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October 4, 2012
Volume 19, No. 40
Circulation: 41,000
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Young People Who Serve Have Right to be Heard This Election
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Today on The Huffington Post, Steve Culbertson, YSA's President & CEO, explains why young people who are volunteering and serving their communities at record rates deserve the right to ask candidates questions, and the right to be engaged in this election.
 "Eighteen may be the legal minimum voting age, but it is not the minimum engagement age. I call on all candidates, adult voters, parents, educators, and community organizations to ask young people what they think about the issues. ...
Elections are about so much more than just the act of voting, and there are many ways for young people to be engaged in elections that don't involve casting a ballot. Even if they're not old enough to vote, they can develop and share opinions, educate eligible voters, help register voters, get out the vote, ask tough questions of candidates, serve as a poll workers or greeters, become citizen journalists, or volunteer for campaigns. ...
According to the 2010 Census, 34 percent of the total U.S. population is under age 25 -- that's 104 million people! We cannot afford to leave more than one-third of Americans completely out of the election. By comparison, those over age 45 comprise 39 percent of the population. It's time to spend just as much time engaging those under 25 as we do to engage those over 45. It's not just a "nice;" it's a necessary. ..."
Read (and share) the entire blog at: http://huff.to/QM61cP
ServiceVote 2012 Webinar
Monday, October 15 @ 3:00pm Eastern
Join this webinar to learn more about YSA's "ServiceVote 12 for '12" - twelve ideas for how young people can be engaged in the election. We'll highlight the ServiceVote 12 for 12 with examples, share 12 of our favorite election resources for educators, and offer 12 project ideas that you can implement in the last three weeks before the election. Register at: http://bit.ly/ServiceVote2012Webinar
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Connect with YSA
  
YSA Funding Partners
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News From the FielD
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Lights On Afterschool is October 18
Anyone can celebrate Lights On Afterschool! A celebration can be simple: invite parents and community members to an open house, have kids make light bulb art, or talk to your neighbors and community leaders about the importance of afterschool in your community. Events don't need to take a lot of time, money or resources to be great; a creative, low-key event with a well thought out guest list can have just as much impact as a large rally on the steps of the state capitol. What matters is taking a moment to recognize the important, positive benefits of afterschool programs and sharing that with your community - with or without the confetti! Find easy, inexpensive ways to celebrate Lights On Afterschool at http://bit.ly/PC7H7O
You can help keep the lights on after school. Download the Lights On Afterschool planning kit, get Lights On Afterschool web banners and logos to help promote your event, and register your event at http://bit.ly/r2kP2n |
National Teen Driver Safety Week is October 14 - 20
The 6th annual National Teen Driver Safety Week takes place October 14-20, 2012. This year's theme is 'Share, Not Scare.' Although graphic reenactments of car crashes and other tactics may get your attention, they may not be the best way to change behavior over the long haul. Instead, message to motivate by communicating the benefits of safe driving. http://bit.ly/WrAlgY Celebrate National Teen Driver Safety Week by submitting your application for YSA's State Farm Good Neighbor YOUth in the Driver Seat Grants or NYLC's State Farm Project Ignition Grants. State Farm has tools and resources to guide you as you work with your students throughout the year to help them be safe drivers. For more information to help teens learn, plan, and practice their driving skills visit http://teendriving.statefarm.com
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ServiceVote 12 for '12: Engaging Youth in the 2012 Elections Special Series
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With just under 5 weeks to go until Election Day, YSA continues this special 12-part series leading up to November 6.
YSA offers the ServiceVote 12 for '12 - twelve ideas of how young people can serve this election season (and only one of them requires you to be 18!) Get all the ideas, related resources, and let us know how you're getting involved at www.YSA.org/ServiceVote
Each week until Election Day, we'll feature one way young people can get involved during the election, and share partner programs, resources, and events.
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ServiceVote 12 for '12:
Volunteer for campaigns.
