YouthServe

Leadership councilsclose to one hundred youth from over thirty schools completed an academic year of activity through the youth action council and youth philanthropy councils. Both councils serve to convene youth from different backgrounds and experiences to discuss challenges in their communities and how to address them through the service of time and financial investment. They learn valuable skills such as project management, budgeting, conflict management, team communication, and leadership. The youth action council completed two service projects as a large group and four small-group service projects. The philanthropy council successfully distributed $20,000 in grant funding made available to them through the joseph s. bruno charitable foundation.

In-school service educationthe service education program continues to evolve post-covid and saw a marked increase in 2023. Service education is requested by schools, often by teachers or guidance counselors and is presented to entire classes during classroom instruction time. Over 750 students participated in this introduction to community engagement and service. In addition, two changemaker groups participated in year-round, regularly-attended leadership programs outside of classroom instruction time at ramsay high school and trace crossings school.

Community service and summer programmingregular community service events open to any youth are held at least once a month, but often many opportunities are available each month. In 2023, over 800 youth registered to participate in community service events. In addition, new summer programming was launched, which introduced seventeen community service projects conducted in locations across the metro area. Over two hundred youth participated from over forty schools, providing over seven hundred service hours. In addition, they participated in sustainability workshops, toured the uab sustainability program, learned about recycling, upcycling clothes, and to be better stewards of their planet.