Global Youth Service Day Marked in the U.S.

Communities around the world and nation will mark a 22-year tradition of youth service from April 23 through 25.
Global Youth Service Day Marked in the U.S.
4/20/2010
Updated:
4/20/2010
Communities around the world and nation will mark a 22-year tradition of youth service from April 23 through 25. According to coordinating organization Youth Service America, the Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) is the largest service event in the world. Service projects will focus on community improvement activities that highlight youth as problem solvers.

Youth from 5 to 25 are partnered with schools, community and faith-based organizations, media, and elected officials around the world. This year, Youth Service America awarded over $750,000 to schools, organizations, and youth in more than 25 countries for service and service-learning projects that culminate with GYSD weekend activities.

As of April 9, GYSD in the United States boasted healthy participation statistics, with all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia participating in over 1,100 registered projects. Governors from 22 different states issued proclamations to honor the young people.

Around the United States, activities are planned in areas such as Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and San Diego. D.C.-area students at King Elementary School will raise awareness about healthy eating and active lifestyles to fight childhood obesity. They will survey adults about eating habits, give healthy cooking demonstrations, and teach their peers physical exercises.

The Teen Advisory Council in Mount Vernon, Ohio will focus on technology abuse among teens with Tween Tech Safety workshops. The goal of the project is to prevent dating violence and bullying, and promote healthy online relationships.

A San Diego project hosted by Excel Youth Zone and Kids Korps USA, will bring thousands of young people from across southern California together for projects on environment and animal protection, health and human services, hunger and homelessness, and youth, education, and the arts.

Atlanta’s YMCA’s GYSD programs are also wide-ranging and include hundreds of student participants. According to the greater Atlanta YMCA, which is taking the lead on service projects throughout metropolitan Atlanta, over 100 community partners are collaborating with 1,000 young people, ages 12 to 25.

Projects include plans in six counties and partnerships with Habitat for Humanity, Hands On Atlanta, Flood Student Community Missions, area churches, temples and mosques, and government agencies. Projects and activities will include feeding the homeless, yard work for the elderly and indigent, community gardening with the Atlanta Community Food Bank, and other neighborhood service projects. For every project, the young people take the lead, deciding what problems they want to tackle, and how they can best serve their communities.