Youth Service America June 3

A WEEKLY PUBLICATION OF



Published for the Service and Service-Learning Field Since 1994


June 3, 2010 - Volume 17 #22 - Circulation: 37,000


Share the NSB



YSA Quick Links
Youth Service America
Global Youth Service Day
Semester of Service
Get Ur Good On
Grants
Tools & Resources
ServiceWire
servenet

Sponsors








United Healthcare





YSA Accepting Applications for
STEMester of Service Grant Program


Youth Service America is accepting applications for the second year of STEMester of Service.

Funded by Learn and Serve America, a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service, STEMester of Service incorporates YSA's semester-long service-learning framework to engage educators and students in addressing critical environmental needs and connecting them to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) curricula.

YSA is seeking 10 middle schools with large populations of disadvantaged youth to join 20 returning STEMester of Service grantees. STEM schools must be located in one of the 12 states with highest dropout rates (Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, and Washington).

The $5,000 grant (that includes travel and training at YSA's Youth Service Institute in Detroit in October) supports teachers as they engage local partners and guide students in addressing local needs through planning and implementing sustainable service projects that launch on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service (January 17, 2011) and culminate on Global Youth Service Day (April 15-17, 2011).

Applications are due July 15, 2010. Grants will be announced in late July.

For additional information about STEMester of Service, please visit www.ysa.org/grants/stem



NEWS FROM THE FIELD


Teen Gets 'Good On' and Wins Volunteer Opportunity with Miley Cyrus
Get Ur Good On, an online youth engagement initiative founded by Miley Cyrus in partnership with YSA, will award Annica Benning the opportunity to volunteer with Miley Cyrus for a day. Cyrus, who regularly donates her time and attention to a number of different charities, is excited to have Annica accompany her on one of her own upcoming service activities. The contest, announced in April, asked teens to create a video about how they got their "good on" for Global Youth Service Day, April 23-25. Benning from Arizona demonstrated her commitment to healthy communities by coordinating The Bridge, a youth summit connecting native and non-native teens to promote friendship and remove stereotypes. In addition to the volunteer opportunity, Benning will receive a $500 Get Ur Good On sustainability grant, supporting her ongoing endeavors to make positive community interaction. To watch the video about Miley's Global Youth Service Day activity, and to learn more about Get Ur Good On, visit www.GetUrGoodOn.org.




DoSomething.Org Announces Jane Lynch As Host of the 2010 VH1 Do Something Awards
DoSomething.org recently announced comedic actress and star of "Glee", Jane Lynch as host of their star-studded "Do Something Awards" live telecast on VH1 on July 19, 2010 at 9PM EDT. The final five nominees and grant recipients to be honored during the show were also announced. Each nominee is honored for their commitment to service and social change with a community grant of $10,000. Of these five nominees, a grand prize winner will receive a $100,000 grant for their cause during the live broadcast from the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. DoSomething.org also announced the 2010 celebrity categories, honoring the entertainment industry for its continued dedication to activism and charity projects. All voting for these categories, including influential celebrities, musicians, comedians, and athletes, inspiring films and television shows, and social media initiatives can be done by the public at http://DoSomething.VH1.com



G8/G20 Global Day of Action
Later this month, the most powerful leaders from around the world will gather around two summit tables, the G8 table in Huntsville and the G20 table in Toronto. These powerful leaders need to hear what needs to be done to create a world that is fair and sustainable for all of us. At the Table is a global civil society campaign, mobilizing citizens to "take their place" at these critical global summits. It is a call to leaders to "take their place" in forging bold decisions on the issues people care about - poverty, climate change, and economic justice. There are many ways for individuals of all ages to take action; learn more at: http://atthetable2010.org/individuals/actnow




Campus Progress and Huffington Post College National Keynote Contest
If you had the chance to speak to over 1,000 politically engaged young people from the stage of a major conference, and tens of thousands more online and through the media, about what inspired you, and what you're doing to advance progressive change, what would you say? Think about it, grab a camera (or a laptop), shoot a 1-3 minute video, and submit that video in the drop box on this page to participate in the Campus Progress and Huffington Post College National Keynote Contest. They will select the top six applicants and post their submissions on The Huffington Post. The top three winners will receive free travel and accommodations to DC on July 7th & 8th to address the 2010 Campus Progress National Conference. Learn more at: www.campusprogress.org/conference/5594/campus-progress-and-huffington-post-college-national-keynote-contest



World Environment Day - June 5
World Environment Day (WED) 2010 is one of the biggest, most widely celebrated, global days of positive, environmental action. WED 2010 aims to be the biggest WED celebration ever and we count on you to make this happen! We call for action - organize a neighborhood clean-up, stop using plastic bags and get your community to do the same, plant a tree or better yet organize a collective tree planting effort, walk to work, start a recycling drive . . . the possibilities are endless. Whatever you do, tell us about it. We will post your activities on this website and make it part of the 'Wide World of WED' map. Learn more, register your activity, download resources and activity ideas at: www.unep.org/wed/2010/english/


