September 28, 2017 | Volume 24, No. 38
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  See How Youth Are Standing Strong Against Disasters
Your Vote Decides How Much $$$ Each Project Receives
We challenged you to propose creative and innovative ideas to stand strong against disasters like hurricanes and wildfires by providing immediate relief to those affected by recent disasters, supporting long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts, and helping prepare your own communities for disasters. 
 
We selected 12 finalists, and now your vote decides how much each project will receive! We'll award 3 grants of $1,000, 3 grants of $500, 3 grants of $250, and 3 grants of $100 to the finalists based on the number of votes each receives by 11:59pm ET next Wednesday, October 4. 
 
Watch the finalists' videos, read about their proposed projects, and vote for your favorites (by clicking the thumbs up icon on their project page) at www.YSA.org/standstrongvoting  
Last Chance to Apply for a $500 Disney Be Inspired Grant to Support Your Youth-Led Volunteer Activities This Fall  
 
In Case You Missed It... This Week on ABC's American Housewife  
   
This week's "Back to School" episode of American Housewife featured mom Katie and dad Greg leading by example and volunteering to run the school's spring gala and serve on the recycling committee. Watch the episode here and keep up with #AmericanHousewife Wednesdays at 9:30e|8:30c on ABC.
 
Disney is committed to strengthening communities around the world through volunteerism and wants to know what you're going to do to help make your community healthier, greener, and stronger - creating a brighter tomorrow. This fall, Disney, through YSA, will offer $500 Disney Be Inspired grants to kids to implement volunteer projects in their community from November through MLK Day of Service in January. 
  
Visit www.YSA.org/BeInspired to apply for a $500 Disney Be Inspired Grant. All youth in the United States, ages 5-18, are eligible to apply through September 30, 2017. Youth can also apply on behalf of a class, an afterschool program, or a group in a youth development or community-based organization. 4-H, After-School All-Stars, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Clubs, Camp Fire, FCCLA, Girls Inc., Girl Scouts, The Y (YMCA), and YWCA groups are especially encouraged to apply.
UPCOMING SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

  
Imagine the Future: Youth Video Challenge
Arthur C. Clarke used film and storytelling to explore what the future will look like. Using his inspiration, we challenge you to do the same. Imagine the world in 2042. What do you see? Develop an imaginative solution that can be practically applied to a problem that you believe needs solving today so that the world by 2042 is better for it. This innovation can be in science, technology, art, or design. Produce a 3-5 minute video in which you demonstrate how you, or you and others, will bring change to the world and co nvince viewers with your video. Let your imagination run wild; the results might just be out of this world. Submit your video by October 20. 
 
Six finalists (three between the ages of 11-14 and three between the ages of 15-18) will receive: a round-trip ticket for 1 child and 1 adult, hotel, and expenses for 3-day trip to Washington, DC; insider tours of Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum and other DC sites; screening of their films at the Arthur C. Clarke Foundation Centenary Event on December 9th, 2017; and a scholarship award of $2500, $1000, or $500. Learn more here. 
 
Plan Ahead...
GRANTS & AWARDS

Deadline: October 11

Are you planning to host a Jewish teen service project in your community next spring (2018) and looking for additional funding to help amplify your event? Look no further: the J-Serve 2018 Community Grant Application is now live and available to all Jewish organizations working to build service experiences engaging Jewish teens in grades 6 through 12. Large (up to $3,600) and mid-sized (up to $1,800) grant applications are due by October 11th, so don't wait - apply today!


Deadline: October 31
YSA is partnering with Hasbro's signature philanthropic initiative, BE FEARLESS BE KIND, to encourage young people to stand up for others, include everyone, and take action when they see a problem. YSA and Hasbro will award BE FEARLESS BE KIND Grants of $500, $1,000, or $2,000 to nonprofit organizations and K-12 schools (public, private, and independent) in the United States to support high quality, youth-led community projects that take place between September 18 - December 15, 2017. Applications will be accepted and grants awarded on a rolling basis until October 31, 2017 at 5 PM Eastern time. Learn more and apply at www.YSA.org/BFBKGrants

Deadline: February 1, 2018

Find your purpose at http://www.purposechallenge.org and win up to $25,000 for college! The Purpose Challenge toolkit helps high school seniors explore and identify their purpose - infusing what they learn about themselves into their 2017-2018 college applications. They can enter that essay in a contest; six students will win prizes ranging from $5,000 to $25,000.

STORIES OF SERVICE
Juli Ennis, Jason Albaum, and Colby Ellis (Kennebunk, Maine) started a community service project in 8th grade that has continued through their sophomore year in high school. They connect generations through music and provide seniors with dementia or Alzheimer's music therapy via customized playlists of their generation. Part of their mission is to help patients by triggering memories, bringing joy, and engaging people who might otherwise be completely withdrawn.

The three founded Project Playback with the goal of bridging the gap between today's youth and seniors through music. Not only does this project help patients with dementia, but it also allows today's youth to connect with a population and era that they may not have had a relationship with before. They visit a local nursing home 2 or 3 times a week to help them out through music. They are truly compassionate and passionate about their mission so they have joined with United Way to try to expand their program by including additional senior care facilities and speaking at youth activation events. Additionally, Juli is looking to enter the field of music therapy as a career

Do you know a young person, age 5-25 that is creating extraordinary change in your community?   Nominate   them for an Everyday Young Hero award.
SERVICE SONG OF THE WEEK
"Redemption Song" - Bob Marley 

 
 
"We forward in this generation
Triumphantly
Won't you help to sing
These songs of freedom?
'Cause all I ever have
Redemption songs."
 
 
 
 
The complete Service Songs of the Week playlist from 2012-2017 is on YouTube at http://bit.ly/servicesongs and Spotify at www.YSA.org/Spotify 
 
Thank you to YSA's sponsors who make our work possible: