March 16, 2020 | Volume 27, No. 12 | Published Weekly Since 1994
A Global Youth Service Day Like No Other
With Global Youth Service Day just one month away, we know that this year will be like no other due to the coronavirus crisis, but we're still on for April 17-19!

  • We know that your planned activities will likely be affected by school closures and government-ordered quarantines & lockdowns. We will still count activities rescheduled to after these restrictions end as Global Youth Service Day events.


Volunteering and service are more important during a crisis than ever. Social distancing does not mean social isolation. We're all in this together, so be a helper. Let's all do our part to contribute to the common good, so that when this crisis is over, we're proud of how we came together.


1. Help seniors or others who are isolated.

2. Help provide access to meals for students who rely on school meals.

3. Older teens and college students can provide childcare for family/friends/neighbors if schools are closed, but parents still have to work.

4. Raise money for relief organizations or local nonprofits.

5. Donate blood.

6. Foster shelter animals.
7. Protect the mental health of your family, friends, and neighbors.

8. Spread facts and promote the behaviors individuals should be doing to stop the spread of the virus.

9. Fight xenophobia and racism around the origin/spread of the virus.

10. Advocate at the local level for relief & support for vulnerable populations and those affected by the economic disruptions.
Global Youth Service Day is still on for April 17-19! You can still do many of the suggested GYSD ideas virtually or with your family. Here are the activities we think are the best options to do individually at home .

1. Choose one of the dozens of projects in YSA’s Idea Center that can be done at home.

2. Reflect on and celebrate service you’ve done this school year. Submit your volunteer hours from this school year by April 15 to earn a National Community Service Award.

3. Take and discuss the Be Fearless Be Kind Pledge.

4. Encourage people to register to vote online and to complete the census.

5. Develop a policy proposal. Create and share an issue guide.

6. Plan for how local leaders at the school district, city, and county level to support youth voice in the future.

7. Plan for how your afterschool, youth development, or extracurricular program can add volunteer or service-learning activities next school year

8. Join the Climate Strike virtually. Sign up for the Earth Challenge 2020.

9. Download one of our resources and watch the accompanying video training to prepare to plan a project in the future.

10. Convene partners (virtually) and start work on a community asset map and needs assessment.
NEWS FROM THE FIELD
Our partners have compiled resources to help the field respond to this crisis.
For Afterschool Programs

Resources compiled by Afterschool Alliance.

Read more
afterschoolalliance.org
For Nonprofits

Resources compiled by Independent Sector.

Read more
independentsector.org
For Colleges & Universities

Resources compiled by Campus Compact.

Read more
iacampuscompact.org
For Youth and Families

Resources compiled by DoSomething.org.

Read more
www.dosomething.org
For AmeriCorps Programs

Resources compiled by the Corporation for National & Community Service.

Read more
www.nationalservice.gov
For Volunteer Centers and Corporate Volunteer Programs

Resources compiled by Points of Light.

Read more
www.pointsoflight.org
GRANTS & AWARDS
Power of Youth Challenge - Deadline: April 19

Through the Power of Youth Challenge, teams of at least 3 youth ages 13-18 will receive coaching and support to develop their projects. Every team that signs up will have access to financial support in the form of mini grants of up to $250.

Read more
www.americaspromise.org
Youth Service Zone Grants - Start Application by March 27

These grants offer organizations an opportunity to work collaboratively to increase youth volunteer rates in their community or state. 10 Zones will receive a grant of $15,000 ($5,000 to each of 3 collaborative leaders) to support program activities.

Read more
ysa.org
RESOURCES & TRAININGS
The National Service-Learning Conference Goes Virtual

On April 16-17, "Unmask Your Potential" will provide twelve hours of learning opportunities through two-days of thought leader sessions on topics ranging from youth voice and civic engagement to education equity and reflection.

Read more
www.nylc.org
From Born This Way Foundation - Chaos to Kindness

The actions feel small, given everything that we’re dealing with, but the action of moving forward every day, even if it’s by a little bit, is a brave one. Here are some suggestions that may be helpful to you.

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thriveglobal.com
From Scholastic - Teaching Our World: The Coronavirus

Scholastic created this collection to help you ease fears and empower students with age-appropriate information. These resources will help students understand what is being done to keep them safe and how to prevent germs from spreading.

Read more
classroommagazines.scholast...
From Points of Light - Virtual Volunteer Opportunities

Download this PDF to access a robust resource list categorized by activity, impact area, and beneficiaries!

Read more
www.pointsoflight.org
SERVICE SONG OF THE WEEK
"We All Need Someone" - The Strumbellas
"We all need someone to love and to hold
We all need shelter to keep us from the cold
We all need laughter when life gets hard
We all need someone to love us for who we are."
OUR SPONSORS
Michael Minks, Editor-in-Chief