Check out your local events to see how you can help.
This weekend is Global Youth Service Day and Atlanta is joining in to lend a helping hand. Over 20 events are scheduled throughtout the metro Atlanta area for youth to sign up and give their time.
Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) began in 1988, when 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 Service.” Nearly 1,000 programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia participated. State Farm is the presenting sponsor of the cause marketing event, now in its 22nd year.
The mission of GYSD is to encourage and engage youth to participate in the embetterment of their neighborhoods. Organizations provide experiences for the youth to identify and address the needs of their communities. It is also a great opportunity for media and policy makers to promote and raise awareness of the positive actions of young people and their contributions to their communities.
Becoming involved in community service at a young age has proven to be beneficial to both organizations and the individuals, as it creates a rewarding lifelong pattern of service. Early hands-on volunteering, such as GYSD, fosters a culture of philanthropy that is vital to the sustainment and viability of non-profits. Youth volunteerism often leads to an enhanced understanding of social problems, as well as better performance in school. It also helps develop a sense of community and serves as a character-building experience. The long-term benefits include a lifetime of citizenship, service, and philanthropic thoughts and actions.
So, take this weekend to gather your friends or the youth in your community to give back in a fun and exciting way.
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