Global Youth Services Day
What is Global Youth Service Day?
Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) is the largest youth service event in the world with millions of youth in more than 100 countries engaged in community service and service learning projects. Arlington's celebration is on Saturday, April 24, 2010, and spotlights the remarkable contributions our young people make in community service throughout the year. Twenty (20) or more coalitions with over 3000 youth are expected to participate. Listen to last year's youth groups tell their story (click here).
This year we are pleased that UT Arlington's Big Event will be partnering with us to present one of the largest community service events of its kind in North Texas. Over 800 students, faculty and staff will be helping non-profits throughout the area with various service projects. UTA’s Big Event is expected to be the largest Coalition participating this year.
Coalition Partners are major organizations such as schools, religious denominations, scouts, non-profits, environmental, or government in Arlington and AISD that wish to encourage our youth in community service. Normally one youth group will help form and lead their coalition, recruiting other youth groups, keeping everyone informed, providing PR for their project, providing two members for the City's steering committee, and encouraging everyone to attend the City's "Thank You" Celebration. Coalitions will receive a grant of up to $300 to support their coalition's project. (Click here for details on starting a Coalition)
Youth Groups: are encouraged to rally around their organization's theme and/or project by helping plan, raise funds, and complete their portion of the project. Groups may order the official Arlington GYSD T-shirt with their group’s name on it when attending the March 27 Steering Committee meeting. Each youth group is encouraged to also nominate one member of their group for recognition in Arlington’s Youth Service Leader of the Year contest. Each nominee will be honored at UT Arlington's Youth Service Leadership Recognition Breakfast on April 10th. All youth groups must register by March 24th.(Click here.)
Goals for Global Youth Service Day:
- To mobilize youth to identify and address the needs of their communities through service and service learning.
- To support youth on a lifelong path of service and civic engagement.
- To educate the public, the media and policy-makers about the year-round contributions of young people as community leaders.
Key Participation Dates for Global Youth Service Day:
- February 24 (Wed.): All coalitions must submit Pledged to Lead (Click here)
- February 27 (Sat): First Steering Committee meeting & Coalition Leader Training
- March 24 (Wed): All participating youth groups must be registered (Click here)
- March 27 (Sat): Second Steering Committee meeting; Sheris Growe Nominations are due; Donation letters for matching grant are due; Grant checks to Coalition Leader.
- April 10 (Sat): All youth service leader of the year nominees are honored at UT Arlington Service Leader Recognition Breakfast
- April 24 (Sat): All Coalitions and participating youth groups complete projects on that day; and attend the City's "Thank You" lunch and awards celebration at noon.
Global Youth Service Day Sponsors:
We appreciate Youth Service America's role in organizing this event in the United States. A very special thanks also goes to the State Farm Companies Foundation, the presenting sponsor for Global Youth Service Day.
Our major local sponsors that want you to succeed include:
- Arlington Alliance for Youth
- Arlington Independent School District
- The University of Texas at Arlington, Student Affairs Division
- City of Arlington
- First Rate Inc.
- Star-Telegram
Note: If you or your organization would like to become a major sponsor or sponsor a coalition in your neighborhood, please contact us (click here).
