As the GYSD Lead Agency for the District, Serve DC provides grants of up to $500 to organizations planning collaborative, youth-led service projects that address pressing community issues. The 2012 grant recipients' service projects will reach more than 700 young people throughout the District. You can register your own GYSD service project or find a service project to participate in on Serve DC's website.

Serve DC is also proud to announce two new, DC-specific resources for youth: DC Global Youth Service Day Planning Guide, which has guidelines and examples for creating successful, substantive service projects in DC; and Rock Your World: DC Youth Service Project Toolkit, which provides DC resources, including city services, funding, free tools and materials, and more to make your great idea a reality or take an existing service project to the next level.

Registration is now open for the Serve DC's 2012 Annual Conference, which will be held Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at the Renaissance Downtown Hotel. 

With the theme, "Sustaining a Community of Service," this dynamic day of programming and networking is designed to give participants the tools, resources and support necessary to strengthen and expand organizational and individual capacity to meet community needs through service. Renowned experts from local and national service-based organizations will be on hand to provide valuable information and feedback through interactive workshops and presentations designed specifically to help participants maximize their potential and achieve and exceed their goals.

Each year, Serve DC's Annual Conference convenes individuals and organizations from across the city who are committed to community improvement and empowerment through service. For more information or to register, visit the Annual Conference online or contact Sarah Watkins.

Serve DC is currently seeking community reviewers to evaluate applications for its 2012 AmeriCorps State Formula Grant Competition. This is an excellent opportunity to network with colleagues in the national service field, learn more about the grant-making process, develop your own grant-writing skills, and contribute your knowledge and experience to Serve DC's efforts to select high-quality Washington, DC-based programs for AmeriCorps funding.

Application deadline is 5:00pm EST on Friday, April 6, 2012.

For more information, download the Call for Reviewers, visit Serve DC's AmeriCorps State Grant Competition page or contact Isabel Spake. 

Serve DC, in partnership with DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services (DC FEMS), will host a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Spring Training Drill and Demonstration on April 14, 2012 at Anacostia Park Skate Pavilion. The drill is designed to test CERT trainees' skills and knowledge and to provide a realistic practice setting. April 13, drill participants will meet for a debriefing and curriculum "refresher," and tour the drill area.

The drill is open to observers, but registration is now closed for participants. For further information, please visit the CERT Spring Training Drill registration page or contact Jason Williamson.

Serve DC is offering grants of up to $5,000 to support service projects with a focus on disability inclusion for 2012 Fall Seasons of Service Days, which include the 9/11 National Day of Service & Remembrance and National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Eligible applicants are local nonprofit organizations, public schools, universities, community groups, faith-based organizations, state and local units of government, and public organizations. Programs applying for funding must conduct the project within the District of Columbia and attend a technical assistance session.

For more information, download the Notice of Funding Availability or Fall Service Days flyer, or contact Sarah Watkins.