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July 19, 2012
Volume 19, No. 29
Circulation: 41,000
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Last Chance to Nominate Young Leaders for New YSA Program
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Do you know an exceptional teen or young adult with a passion for creating change? There's just over one week left to nominate him or her for the National Child Awareness Month Ambassadors Program, a unique opportunity for service-minded youth, ages 16 to 22, to receive support and leadership training as they develop large-scale service projects that positively impact the lives of young people.
Fifty-one Youth Ambassadors will be selected - one per state - creating a powerful national network of young people who raise their collective voice in service to other youth.
Youth Ambassadors receive:
- A two-day training in Washington, D.C. (travel, lodging and related expenses included);
- A $1,000 grant from the Festival of Children Foundation to implement a youth-focused service project of his or her choosing;
- Ongoing networking opportunities with other Youth Ambassadors across the country;
- Ongoing training and project support;
- A platform for their cause or issue-area.
The nomination deadline is Sunday, July 29. For detailed program and eligibility requirements, or to nominate a young person, visit: www.YSA.org/grants/NCAM
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Connect with YSA
  
YSA Funding Partners
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News From the Field
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U.S. House Again Tries to Eliminate AmeriCorps, VISTA & NCCC
This week, the House Appropriations Committee released their funding bill that once again calls for dramatic cuts to the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). While it preserves funding for the three Senior Corps programs, the bill directs agency staff to shut down CNCS and eliminates all funding for vital programs such as AmeriCorps, the Volunteer Generation Fund, VISTA, the National Civilian Community Corps, and the Social Innovation Fund. These programs have provided critical and countless benefits to communities nationwide, from education to nursing, infrastructure repair to disaster relief. We need them now more than ever, and we need your voice to help protect their contributions. We've been here before and - with your help - we've fought back successfully, but it wasn't easy then and it won't be easy now. Learn how you can take action to save service: http://bit.ly/oR1We5
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Action Heroes Needed This Summer!
We've joined generationOn and Hasbro to challenge you to be a hero in your community. Pick a cause, choose a project (or create your own) and report on it for a chance to be selected for a $500 mini-grant. Over 8,000 young action heroes have already started making a difference this summer. Don't let the summer pass you by. Be a hero: http://bit.ly/MCDrNB
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Grants & Awards
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Harris Wofford Award - Youth
Deadline: July 22
The Harris Wofford Youth Award will be given to a young person (ages 5 -25) who is a legal resident of the U.S. who demonstrates exemplary commitment and action to involve his or her peers in service, youth voice, service-learning or civic engagement activities. The recipient will receive a $500 award for him/herself and $500 to give to a nonprofit of his or her choice to support program activities as well as travel to the Youth Service Institute. www.YSA.org/grants/harris-wofford-award-youth
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Harris Wofford Award - Educator
Deadline: July 22
The Harris Wofford Young Educator Award recognizes an extraordinary young teacher and his/her achievements and contributions towards enhancing the practice of high-quality service-learning. The recipient will receive a $500 award for him/herself and $500 for his/her service-learning program as well as travel to the Youth Service Institute. www.YSA.org/grants/harris-wofford-award-educator
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National Child Awareness Month Youth Ambassador Program
Deadline: July 29
Organizations are invited to nominate young people, ages 16 to 22, for the National Child Awareness Month Youth Ambassador program. The program challenges youth to create large-scale service projects, and includes training in Washington, D.C.; a $1,000 grant; and ongoing project support. For more information or to nominate a young person, visit www.YSA.org/grants/NCAM
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State Farm Good Neighbor Student Achievement Grants
Deadline: July 31
YSA and State Farm™ are proud to offer grants of up to $1,500 for programs enhancing student achievement through service-learning in K-12 public schools in all fifty US states, the District of Columbia, and in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Ontario and New Brunswick. The State Farm Good Neighbor Student Achievement Grant requires a 12-to-14 week Semester of Service™ starting on MLK Day of Service (January 21, 2013) and ending on Global Youth Service Day, (April 26-28, 2013). The grant also includes participation in a regional training to introduce grantees to the elements and expectations of the program as well as the suite of tools, resources, and support that YSA will provide. www.YSA.org/goodneighbor
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Everyday Young Heroes
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John-Henry Lambin
Gardnerville, NV
YSA recognizes eighteen-year-old John-Henry Lambin from Gardnerville, Nevada, as one of our Everyday Young Heroes. John-Henry is a student at Western Nevada College and remains a constant source of inspiration through his selfless actions and dedication to others.
So many people are able to attend college, spend time with family, and enjoy the leisure of everyday life. John-Henry recognized these actions we take for granted as US citizens after a close friend enlisted in the Army. Acknowledging the sacrifice of men and women soldiers in order to secure our freedoms, John-Henry created A Touch of Home. This program is a special way of saying thank you by sending packages containing items that are necessary as well as items that would remind them that they are loved! In addition to the necessities, every box includes a stuffed bear or animal with a detailed letter that explains his mission. A Touch of Hope has sent over 500 packages overseas to impact soldiers' lives as John-Henry expresses his gratitude with the support of his family and community. We honor John-Henry Lambin as an Everyday Young Hero for his effort to thank American soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. To nominate a young person who has improved their community through service to be recognized as an Everyday Young Hero, please visit www.ysa.org/awards/hero. |
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Resources & Trainings
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Webinar: Preparing for 9/11: Maximizing the Value of Days of Service
Thursday, July 26th at 2:00pm Eastern
This webinar will include how to utilize days of service to advance your overall mission and sustainability, and grow your volunteer base and champions for your work. Topics will include:
* Best practices for presenting your data to show the impact from your service work
* Demonstrating accountability to funders and stakeholders
* Telling your story to help justify continued funding and other support
* Achieving maximum value from days of service such as the 9/11 Day of Service & Remembrance
Register at http://bit.ly/MytFN6
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We Serve to Remember: 10 Lessons for Engaging Youth on 9/11
A s we approach the 11th anniversary of 9/11, we are challenged to explain the significance of the event to America's young people - many of whom have no first-hand memory of the occasion. YSA offers experience in engaging youth by suggesting the following ten lessons learned and related ideas for service-learning projects. Download at: http://bit.ly/pKv13L
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Webinar: Better Communications Planning
Thursday, July 26th at 1:30pm Eastern
Join America's Promise for a free webinar that will help participants determine the best ways to reach their audiences through the variety of channels out there today. "Communications Planning: Making the Most of Your Resources" will highlight methods for strategically reaching key audiences. The webinar will discuss setting goals, targeting audiences, identifying messages and messengers, and implementing tactics -- all to create a communications plan that produces results efficiently. Register at http://bit.ly/NBuRh6
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Webinar: Healthy Communities for a Healthy Future: Supporting Let's Move! Cities, Towns, and Counties
Wednesday, August 15 at 2:00pm Eastern
This webinar will introduce listeners to a new project launched by the National League of Cities (NLC) to help local elected officials address the policy and environmental factors that impact childhood obesity. Tune in to this webinar to learn how NLC and its partners will assist local elected officials who sign up their communities to participate in LMCTC in achieving five goals to improve the health of local residents. http://bit.ly/MuL1Xu
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Song of the Week
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Playing for Change - "Imagine" by John Lennon
"Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people sharing all the world
You, you may say
I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us
And the world will live as one."
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The Editor
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 Mike Minks Director of Outreach and Innovation
Editor-in-Chief @michaelminks |
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