Incredible Leadership Opportunity For Youth in the US & Canada

The Youth Service America National Youth Council is a diverse group of young people from the U.S. and Canada that advise YSA in its programming, direction, and evaluation. The council serves as a catalyst for youth service movement by participating in projects that promote youth voice, youth leadership, and youth-adult partnerships. Applicants must be between the ages of 12-22 and live in the U.S. or Canada. To request an application packet, contact Daniel Hatcher, adviser to the NYC at dhatcher@ysa.org. To learn more about Youth Service America, visit http://www.ysa.org

Completed application packets must be received by Monday March 10, 2008 (5 PM EST).

The Disney Minnie Grants GYSD 2008 (U.S. and International Applicants)

The Walt Disney Company and Youth Service America are excited to announce grants of up to $500 to support youth-led service projects. These grants support youth (ages 5-14) in planning and implementing service projects in their community. Teachers, older youth (15-25), and youth-serving organizations are also eligible to apply, if they engage younger youth (5-14) in planning and implementing the project. A significant part of the service must take place on GYSD 2008, April 25-27. We encourage youth to address important issues such as climate change, malaria or other diseases, human rights, literacy, or others. Applicants can use the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as a reference.

Applications are welcome from all countries. While information is available in: Spanish, French, Russian, Chinese, and Hindi, applications will be accepted in English only (an online translation tool is available at the YSA website). Applicants from China, India, and Russia are especially encouraged to apply. Past Disney Minnie Grantees are also eligible to apply.

Questions? Email MinnieGrant@ysa.org. Deadline: January 21, 2008. We are excited to introduce an electronic application, now available online at www.YSA.org/awards. Be sure to download and review all application materials.

Do you have big dreams for your community? The Case Foundation is launching a pilot grants program that could turn these dreams into reality.



The Make It Your Own Awards ™ , a new initiative from the Case Foundation, launching (launched) on June 26, 2007, is about giving grants, tools, and recognition to people who are coming together to discuss what matters, form solutions, and take action. Twenty semi-finalists will each receive $10,000 grants to start bringing their ideas to life. Four final grant recipients will then be chosen by the public using an online voting system. These finalists will each be awarded an additional $25,000 grant.



The Make It Your Own Awards came about in response to research showing that many people feel disconnected from public leaders and institutions and don’t believe they have the power to make a real difference in their community. These findings were the reason for a paper released by the Case Foundation last fall, Citizens at the Center: A New Approach to Civic Engagement, suggesting that if people are actually going to become and stay engaged in their communities, one thing has to happen first: They must have more chances to connect with one another (including those with whom they might disagree), and figure out how they can work together for the common good.



This kind of “citizen-centered” approach represents a subtle, yet powerful, shift that encourages people to create new spaces where they can come together, become connected to each other, and make a difference as a community working toward a common vision and real action.



All applicants welcome, ages 14 and up.

Application deadline: August 8th.



To learn more and apply today, click HERE

Check out this great document on "Making Youth Voice A Community Principle."

CLICK HERE

Sisters won't let Katrina, New Orleans be forgotten: Girls organize benefit for hurricane victims

“The Power of One,” the latest campaign by CMT’s (Country Music Television) pro-social initiative, CMT One Country, urges CMT viewers to get involved in their community through civic participation and volunteerism. CMT One Country is reaching out to CMT fans to let them know about the opportunity to get involved with National & Global Youth Service Day (April 20-22, 2007) events all over the country. CMT One Country also rewards volunteers for making a difference in their communities by giving them the opportunity to win rewards from CMT. If you want to learn more about CMT One Country and how you can win rewards for the good work you already do, go to www.CMTONECOUNTRY.com.

STILL TIME TO APPLY FOR THE KOHL’S KIDS WHO CARE PROGRAM

The Kohl’s Kids Who Care scholarship and recognition program is an annual opportunity to recognize and reward children (ages 6 to 18) for volunteering. Young volunteers are recognized at the local, regional, and national levels. This year Kohl’s will recognize more than 1,600 kids at the local level and award over $200,000 in scholarships. In addition, Kohl’s will provide a $1,000 grant to a non-profit organization on behalf of each national winner. To learn more, visit https://www.scholarshipamerica.org/i-applications/kohls/

Encourage your younger sibiling to apply!

USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO MARKET SERVICE TO YOUTH

The Washington D.C. Commission on National & Community Service (Serve DC) has recently launched a National & Global Youth Service Day (N & GYSD) “You Tube” video to promote N & GYSD. You Tube allows users to upload videos for free and share them with the world. The video titled “Bringing Service Back” is an example of an innovative way to market service to young people. To see the video, CLICK HERE

UNICEF and the Morgan Stanley International Foundation recently announced the beginning of the selection process for young people to attend the Junior 8 2007 Summit ("J8 Summit") in Wismar, Germany-which will be held in conjunction with the meeting of world leaders at the G8 Summit Germany 2007 this June.

The selection process calls on groups of young people aged 13 to 17 years old from G8 countries to submit their entries to a national panel.
The winning team will be judged on their recommendations for the G8 leaders. In addition to the 64 young people representing the G8 countries, ten children from developing countries will also be chosen to participate.

The deadline for entries in the United States J8 competition is noon on March 29, 2007. For more information, please visit http://www.j8summit.com/usa.

There are some great Youth Voice resources online!

Involving youth as decision makers
http://snipurl.com/EPC_360

Engaging youth as decision-making partners in organizations
http://snipurl.com/EPC_586


Youth Consultants: Putting It All Together http://nationalserviceresources.org/nsrclibrary/?action=detail&item=V1370


14 Points: Successfully Involving Youth in Decision Making
http://nationalserviceresources.org/nsrclibrary/?action=detail&item=R1438


Teen Power Politics: Make Yourself Heard
http://nationalserviceresources.org/nsrclibrary/?action=detail&item=R1847


Speaking Out: Empowering the Youth Voice
http://www.servicelearning.org/lib_svcs/lib_cat/index.php?library_id=6363


Youth Voice: A Guide for Engaging Youth in Leadership and Decision-Making in Service-Learning Programs
http://www.servicelearning.org/lib_svcs/lib_cat/index.php?library_id=5329

Full text at: http://www.kidsforcommunity.org/pdf/tools/youthguide.pdf


Integrating Youth Voice in Service-Learning http://www.servicelearning.org/lib_svcs/lib_cat/index.php?library_id=4090

Full text at: http://www.ecs.org/clearinghouse/23/67/2367.htm

Check it out: http://www.globalyouthconnect.org/participate

Great article!!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/linkset/2006/04/03/LI2006040301493.html

Qadam means "Step" for Rights & Development, a forum of passionate youth aiming for collective efforts to reduce poverty, empowerment of the marginalized groups, increase access to education and health facilities and creation of a model society for sustainable development in the region. The Organization works with local people within the local culture and customs and is fully familiar with local practices.

Currently we are working on Education Project to establish a school where the poor childrens would provide quality education free of cost. The project is in design phase and we are looking for donations, grands, material support, books, uniforms and meal support for the poor childrens of district Buner. If you want to contribute in Education Project of Qadam Organization Please contact :
info@qadam.org
qadamorg@hotmail.com
or visit www.qadam.org for more details

Check this out: http://www.commonaction.org

YSA has a made a commitment to this initiative! Check it out: http://www.brookings.edu/global/volunteer/volunteer_hp.htm