Volunteering with a campaign is a great way to make sure your voice is heard while getting a first-hand look at the political process. Campaigns are always in need of help in the form of supporters, volunteers, and interns, and there are jobs for everyone. Usually, no experience is necessary, since training will be provided on the job. Download the "ServiceVote: Volunteer" tipsheet and find out how to volunteer with the Obama-Biden campaign, the Romney-Ryan campaign, the Young Democrats, the Young Republicans, the College Democrats, or the College Republicans at www.YSA.org/ServiceVote#10
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Nonprofit Vote Get Out The Vote Webinar & "Vote November 6" Kits
Thursday October 11th at 2:00pm Eastern
Nonprofits can play a pivotal role in getting out the vote. Register for a free web event on October 11 - Nonprofits Get Out the Vote! Countdown to Election Day - to learn about nonprofit-specific strategies and tools. http://bit.ly/Oz2Ljt
There's still time to order a "Vote November 6" kit. Kits will only be available for a couple more weeks, so order yours today and ensure you have materials to help engage voters in your community around the upcoming election. The kit includes a poster, stickers, button, and a list of suggested activities for nonprofits. http://bit.ly/Q00Ib4
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Grants & Awards
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NYLC Youth & Practitioner Service-Learning Awards
Deadline: October 12
The Service-Learning Practitioner Leadership Award recognizes those who have equipped young people to lead and serve, both through their direct work with youth and by nurturing other practitioners. The Youth Leadership for Service-Learning Excellence Award recognizes service-learning programs and projects that demonstrate outstanding youth leadership. This award focuses on projects that show a high level of youth initiative in all areas including identifying an authentic need, planning the service, and putting that plan into action. Teams of young people participating in service-learning projects can apply. Both awards are $1,000 plus travel, lodging, and registration for the 2013 National Service-Learning Conference, where the awards will be presented. http://bit.ly/UHSrII
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UnitedHealth HEROES Grants
Deadline: October 15
YSA and UnitedHealthcare are inviting schools and other community-based nonprofit organizations to Step into Service by applying for UnitedHealth HEROES grants. Grants of up to $1,000 are available for youth-led service-learning projects which aim to combat childhood obesity through walking, running or hiking programs. Watch a webinar that explains the grant program and guides applicants through the application process. For more information, visit www.YSA.org/HEROES
YSA is recruiting volunteer grant reviewers for the UnitedHealth HEROES Grants during the week of October 16-21. If you are interested, sign up for the grant reviewer training webinar on October 11 and then e-mail Amanda McDonald to let her know you're interested.
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State FarmŽ Good Neighbor YOUth In The Driver Seat Grants
Deadline: October 15
Learning to drive is one of the most exciting milestones in a teen's life. To support teens and their teachers in this rite of passage, YSA and State FarmŽ are offering $1,500 YOUth in the Driver Seat Grants to implement a service-learning program that encourages safe driving habits, community service and student achievement. www.YSA.org/grants/YOUthInTheDriverSeat
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Sodexo Foundation Youth Grants
Deadline: January 31
More than 16 million children live in food insecure homes, not always sure where their next meal will come from. That's why YSA and Sodexo Foundation are calling on young people to "take hunger personally" and join the fight to end childhood hunger. Sodexo Foundation Youth Grants of $500 grants are available for youth-led service projects that bring together young people, families, Sodexo employees and other community members to address childhood hunger. U.S. young people, ages 5-25, are eligible to apply. Projects will take place on or around Global Youth Service Day, April 26-28, 2013. www.YSA.org/grants/sodexoyouth
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Everyday Young Heroes
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Y-Press Reporters
Indianapolis, IN
YSA recognizes the 12 young journalists who braved the crowds at the Democratic and Republican National Conventions to bring us all a youth perspective on the 2012 Presidential Elections.
WKCD has teamed up with the youth-led news bureau, Y-Press, based in Indianapolis. Originally part of the Children's Express, Y-Press has nurtured young journalists for more than 20 years. Their stories and articles-on local, national, and global topics-appear every other week in the Indianapolis Star. The Y-Press web site is updated regularly and encourages external submissions and comments about youth-written stories and reviews.
 These 12 youth journalists from Y-Press gathered floor credentials, notebooks, tape recorders, and sleeping bags and joined the reporter pack at both conventions.
