtual
student-led help desk where students will support teachers and
nonprofit leaders using online, phone and onsite approaches.
Ideas for Change in America 2010
Change.org has launched the second annual Ideas for Change in America competition, an initiative to empower citizens to identify and build momentum behind the country's best ideas for addressing the major challenges we face. You can check out the site at www.change.org/ideas, where you can submit any idea you want to see implemented, discuss ideas with others, and vote on the top ideas from across the country. Ideas can be submitted within any one of 20 issue categories, ranging from the environment to homelessness to education. The top 10 most popular ideas will be announced at an event in Washington, DC in March and presented to relevant officials in the Obama Administration. We will then spend the following months mobilizing the resources of the Change.org team, our partners, and our 1 million community members to build a grassroots movement behind each idea. To submit an idea, go to www.change.org/ideas/post_idea
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SERVICEWIRE SCAN
GLOBAL YOUTH SERVICE DAY & SEMESTER OF SERVICE STORIES
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Denver Public Schools Host Seasons of Service Between MLK Day and GYSD
In honor of Dr. King's commitment to service, the MLK Breakfast will
also launch the Student Board of Education's "Season of Service."
Everyone in attendance will be invited to pledge volunteer hours
between MLK Day and Global Youth Service Day. Anyone who completes 20
service hours during the Season of Service will receive a certificate
of appreciation and be invited to a wrap-up breakfast on Global Youth
Service Day. http://communications.dpsk12.org/announcements/dps-student-board-of-education-to-host-mlk-day-breakfast
New Jersey After 3 and Enteprise Rent-A-Car kick off Semester of Service with Mulitple Book Drives Celebrating MLK Day
Overcoming Obstacles Led Burney to Community Service
Larry "L.B." Burney Jr. admits things haven't always been easy, but
his sunny disposition and determination have led him along the path to
success.
Born with cerebral palsy, the 28-year-old Kinston native never let his disability cripple his dreams. He will be working with local youth to coordinate a series of monthly
community service project that will culminate on Global Youth Service
Day on April 23-25. http://www.enctoday.com/news/overcoming-61596-kfpress-burney-service.html
Dilworth Middle School Launches STEMester of Service
Corporations Support Vermont Community Initiatives
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GRANTS & AWARDS
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2010 Project Orange Thumb Grants (Deadline: February 19)
Started in 2003, Project Orange Thumb® is a grant program that provides community garden groups with the tools and materials they need to reach their goals for neighborhood beautification and horticulture education. Community garden groups, as well as schools, youth groups, community centers, camps, clubs, treatment facilities, etc. are encouraged to apply. Grant recipients receive: Up to $1,000.00 in Fiskars® Garden Tools; Project Orange Thumb® t-shirts; and Up to $1,000.00 for other materials such as plants, seeds, mulch, etc. The deadline for application is February 19th, 2010. www.fiskars.com/content/garden_en_us/Garden/ProjectOrangeThumb/grantprogram Learn and Serve America Higher Education Grants (Deadline: March 9)
Subject to the availability of appropriations for fiscal year 2010, the Corporation for National and Community Service (the Corporation) announces the anticipated availability of approximately $7.3 million to award new Learn and Serve America Higher Education grants. Grants will be awarded to an estimated seven to nine individual institutions ranging from approximately $85,000 to $200,000 annually for a project period of up to three years, and an estimated seven to eleven consortia ranging from approximately $200,000 to $500,000 for a project period up to three years. The purpose of the Learn and Serve America Higher Education program is to support institutions of higher education that use innovative service-learning programming to meet the needs of local communities. www.learnandserve.gov/for_organizations/funding/nofa_detail.asp?tbl_nofa_id=76
EcoStar Grants (Deadline: March 16)
EcoStar Grants are now being offered to local communities
where Constellation Energy does business. Organization must be a 501(c)3 nonprofit, with a Board of Directors. Grant range is up to $5,000 each. The project must be located geographically within an area Constellation Energy does business (continental 50 states with the exception of AZ, GA, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, WY). Project should fit at least one of five environmental focus areas: Pollution Prevention, Education, Energy Efficiency, Conservation, and Community Activism. www.constellation.com
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PROFILES IN SERVICE
EVERYDAY YOUNG HEROES
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Kennedy Jet Kulish - Lancaster, PA
Kennedy started her very own project 6 1/2
years ago called "Kisses for Kaeden" to raise money for children with
special hearts and defects. To
date, Kisses for Kaeden has raised $92,000 for the American Heart Association, Make A wish Foundation,
Ronald McDonald House, and the Children's Miracle Network. Kennedy first started her
philanthropy service on behalf of her baby brother Kaeden who was born with a
severe heart defect and had to undergo numerous open heart surgeries before his
first birthday. Even after Kaeden's
full recovery, Kennedy continues to help in her community to assist other
children less fortunate in several different capacities.
On a monthly basis, Kennedy and
her team of "kisses" helpers that she recruits from classmates,
friends, scout mates and sport team mates, host bake sales, lemonade stands,
and canister drives throughout the year to raise money for Kisses for Kaeden.
Kennedy recruits other youths as well as adults from all over the community to
support her charity and volunteer their time for the cause. A resourceful young lady, Kennedy uses
the United Ways volunteer connection website to recruit strangers that are
interested in volunteering.
