We’re on a mission to
make working together for the common good the common expectation and common experience of every young person.
At Youth Service America, we believe that youth, communities, and democracy thrive when we all work together for the common good.
Youth Service Briefing
Youth Service Briefing 4.25.24
36th Annual Global Youth Service Day Celebrates Youth Changing the World
Youth Service Briefing 4.18.24
One Week Until Global Youth Service Day!
Youth Service Briefing 4.11.24
Register New & Future Voters on GYSD 2024 – April 26-28
What We Do
Even though youth participation rates are at or near record-high levels, we’re still leaving 3 of every 4 young people out, and participation rates are even lower among youth from underserved, historically excluded low-income communities and communities of color.
YSA is working to change that.
50% Youth Participation by America250
In July 2021, YSA launched the 50% Youth Participation by America250 campaign to focus all our programs and partnerships on increasing youth participation rates to 50% by America 250 on July 4, 2026, on the way to 100% a decade later so that no one is left out of participating in our democracy.
Campaigns & Events
Through National Days of Service (Global Youth Service Day, 9/11 Day of Service, and MLK Day of Service), ServiceVote, Add Service, and Semester & Summer of Service, YSA activates young people, ages 5-25, to find their voice, take action, and acquire powerful civic and 21st Century skills as they solve problems facing their communities.
Program Support
YSA supports its activation campaigns with grants for partner organizations & youth-led projects, resources & trainings, and recognition & storytelling programs for young people and their adult partners. Youth-led projects use Awareness, Service, Advocacy, and Philanthropy (ASAP) strategies to change the world.
Campaigns & Events
YSA activates young people, ages 5-25, to find their voice, take action, and acquire powerful civic and 21st Century skills as they solve problems facing their communities. Over the last 10 years, YSA’s campaigns & events engaged more than 3.2 million young people in service.
National Days of Service
Volunteering as a child is an expressway to civic participation and days of service are on-ramps to volunteering, especially for first-time volunteers. National Days of Service are perfect opportunities to ask youth to get involved.
ServiceVote
The ServiceVote campaign asks young people to help register, educate, and get their peers out to vote; to connect their volunteering and service to voting and advocacy on the issues they care about; and to call on public officials to create spaces at every decision-making table for young voices.
Add Service
Research shows – and experience proves – that young people who belong to one of America’s great youth development organizations, participate in an afterschool program, or are part of an extracurricular team, club, or group have the best chance of volunteering, voting, and giving now and in the future.
Program Support
YSA supports its activation campaigns & events with grants, training & resources, and recognition programs for young people and their adult partners. Youth-led projects use Awareness, Service, Advocacy, and Philanthropy (ASAP) strategies to change the world.
YSA Grants
YSA provides grant funding to support state & local partner organizations and youth-led projects. Over the last 10 years, YSA awarded over $5.8 million in grants to our partners and youth project leaders.
Resources & Trainings
Planning a service or service-learning project? The YSA Knowledge Center has a variety of resources and trainings to prepare both youth and adults.
Recognition & Storytelling
Through the Everyday Young Hero and Harris Wofford Awards programs, we share the stories of our amazing youth and partners with the world.