GRANTS & AWARDS

These grant announcements are provided in partnership with GrantStation.com: Your Fast Track to Funding

AMA Foundation Healthy Living Grant Program (Deadline: July 15 )
The Healthy Living Grant Program, an initiative of the AMA Foundation, supports grassroots public health projects that encourage healthy lifestyles in communities across the nation. Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded in the following three categories: Nutrition/Physical Fitness; Alcohol, Substance Abuse, and Smoking Prevention; and Violence Prevention. Funded projects should target underserved and/or at-risk youth between the ages of 2-21. Organizations that have been in existence for at least one year and that have an annual operating budget of $500,000 or less are eligible to apply. Application guidelines and forms are available at: www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/about-ama/ama-foundation/our-programs/public-health/healthy-living-grants.shtml



WhyHunger: Harry Chapin Self-Reliance Awards (Deadline: July 15)

The Harry Chapin Self-Reliance Awards program, administered by WhyHunger, provides grants to community-based organizations judged outstanding for their innovative approaches to fighting hunger and poverty in the United States by empowering people and building self-reliance. The awards honor those organizations that help people improve their own lives and the communities in which they live. Eligible organizations must offer program activities that go beyond emergency food, shelter, and other types of assistance to address the root causes of poverty. (Organizations providing only basic services will not be considered.) In this grant cycle, ten organizations will receive awards of up to $7,000. www.whyhunger.org/programs/grassroots-action-network/272.html





The Collaboration Prize (Deadline: June 16)
The Collaboration Prize, created by the Lodestar Foundation, is a national award program designed to identify and showcase models of collaboration among nonprofit organizations. Recognizing the impact that can be achieved from working together, the prize shines a spotlight on collaborations that cooperate to demonstrate innovative and effective responses to challenges or opportunities. To be eligible, a collaboration must involve two or more U.S. nonprofit organizations and must have been in operation for at least 18 months. Each of eight finalists will receive $12,500 and the winner will receive an additional $150,000. The online application process will open June 1, 2010 and close on July 16, 2010. http://thecollaborationprize.org/




For Previously Featured Grants & Awards, visit:
www.servicewire.org/nsb/Grants-and-Awards


PROFILES IN SERVICE
NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE AWARD WINNERS


Youth Service America asked Members of Congress to recognize youth volunteers on Global Youth Service Day with the National Youth Service Award (NYSA). We'll feature several NYSA winners each week.

Kayla Jeffrey, 16
Crescent City, CA
Nominated by Representative Mike Thompson
Kayla makes dinner once a week for the women and children living in the Harrington House, a shelter for those who have experienced domestic violence and are seeking refuge. She also aids the staff in maintaining the facilities with great enthusiasm and represents the Harrington House at many community events.


Russell Leibowitz, 17
Mount Sinai, NY
Nominated by Representative Tim Bishop
Russell founded the Great Knights Chess Club, a nonprofit organization devoted to helping youth develop problem solving skills through the game of chess. Over 1,500 students have participated in Great Knights Chess Club activities to date.


Ashley Erin Dotson, 14
Miami, FL
Nominated by Senator Bill Nelson
Ashley has organized several fundraisers and drives for Haiti relief, gathering supplies and much needed donations. She is currently collecting teddy bears to be donated to the children of Haiti.


Amanda McKnight, 17
Charlotte, NC
Nominated by Senator Kay Hagan
Amanda started the "Bear and a Book" program, which partnered with the Levine Children's Hospital to donate a teddy bear and a book to sick children. She was compelled to start this project after a previous service trip.


Jordan Somer, 16
Papillion, NE
Nominated by Senator Mike Johanns
In 2007, Jordan founded the annual Miss Amazing Pageant, an event that gives girls and women with disabilities the opportunity to participate in a pageant, develop public speaking skills, and build a positive self-image. The money raised from tickets sales and silent auctions, $15,000 since the pageant's founding, has been donated to various community organizations. Beyond the direct support of people with disabilities and her community, Jordan has led others to service, engaging 50 of her peers.

