Children For Children® Chosen As Lead Agency For Global Youth Service Day Efforts Alongside New York Youth

NEW YORK, NY (11/07/2007)(readMedia)-- Children for Children (CFC), a New York-based nonprofit that helps children __Grow Involved!_® _through a multitude of service-learning projects, programs, and events, will mobilize more than 12,000 young people to participate in the 20th Annual Global Youth Service Day, Friday, April 25 through Sunday, April 27, 2008, around New York State. Sponsored by State Farm Companies Foundation, millions of youth in the United States and in more than 100 countries plan simultaneous service events and service-learning projects to celebrate Global Youth Service Day.

Last year, New York youth hosted Global Youth Service Day events that addressed issues through projects that included a community center hosting a healthy living awareness fair, students making solar ovens for women in Darfur, and teens designing coloring books to educate children on environmental conservation.

“Youth are the world’s greatest assets,” Maggie Jones, executive director of Children for Children, said. “Global Youth Service Day is an opportunity for future leaders to put ideas into action and for their voices to be heard.”

This year, CFC will expand the event to reach youth and communities beyond the five boroughs of New York City. As Lead Agency for New York State, CFC will partner with youth bureaus, nonprofits, and youth agencies around the state and provide support as these groups plan projects for Global Youth Service Day.

The teen leaders of Children for Children’s Youth Planning Committee, a group that meets monthly to discuss and address global issues through service, are particularly excited about the statewide expansion of Global Youth Service Day.

“Teens my age have great ideas and plans for the future, and Global Youth Service Day is one of the best ways for us to come together and make something good happen,” Connie Tsang, a member of CFC’s Youth Planning Committee, said.

Tsang, a high school senior, has been involved with CFC’s Youth Planning Committee for two years.

“It’s incredible that so many kids and teens will be coming together on this one day in April to serve, but even more than that, I think it’s incredible that all of these projects will be planned and led by us—the youth,” Tsang said.

“It is a distinct honor to work with such amazing organizations. Their leadership increases the scale and visibility of youth service year-round, and helps youth in America play a lead role in learning about community needs, while giving their time, energy, commitment, and idealism,” said Steve Culbertson, president and CEO of Youth Service America. “Millions of young people serving together on Global Youth Service Day performing strategic service sends a powerful message of hope and healing around the globe,” Culbertson added.

Youth Service America and Children for Children will provide resources such as toolkits to agencies and organizations hosting Global Youth Service Day programs. Toolkits will assist organizations and youth plan projects step by step. Children for Children will also offer mini-grants to groups that qualify.

“When I look around and see all the great ideas youth have, as well as the initiative they take, I know that our global community is in good hands, not only today, but also tomorrow” Jones said.

For more information about local events or to get involved, please contact:

Mark Moravits

Children for Children

212.850.4170

mark@childrenforchildren.org

Founded in 1996, Children for Children® promotes hands-on youth volunteering and giving programs that teach and instill the value of community involvement and civic engagement in children from all backgrounds, beginning at a young age. For more information, visit www.childrenforchildren.org or call 212.850.4170.

A program of Youth Service America, Global Youth Service is the largest youth service event in the world. Global Youth Service Day is a year-round effort to expand the impact of the youth service movement. The initiative launches new service organizations, policy changes, and sustainable service programs to create a culture of engaged youth. State Farm Companies Foundation is the presenting sponsor. More than 120 national partners and 75 lead agencies throughout the United States organize campaigns. Overseas, national lead agencies in more than 100 countries participate.

About State Farm: State Farm® insures more cars than any other insurer in North America and is the leading U.S. home insurer. State Farm's 17,000 agents and 68,000 employees serve over 75 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and more than 1.7 million bank accounts. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 31 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit statefarm.com® or in Canada statefarm.ca®. Youth Service America is an international nonprofit resource center that partners with thousands of organizations in more than 100 countries and is committed to increasing the quality and quantity of volunteer opportunities for young people ages 5-25, to serve locally, nationally, and globally. Founded in 1986, Youth Service America’s mission is to expand the impact of the youth service movement with communities, schools, corporations, and governments. For more information: www.YSA.org.

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Posted Wednesday November 07, 2007 at 11:33 am by Children for Children