Global Youth Service Day
Global Youth Service Day 2010 will be April 23-25
Established in 1988, GYSD occurs in over 100 countries each year and is the largest service event in the world. On GYSD children and youth address the world's most critical issues by partnering with families, schools, community and faith-based organizations, businesses, and governments. In 2010, the event will be April 23-25. Visit GYSD.org for more information, resources to plan events, and a map of GYSD events around the world!
Global Youth Service Day Goals:
Mobilize
- youth to identify and address the needs of their communities;
- organizations to provide opportunities for youth engagement;
- media and policy makers to promote and raise awareness of the youth service movement.
Support
- youth on a lifelong path of service and civic engagement;
- schools and organizations through training and technical assistance, grants, and resources that enable them to engage youth;
Sustain
- community improvement through year-round recognition of youth as problem-solvers and community leaders.*
Partnerships
State Farm Companies Foundation is the U.S. Presenting Sponsor for GYSD.
Youth Service America organizes GYSD through a series of partnerships that include over 75 US Lead Agencies, over 160 National and International partners, and local organizers in over 100 countries.
To view past projects and to register your 2010 project, visit www.GYSD.org.
What is GlobalYouth Service Day?
Global Youth Service Day, takes place second or third weekend in April and is a public awareness and education campaign that highlights the amazing contributions that young people make to their communities 365 days a year. As the largest service event in the world, it mobilizes millions of young people to address the needs of their communities, and educates the public, the media, and policymakers about the year-round contributions of young people as community leaders.
How did GlobalYouth Service Day begin?
In 1988, Youth Service America (YSA) and the Campus Outreach Opportunity League (COOL)
organized the first Global Youth Service Day, then called "A Day in the Life of Youth Service." Nearly 1,000 programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia participated. In 1990, YSA joined forces with COOL, the United States Conference of Mayors, the Weekly Reader, and the Jefferson Awards to celebrate the day. In the last decade, Global Youth Service Day - US has grown to include more than 90 National Partners, 50 Lead Agencies, hundreds of GYSD grant winners, and millions of young people nationwide.
Why is Global Youth Service Day a WEEKEND and not a DAY?
Originally, Global Youth Service Day was on a Tuesday, and then it was moved to a Friday and
Saturday to allow for schools and after school groups to participate. Jewish organizations then
approached Youth Service America to request a Sunday so they can participate. (Orthodox Jews
participate in the “Sabbath” from Friday through Saturday and cannot work during that time.) So now Global Youth Service Day is three days of celebration: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Who Participates in Global Youth Service Day?
Over the past thirteen years, Global Youth Service Day, originally National Youth Service Day, has brought to people in thousands of communities nationwide. NYSD grew to include over 50 National Partners and millions of young people nationwide. In 2000, the program expanded to include youth projects in over 27 countries for the first annual Global Youth Service Day. Last year, 117 countries participated.
What Happens on Global Youth Service Day?
Youth, businesses, families, schools, individuals and local organizations carry out activities that will serve and improve their communities. Millions of young people are introduced to volunteering on GYSD, and are inspired to begin a lifetime of service. Other Youth Service America Tip Sheets offer ideas for projects, as well as methods of youth organizing, and ways to recognize volunteers with awards and celebrations.
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