Global Youth Services Day
What is Global Youth Service Day?
Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) is a special day in Arlington - Saturday, April 26, 2008 -- in which millions of youth in more than 100 countries engage in community service and service learning projects. The day spotlights the remarkable contributions young people make in community service throughout the year.
The Arlington celebration begins with UT Arlington's Youth Service Leadership Recognition Breakfast for nominees for the Sheris Growe Youth Service Leader of the Year. Next more than 1,000 young people in Arlington begin working on community service projects. Finally, all youth groups will gather for a City celebration at 3:30 pm in Vandergriff Park (2800 S Center Street) for food, entertainment and announcement of contest winners.
What are the Goals of Global Youth Service Day?
GYSD has three goals:
- 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.
Which Youth Groups May Participate?
Youth groups that complete community service and service learning projects are encouraged to participate. This includes but is not limited to the following:
- National Honor Society, Key Clubs, Builders Clubs, Student Congress, International Baccalaureate Program, and other related school clubs at high schools and junior high schools
- Faith-based youth groups
- Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Campfire, and 4H organizations
- Non-profit youth groups such as, YMCA Teen Leadership, Boys and Girls Clubs’ Keystone and teen groups
- Other youth groups chartered by an organization
What Honors are available for Youth-Service Organizations?
Arlington youth organizations that register to participate in the event may also compete in two related contests:
- The Sheris Growe Youth Service Leader of the Year Contest (Required)
- The Best Service Project of the Year Photo- Short Essay Contest.
How Should Youth Groups Get Started?
- You are encouraged to attend a Global Youth Service Day Workshop that will accomplish the following for you:
- Provide a quick and easy path to follow when applying for GYSD
- Explain how to obtain various mini-grants to support your project
- Provide suggested projects for consideration
- Tell about contests that will help honor group members and activities
- Adult Leaders are encouraged to register their youth group for a workshop by sending an e-mail to gysd08@sbcglobal.net that provides the following information:
- Name of Youth Group (i.e., Arlington HS Key Club, etc)
- Name of adult leader, day and night phone numbers, e-mail address
- Name and e-mail address for each youth member that will attend (max of 3 recommended).
- What are the workshop dates, times, and locations?
- Mon., Feb. 11th: Summit HS, 3:30 pm to 5 pm; Hostess City Councilmember Sheri Capehart
- Wed., Feb. 20th: Arlington HS, 4 pm to 5:30 pm; Hostess City Councilmember Lana Wolff
- Mon., Feb. 25th, Bob Duncan Community Center; 4 pm- 5:30 pm; Host and Hostess City Council members Mel LeBlanc and Kathryn Wilemon
- Tues., Feb 26th, Arlington City Council Chambers, City Hall; 4 pm to 5:30 pm; Host City Councilmember Robert Rivera
- What are the application deadlines? You are encouraged to get your basic application in early so you have plenty of time to prepare the material for the two contests.
- March 12th: Preferred deadline with special benefits
- April 4th: Final date for late applications
- April 14th: Applications for contests (Sheris Growe Youth Service Leader of the Year; Best Service Project of the Year Photo-essay contest)
- What are the events on GYSD April 26th:
- UT Arlington’s Youth Service Leadership Recognition Breakfast at 8:00 – 9:00 am at First United Methodist Church (313 N. Center St. @ Division)
- Youth groups work on their community projects
- All youth groups assemble at 3:30 pm at Vandergriff Park (2800 S Center Street) for City celebration.
- All groups are asked to report the following information to gysd08@sbcglobal.net prior to May 9th:
- Name of group
- Number of youth and adults participating
- Number of service hours used to complete the project.
- Demographic breakout of average age, gender, and ethnicity
Who Sponsors the Event?
The Arlington Alliance for Youth (AA4Y) has received a $2,000 grant and travel money to serve as Youth Service America's Lead Agency for Arlington. The AA4Y organizes the event through a community-wide steering committee made-up of both adults and youth. Individuals serving on this steering committee are (click here).
The Arlington Chamber of Commerce Foundation will provide a $100 mini-grant for all youth groups that have an approved application.
- Applications received and approved by the preferred deadline of 12 March will receive their grant following a March 12th Chamber Foundation Board Meeting during a 5:00 – 6:00 pm reception for youth groups. The adult leader for the youth group and one youth leader are encouraged to attend this reception, meet their business mentor, and receive their mini-grant.
- Late applications (adult leader) will be instructed on how to receive their check by e-mail.
The University of Texas at Arlington sponsors the Youth Service Leadership Recognition Breakfast on April 26th to honor all nominees for the Sheris Growe Youth Service Leaders of the Year.
Arlington Parks and Recreation Department hosts the celebration at the Vandergriff Park
How Can Arlington Youth Groups Register to Participate in GYSD?
While this application must be submitted by an adult youth group advisor, youth members are encouraged to do all of the preparatory work. Some of the steps should include the following:
- Review the information needed for the application by visiting the registration form at (click here). Also review the requirements to nominate a member of the group for the Sheris Growe Youth Service Leader of the Year, and to enter the Best Service Project of the Year Photo Short Essay Contest.
- The first task is to find a project that your group can do on that Saturday. Please check this list of suggested projects: http://ysa.org/GYSDUS/ProjectIdeas/tabid/182/Default.aspx.
- Before you can apply to participate in Global Youth Service Day you should do the following:
- Discuss your project with the agency, organization, or person you wish to help and get their official approval to complete the project
- Determine if youth must be older than a specified age, have a parental release form, or be coordinated by a designated adult.
- Determine who your group will nominate for the Sheris Growe Youth Service Leader of the Year Award (Required)
- Determine if you have a photo from your best service project and if your group wants to enter the Best Service Project of the Year Photo Short Essay Contest (Optional)
- Ensure your adult adviser approves of your selections and the final applications and contest material.
- Submit your registration for Global Youth Service Day using the web form prior to March 12th if possible. Late registrations will be accepted through April 4th.
- Prepare and mail the following items immediately after you submit your registration or NLT April 14th:
- Mail your nomination for the Sheris Growe Youth Service Leader of the Year Award (Click for instructions.)
- Mail your entry in the Service Project of the Year Photo Contest (Optional) (Click for Instructions.)
Note: Mail the above items to:
Arlington Alliance for Youth
c/o Jim Walther
2910 Duff Drive
Arlington, TX 76013