TOOLS, TRAINING, RESOURCES & RESEARCH

Good Intentions: The Beliefs and Values of Teens and Tweens Today

Beliefs and values, and their influence on decision making, have commanded significant media and public attention in the new millennium. What life choices will youth make when confronted with real-life dilemmas? How different or similar are youth on ethics and moral judgment compared to youth 20 years ago?
Good Intentions: The Beliefs and Values of Teens and Tweens Today (2009), a national study conducted by the Girl Scout Research Institute (GSRI) in partnership with Harris Interactive explores what youth today value and how they go about making decisions, based on research conducted with 3,263 3rd to 12th-graders from around the country.
This work paints an encouraging picture about a generation of youth responsible to themselves and to others, and who value diversity, acceptance, and community involvement. It also highlights the important role that adults play in helping girls to actualize their good intentions. Download the Executive Summary and learn more at: www.girlscouts.org/research/publications/girlleadership/good_intentions.asp





America After 3PM Special Report on Summer: Missed Opportunities, Unmet Demand
Summer learning programs are one important way to keep children engaged and learning throughout the summer months, but a recent study released by the Afterschool Alliance finds that the supply of summer learning programs isn't keeping up with the demand for them. Sponsored by The Wallace Foundation, America After 3PM Special Report on Summer: Missed Opportunities, Unmet Demand demonstrates that the nation is missing a key opportunity to help millions of children succeed in school. The report examines data from the 2009 America After 3PM study, sponsored by JCPenney Afterschool, and focuses specifically on summer learning program participation and its key role in keeping children engaged in learning throughout the summer months. The study finds that only 25 percent of school-age children (an estimated 14.3 million children) participate in summer learning programs.
Based on parent interest in enrolling their child in a summer learning program, 56 percent of all non-participating children (an estimated 24 million children) would likely enroll in summer learning programs. Even more data on summer learning programs throughout the country and in each state can be found in the America After 3PM Special Report on Summer section of the Afterschool Alliance website at www.afterschoolalliance.org/AA3PM_summer.cfm






PTA Summer of Learning Toolkit
The PTA Urban Family Engagement Initiative Summer of Learning Toolkit calendar features quick ideas on almost every day of the week. This calendar of summer activities for children can help you keep your students engaged in fun learning activities throughout the summer. You will find activities, developed by National PTA's family engagement experts, for students at all grade levels, no matter what their interests are. Special links take you to downloadable, step-by-step instructions for longer activities. The calendar runs through August with dozens of summer activities for children. To access the calendar, click below or go to www.PTA.org/summeroflearning


SERVICE CALENDARS

Conferences & Events



Habitat 360: Youth Leadership Conference 2010

October 22-24
Columbus, OH
www.habitat.org/gvylc/default.aspx

The YLC 2010 agenda includes three days packed with helpful workshops, inspiring speakers and fun events to help you explore new ideas, celebrate your successes and network with other leaders of change.


The conference is the best opportunity for those involved with Habitat for Humanity's youth programs -- Campus Chapters, Collegiate Challenge, Youth United, Learn and Build Experience, and Teacher Fellows -- to connect with other Habitat staff and volunteers from around the country. Student leaders, advisers and affiliate representatives are all encourage to attend.

Register by May 31 to take advantage of early-bird rates, and save $40 per attendee! Information about and application for registration grants is also available on the registration page. If your group would like to present, please submit a presentation proposal before August 1.



Conference Calendar: www.servicewire.org/conferences

If you'd like your 2010 conference or event to be included, please e-mail the name, date, and location (city, state) of the conference to dmiranda@ysa.org with the subject line "NSB Conference." Include a short blurb/description of the conference and the website you want people to be directed to.



Seasons of Service


June 2010

National Family Month - May 9 - June 20

World Environment Day - June 5

World Day Against Child Labor - June 12

World Blood Donor Day - June 14

World Refugee Day - June 20

National Summer Learning Day - June 21



Seasons of Service Calendar: www.servicewire.org/seasonsofservice

If you'd like your annual campaign/awareness event to be included, please e-mail the name, date, and location (city, state) of the event to dmiranda@ysa.org with the subject line "Seasons of Service." Include a short blurb/description of the event and the website you want people to be directed to.



QUOTE OF THE WEEK



"Setting an example is not the main means of influencing another, it is the only means."
- Albert Einstein



Best,


Michael Minks, Editor-in-Chief
Director of Outreach
Youth Service America


Danielle Miranda, Associate Editor
Manager of Outreach
Youth Service America

nsbinfo@ysa.org

Deadline: All submissions to the NSB must be emailed to the above email no later than 5pm EST on Monday for that week's NSB.

Disclaimer: Youth Service America offers the National Service Briefing as a resource to the field for information purposes and does not necessarily endorse or support, in any way, the views, opinions, goals of organizations, or sources of grants.


Connect to Youth Service America



Join our list

Partners

America's Promise Alliance

National Youth Leadership Council

National Service Learning Partnership

National Service-Learning Clearinghouse







Forward email

This email was sent to jmak@charter.net by nsbinfo@ysa.org.
Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Email Marketing by


Youth Service America | 1101 15th Street NW | Suite 200 | Washington | DC | 20005