May 2023

Anna, a sophomore at Hampton Roads Academy, has been an active YVC member for four years, pouring much of her energy towards her school's YVC Club. Her favorite thing about volunteering with YVC is "working with others to positively impact the community."

Anna recently applied for and was awarded a microgrant to build community cat shelters and bird houses. Anna exhibited impressive leadership skills as she guided fellow student volunteers through the implementation process.

As a self-proclaimed cat lover, the Poquoson Animal Welfare Sanctuary (PAWS) is one of her favorite organizations that YVC serves. She values "all of the work they do to find cats in need new and safe homes."

One experience that Anna found to be particularly meaningful was back in February when YVCHR partnered with PORT Emergency Winter Shelter. She recalls that after making chili for all the guests, the youth volunteers had a discussion about the challenges that unhoused people face. This discussion helped her to realize just "'how important it is to help those in need and not judge people’s situations."

Anna believes her work with YVCHR "is showing [her] the importance of teamwork and that anyone can be a leader!"

Outside of YVC, Anna (pictured above) enjoys spending time with her sisters, playing with her cat, and writing!

Online registration for this year's summer camp program is LIVE.

Limited spaces available! The registration link and important camp details are available at www.yvchr.org/ss2023. Please read carefully through all camp policies and schedules.

Important: Youth must have transportation to/from each service site. Locations for each session are subject to change; an official schedule will be emailed to all registered participants the Monday prior to the start of their camp session.

The cost per session is $100; need-based scholarships are available.

Session 1: Tuesday, June 13--Friday, June 16; 11am-4pm [FULL]

Session 2: Monday, June 26--Thursday, June 29; 8:30am-1:30pm [FULL]

Session 3: Monday, July 10--Thursday, July 13; 8:30am-1:30pm

• Monday: So All May Eat (S.A.M.E.)
• Tuesday: 4-H Schoolyard Habitats Outreach & Diaper Bank at York River Academy
• Wednesday: Virginia Peninsula Foodbank
• Thursday: The Gardens at Warwick Forest

Session 4: Monday, July 24--Thursday, July 27; 8:30am-1:30pm [FULL]

Session 5: Monday, July 31--Thursday, August 3 [FULL]

VB Session 1: Monday, July 10--Thursday, July 13 (9:00am - 2:00pm)

• Virginia Beach/Norfolk
• Locations to be announced by June 1st; check website for updates

VB Session 2: Monday, July 31--Thursday, August 3 (9:00am - 2:00pm)

• Virginia Beach/Norfolk
• Locations to be announced by June 1st; check website for updates

Introducing Kiley!

YVCHR's New Program Director for the Southside

In response to the ever-increasing demand for service-learning opportunities for youth, we are excited to announce the addition of our newest team member, Kiley! She will lead the Southside program at our satellite operation in Virginia Beach. Kiley brings years of volunteer experience, event planning and community networking to this role. She also has a passion for youth programming and has been a YVC team leader since 2022.

Interested in learning more? Email vbprograms@yvchr.org.

GREAT NEWS! We are streamlining our process for project sign-ups!

Registration for service projects will now be done through YDAT. This will require all youth volunteers to create a YDAT profile. We have provided a step-by-step guide to help you through this process (click here!).

There is currently a TEST PROJECT (scheduled for July 1st) available volunteers to test out their new YDAT account! IMPORTANT: This is not a real project. However, we would like ALL YOUTH VOLUNTEERS to use this "fake project" to establish an account in YDAT and then practice signing up for a project. All youth who register for the TEST PROJECT as of July 1st will be entered into a drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card! Winners will be announced in the JULY NEWSLETTER.

Note: If you had a YDAT account previously, please create a NEW PROFILE and then EMAIL programdirector@yvchr.org to let us know. We'll merge your accounts so that any completed service hours from past projects will be transferred to your new YDAT profile.

Note: Parents are able to create multiple accounts for siblings under the same family account. This will allow parents to receive all information to the same email address; managing project sign-ups, confirmations, and event details just got a little easier!

Upcoming Service Opportunities

Click the project links below for more information about each service opportunity. Some projects have special requirements/considerations, so please read carefully.

Check out the PROJECT CALENDAR on our website and be sure to sign up when new projects are posted! Volunteer spots go fast!

Ensure you receive timely project confirmations and informational emails by adding programdirector@yvchr.org to your contact safelist.

 Click here for Safelist directions!

You can see our youth volunteers in action by following us

on Facebook and Instagram!

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