[YL] Friends of Youth Service America

[info at ysa.org]

Dear Friends of Youth Service America,

What do children and youth have to offer to their communities?   How do we tap into their amazing energy and idealism in order to build a brighter and more peaceful world?

I have one simple answer: Ask young people the question "How would you like to help?"  

When youth believe they are valued as assets and resources, their self-respect rises, and their lives begin to soar.  I have seen this personally in my 10 years of working as the President and CEO of Youth Service America, an organization founded in 1986 that envisions a global culture of inspired and engaged youth who share a common goal of lifelong community service, leadership, and achievement.

Too often, teenagers and young children are given directives not decisions.  They are told what to do without any input.  Yet, when they are given the opportunity to make choices and offer their services, young people (from as early as five) become excited, engaged, and productive individuals.  In fact, they become citizens. 

Inspiring young people to serve their communities teaches responsibility and citizenship.  Young people of all backgrounds have a lot to offer and are willing to be part of the positive changes in their communities.  We just need to provide them the opportunities and ask the question "How would you like to help?"

We put this question to young people across the United States and around the world for National and Global Youth Service Day, and the response continues to be amazing.  A few responses include:

* J-Serve offered Jewish teens in both the U. S. and Canada a way to get involved in service with their local communities.  Over 3,500 youth participated in 34 communities.  As part of J-Serve 2005, ten community organizations received $500 grants for local area initiatives.  

* In St. Paul, Minnesota young people designed the Box City Vigil for the Homeless as a statewide all-night event to raise money and awareness about local youth homelessness issues. Participants created a city out of cardboard boxes to symbolize the more than 600 unaccompanied youth in their state that spend their night on the streets.

* Over a half a million Russian volunteers-75% were youth-participated in projects that benefited 800,000 people.  These services included, medicine, clothes, food and toy drives; and blood donations.

You can help by making a donation to YSA at http://www.ysa.org/donate to expand the youth service movement, allowing more young people to give of their time and talents.  The results of your gift will be evident every time a young person uses their skills and knowledge to improve their community, the welfare of others, and ultimately themselves.

Sincerely,

Steven A. Culbertson
President & CEO