What the Y-Press journalists turned up and write about stays true to their charge: providing a youth beat on this year's presidential election.. See their coverage of the conventions: http://bit.ly/WrKbiW For their commitment to being engaged this election, we honor the Y-Press Reporters as Everyday Young Heroes. 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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The Guide YOU(th) Made
Sarah Guy, YSA's Education Manager, shares what went into creating YSA's newest resource:
"Many YSA grantees and GYSD organizers submitted thoughtful, enthusiastic accounts of their GYSD activities and shared project highlights, reflections, and best practices. Many of these highlights are now featured in YSA's new, free youth planning guide, YOUth Changing the World: A Service Project Toolkit. ... In addition to success stories and project examples, the new guide includes planning tips and a series of guiding questions that enable youth to plan and implement high-impact service projects that are meaningful to them and their community." Read Sarah's blog at http://bit.ly/PZX94T and download the Toolkit at http://bit.ly/Sonwn1
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NYLC Webinar: Project Ignition Grants Introduction and Support to Build a High Quality Application
Tuesday, October 16 at 11:00am Central
Want to know how to create a high quality application to Project Ignition and maximize your chances to get a grant for teen driver safety? Not sure how to get started? Join NYLC's Teen Driver Safety Program Manager Melissa Mitchell for this webinar to learn about the Project Ignition program and how to build a successful PI grant application. Get your school involved in the national conversation to learn more about Project Ignition and how students and educators are saving lives through service-learning. Register at: http://bit.ly/VBS5a0
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CIRCLE #YouthTruth: Data Points to the Power of the Ask to Vote
During the summer CIRCLE polled nearly 1,700 youth, 18 to 29 years old, about the election. Among many questions, they asked what would influence the respondents to vote. There was a clear answer: ask. Almost half of young respondents reported that being asked by a friend or a parent would or might influence them to vote. In fact, of the situations that CIRCLE asked about, the one youth said would have the most influence was being asked by a parent. See all the stats: http://bit.ly/VBVTYO
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EarthEcho International presents Out the Spout & Down the Drain
Bring science to life in this interactive and resource-filled session led by Cathryn Berger Kaye, M.A., author of The Complete Guide to Service Learning, and Kyra Kristof, Director of Learning for EarthEcho International. Two upcoming opportunities are October 30 from 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm at Windward School in Los Angeles ($25 per attendee) and November 1 from 9:00 am-Noon at the Character Education Partnership Conference in Washington, DC. ($45 for workshop only, or $25 in conjunction with conference registration). http://bit.ly/T4qbi0
Download "Out the Spout." "Down the Drain," and other service-learning action guides: http://bit.ly/mBRFwx
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Service Calendars
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Conferences & Events
YSA's Youth Service Institute
October 17-19, 2012 - Houston, TX
Summer Changes Everything National Conference
October 22-24, 2012 - Pittsburgh, PA
People to People International Global Youth Forum
November 7-11, 2012 - Chicago, IL
24th Annual National Service-Learning Conference
March 13-15, 2013 - Denver, CO
National Conference on Volunteering & Service
June 19-21, 2013 - Washington, DC
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Seasons of Service
October 2012
Domestic Violence Awareness Month - October
Intergeneration Month - October
World Mental Health Day - October 10
International Day of the Girl Child - October 11
National Coming Out Day - October 11
World Sight Day - October 11
National Teen Driver Safety Week - October 14-20
Ally Week - October 15-19
World Food Day - October 16
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty -
Lights on Afterschool - October 18
National SAVE (Students Against Violence Everywhere) Day - October 24
Teen Read Week - October 14-20
America's Safe Schools Week - October 21-27
Make a Difference Day - October 27
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Song of the Week
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Parks and Recreation's Mouse Rat - "Catch Your Dream"
In the spirit of ServiceVote 2012, an election-themed song: from Parks and Recreation, Leslie Knope's official campaign song:
"Catch your dream and shackle it to your heart
Catch your dream, don't let it spread its wings and fly away
Catch your dream, don't ever let the quittin' start
You gotta catch your dream and shackle it to your heart..."
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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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