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Young People Nationwide Answer Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Call to Service

MLK Day Legacy: Harris Wofford
MLK Day Legacy: Harris Wofford, YSA Board of Directors

For many Americans, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a federally-mandated day of rest, but for at least 50,000 children, teens and young adults, today is "a day on, not a day off." These young people are hard at work, kicking off a "Semester of Service" and launching projects supported by YSA Grants that address their communities' most pressing needs.

"With their natural creativity, curiosity and passion, young people are uniquely positioned to better their communities through service and service-learning projects," said Steve Culbertson, president and CEO of YSA (Youth Service America), the global organization that improves communities by increasing the number and diversity of young people serving in substantive roles. "As thousands of kids across the nation begin service projects on MLK Day, Dr. King's dream of the 'beloved community' lives on."  

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YSA Funding Partners

 

State Farm
Disney
Sodexo Foundation
United Healthcare

Corporation for National and Community Service
Learn & Serve

Today, at least 50,000 youth volunteers will serve as part of projects supported by YSA Grants.


Young people, ages 5-25, will serve as part of programs organized by 17 MLK Day Lead Organizers, funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service. More than 500 other YSA grant funded programs kicking off today include:

Many of these grantees are using MLK Day as part of a Semester of Service™. Developed by YSA, Semester of Service is a school-based, service-learning framework through which young people apply what they are learning in the classroom to critical needs in their communities. Most Semester of Service programs include at least 70 hours of learning and service.


Semester of Service Strategy Guide Cover

Extended service-learning experiences such as Semester of Service and other YSA-sponsored initiatives have been shown to increase academic engagement and student achievement, and have a greater impact on the community served.  


 Though many YSA-sponsored projects launch on MLK Day, opportunities and project-support grants are available throughout the year. Semester of Service is free and open to schools, teachers, community organizations and faith-based groups. Anyone interested in planning a Semester of Service can start whenever works for them! Download the Semester of Service Strategy Guide or request a free printed copy of the Guide.


To learn more about projects, grant opportunities and resources, visit www.YSA.org

Happy MLK Day!


stevesignature

Steven A. Culbertson 

President & CEO

YSA (Youth Service America) 

steve@ysa.org  

http://twitter.com/Culbs 

http://facebook.com/SACulbertson