What is National Youth Service Day?
National Youth Service Day, takes place second or third weekend in April and is a public awareness and education campaign that highlights the amazing contributions that young people make to their communities 365 days a year. As the largest service event in the world, it mobilizes millions of young people to address the needs of their communities, and educates the public, the media, and policymakers about the year-round contributions of young people as community leaders.
What are the Goals of National Youth Service Day?
- MOBILIZE youth as leaders to identify and address the needs of their communities through service and learning; SUPPORT youth on a lifelong path of service and civic engagement; and
- Educate the public, the media and policymakers about the year-round contributions of young people as community leaders
How did National Youth Service Day begin?
In 1988, Youth Service America (YSA) and the Campus Outreach Opportunity League (COOL) organized the first National Youth Service Day, then called "A Day in the Life of Youth Service." Nearly 1,000 programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia participated. In 1990, YSA joined forces with COOL, the United States Conference of Mayors, the Weekly Reader, and the Jefferson Awards to celebrate the day. In the last decade, National Youth Service Day has grown to include more than 90 National Partners, 50 Lead Agencies, hundreds of NYSD grant winners, and millions of young people nationwide.
Why is National Youth Service Day a WEEKEND and not a DAY?
Originally, National Youth Service Day was on a Tuesday, and then it was moved to a Friday and Saturday to allow for schools and after school groups to participate. Jewish organizations then approached Youth Service America to request a Sunday so they can participate. (Orthodox Jews participate in the “Sabbath” from Friday through Saturday and cannot work during that time.) So now National Youth Service Day is three days of celebration: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
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Reprinted with the permission of Youth Service America. © 1996-2008 Youth Service America. All Rights Reserved.
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