In addition to the support from
friends and the kindness of strangers, Kennedy engages community partners in
her efforts to raise awareness about heart disease. Three years ago, Kennedy
held a big block party where the mayor of Lancaster was the guest of
honor. The local radio station covered
the event and members of the local fire fighting squad came lend support to
Kennedy and her efforts to raise money for the children of Penn State Children's
Hospital. Kennedy engages the
community in her philanthropy work, spreading the word through articles in the
local papers and making hand made flyers which she posts in local businesses to
secure private and corporate donations. The local Walmart has been very
generous in letting Kennedy set her stands up and often matches what her team
raises up to a $1000.00.
Kennedy has shown a commitment to
volunteer service and educating her community about a disease that affects
many. For her efforts, we honor
her as one of our Everyday Young Heroes.
To nominate a young person who has improved their community through service to be recognized as an Everyday Young Hero, please visit www.ysa.org/awards/hero |
TOOLS, RESOURCES & RESEARCH
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Webinar on Building Civic Pathways for Non College Bound Youth - February 9th @ 3pm EST
About half of young Americans have never attended college. They are less than half as likely to vote and to volunteer as their college-educated peers. These youth have few opportunities to develop civic skills and interests. Drawing on a white paperpublished by Philanthropy for Active Civil Engagement (PACE) in October, 2009, An Inequitable Invitation to Citizenship:Non-College-Bound Youth and Civic Engagement, Jim Youniss, Professor of Psychology at Catholic University of America, and Peter Levine, Director of CIRCLE, The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement and Research, and research director of Tufts University's Jonathan Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service will provide the latest research on non-college bound youth and civic engagement. The speakers will suggest ways that civic and human services sector organizations can be part of the solution to greater inclusion of non-college bound youth, while at the same time enriching their own missions, creating future volunteers, social justice advocates, and engaged citizens. RSVP at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/613511355 Predicting Civic Engagement in Urban High School
Students
A new CIRCLE Working Paper (#69), presents findings from a study of the civic engagement outcomes of students in Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) in Louisville, KY. The study was conducted by Hugh McIntosh & Marco A. Muñoz. Using a large sample in an urban school district, the authors find that the most important predictors of youth civic engagement are community service, political discussion, and environmental conservation. Their research reinforces the claims that community service, discussion of politics, and non-sport extracurricular activities boost civic engagement. It suggests the potential value of environmental conservation, conflict resolution skills, and character education as additional pathways to civic engagement. To download the working paper, click here www.civicyouth.org/?p=366
In 2007, ICP published an issue of our Service as a Strategy series that examined the potential for engaging young people in post-conflict reconstruction efforts. Then, as now, we argue that young people are a powerful resource for rebuilding their communities following the cessation of conflict and in peace building efforts. Structured service opportunities represent a unique venue for reintegrating young people in war-torn communities, and for teaching them valuable educational and employment skills that they are too often deprived of learning due to the disruption of conflict settings. For this newsletter, we have built on the case studies in the 2007 Service as a Strategy: Post-Conflict Reconstruction report to examine peace-building and post-conflict youth service efforts by the African Union and in Afghanistan, Côte d'Ivoire, Lebanon, and Rwanda, and we share our conversations with experts in the field in these areas. We also highlight the Shinnyo-en Foundation's "Six Billion Pathways to Peace" initiative. http://www.icicp.org/ht/d/sp/i/1274/pid/1274
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SERVICE CALENDARS
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Trainings, Conferences & Events
PeaceJam Youth Conferences 2010PeaceJam hosts 2-day conferences around the USA that connect youth with Nobel Peace Laureates. Youth spend two days working side by side with the Laureate and hundreds of other youth, engaging in service, attending workshops, and presenting their own service projects to the Laureate. - Memphis TN: February 20-21 featuring Nobel Peace Laureate Shirin Ebadi from Iran
- Tallahassee FL: March 20-21 featuring Nobel Peace Laureate Rigoberta Menchu Tum from Guatemala
- Hartford CT: March 27-28 featuring Nobel Peace Laureate Adolfo Perez Esquivel from Argentina
- Houston TX: march 27-28 featuring Nobel Peace Laureate Shirin Ebadi from Iran
- Kalamazoo MI: April 17-18 featuring Nobel Peace Laureate Betty Williams from Northern Ireland
- Corvallis OR: April 24-25 featuring Nobel Peace Laureate Jody Williams from USA
- Minneapolis MN: April 24-25 featuring Nobel Peace Laureate Rigoberta Menchu Tum from Guatemala
- Denver CO: May 1-2 featuring Nobel Peace Laureate Jose Ramos Horta, President of East Timor
Learn more at: www.peacejam.orgConference Calendar: www.servicewire.org/conferencesIf you'd like your 2010 conference or event to be included, please e-mail the name, date, and location (city, state) of the conference to dmiranda@ysa.org with the subject line "NSB Conference." Include a short blurb/description of the conference and the website you want people to be directed to.
Seasons of Service
Black History Month (February)
National African American Read In (February)Schools, churches, libraries, bookstores,
community and professional organizations, and interested citizens are
urged to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month by
hosting and coordinating Read-Ins in their communities. Hosting a
Read-In can be as simple as bringing together friends to share a book,
or as elaborate as arranging public readings and media presentations
that feature professional African American writers. To be counted as participants, simply select books authored by African Americans, and report your results by submitting the 2010 African American Read-In Report Card. www.ncte.org/action/aari/packetinfoSeasons of Service Calendar: www.servicewire.org/seasonsofserviceIf you'd like your annual campaign/awareness event to be included, please e-mail the name, date, and location (city, state) of the event to dmiranda@ysa.org with the subject line "Seasons of Service." Include a short blurb/description of the event and the website you want people to be directed to.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK
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I don't know what your destiny will be, but the one thing I know; the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.
- Albert Schweitzer
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