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The Michigan Community Service Commission is encouraging Michiganders to volunteer during April, National Volunteer Month.
To support volunteers, The Michigan Community Service Commission today announced it will fund 58 Global Youth Service Day volunteer projects engaging nearly 5,000 volunteers who will serve to benefit Michigan communities. Projects include providing child-size masks to youth, planting community gardens and meeting other community needs.
"It is really important that young people contribute to the community they live in. Volunteering helps foster a lifelong passion for helping others," Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II said. "Global Youth Service Day is a great time to celebrate youth who are not only serving, but leading volunteer efforts and using their voice to support community needs."
The Michigan Community Service Commission is awarding $24,800 in grants to organizations ranging from $100 to $1,000 to engage youth in service. Funding has also been provided by AmeriCorps and Youth Service America partners.
"Youth volunteerism is one of the critical pillars for the state to support community efforts and impact change. Youth voice needs to be part of the equation in solving the challenges of our communities," said Michigan Community Service Commission Executive Director Ginna Holmes.
Global Youth Service Day, April 23-25, falls during National Volunteer Week, April 18-24.
"We encourage everyone to find a way to serve others this month," Holmes said.
The Global Youth Service Day projects are happening in communities across the state, some of which need volunteers.
|
Organization |
Date |
Description |
Contact to volunteer |
|
Allen Neighborhood Center, Lansing |
April 23, 26 |
This project is to feed those in need through planting, growing and harvesting an extra row of specific vegetables for local food banks and soup kitchens. |
|
|
Ashley Community Schools, Ashley |
April 16-30 |
The project will create and provide an outdoor classroom area that allows students to discover and learn in an environmental setting. |
|
|
Habitat for Humanity Give Hope Disaster Relief Program, Jackson |
April 16-30 |
The project will be a student-led initiative to work on the landscape of a home for a family in need. |
|
|
Michener Elementary, Adrian |
April 19 |
The project will create vegetable gardens on the school playground where students can grow plants, harvest, and eat the produce they grow. |
|
|
T ROSE Foundation, Lansing |
April 20-25 |
Youth of various nationalities will lead a dialogue on Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion after viewing the documentary "PushOut." |
Theresa Randleman 616-275-0878 |
|
Alcona Community Middle School, Lincoln |
April 21 |
Students will be cleaning State Park Beach, campground, and surrounding areas; building bird and butterfly homes and shelters; and planting native plants in the gardens to sustain Michigan's natural habitat. |
|
|
Alcona Community Middle School, Lincoln |
April 21 |
Students will be participating in a can and bottle drive in the community to raise money for the animal shelter, clean the shelter grounds, plant gardens, and interact with the animals. |
|
|
Caro Alternative High School, Caro |
April 23 |
Students will learn about healthy futures, community, sustainability, goal setting, and how to properly plant a tree. |
|
|
Jefferson Middle School Leadership and Culture Club, Midland |
April 24 |
Volunteers will pot 100 flowers or vegetables for individual families that were affected by the May 2020 floods in Sanford. |
|
|
LatinX Technology & Community Center, Flint |
April 24 |
LatinX Flint aims to teach youth the importance of becoming environmental stewards through hands-on projects including planting, recycling, painting and cleaning around the LatinX Center. |
Vanessa Alvarez, info@latinxflint.org 810-715-5050 https://www.geneseeserves.org/need/detail/?need_id=579137 |
|
Reid Elementary, Goodrich |
April 16 |
Students will complete service projects for various community organizations: decorating pillowcases; making placemats; painting and planting flowerpots; making small lap blankets; writing/drawing kind messages on coffee sleeves. |
|
|
United Way of Bay County, Bay City |
April 23 |
Youth volunteers will distribute garden kits to low-income families to encourage increased access to healthy foods and self-sustainability. |
|
|
USA FFA, Sebewaing |
April 28 |
Youth volunteers will implement a bee and butterfly garden at the Unionville-Sebewaing Area High School's common grounds to educate students on the conservation of bees and on the growth and care of such a habitat. |
Jasmine McClatchie, mcclatcj@think-usa.org 989-325-1537 |
|
Battle Creek Public Schools, Battle Creek |
April 22-26 |
Students are starting a community garden project, and the harvest will be distributed to the tables of those in the Battle Creek community. |
Meridith Shabani, mshabani@battle-creek.k12.mi.us 269-317-7950 |
|
Black Autonomy Network Community Organization, Benton Harbor |
April 23 |
Youth volunteers will assemble COVID-19 care packages, then distribute the care packages and water. |
Rev. Edward Pinkney, banco9342@sbcglobal.net 269-369-8257 |
|
Bloomingdale Public Schools, Bloomingdale |
April 16-30 |
Students and teachers to will label 100 items in both English and Spanish, to help young language learners read bilingually. |
Kathleen Kroll, kkroll@vbisd.org 269-697-1649 |
|
Gull Lake Gateway Academy, Richland |
April 28 |
Students will assemble baskets with handmade gifts and treats, floral arrangements, cards, small gift items and packaged snacks to be delivered by a vaccinated staff member to veterans at The Laurels in Bedford. |
|
|
Heart of West Michigan United Way, Grand Rapids |
April 16-30 |
Students will have supplies provided for making seed balls - mixtures of dirt, clay, seeds and water - to create a hard shell around seeds and protect them while they grow. |
|
|
Kent Transition Center (Kent ISD), Grand Rapids |
April 23 |
Students will make banners, posters, care packages, and cards for residents at the local Veteran's Home. |
|
|
Volunteer Resource Center of Newaygo County, Fremont |
April 17 |
Youth volunteers will plant trees at partner sites around Newaygo County, including Newaygo County parks. |
Caitlin Voyt, cvoyt@campnewaygo.org |
|
Networks Northwest, Cadillac Junior High School Jobs for Michigan's Graduates (JMG) Program, Traverse City |
April 19-23 |
JMG specialists provide counseling, skill development, advocacy, career association, and experiential learning opportunities in the classroom 3 days a week to get youth plugged into the community through community service. |
|
|
YouthWork, a program of Child & Family Services of Northwest Michigan, Traverse City |
April 19-22 |
Activities to be completed include: trail development and rehab, invasive species removal, spring cleanup, COVID-19 cleaning, deferred maintenance including landscaping and gardening, beach cleanup and improvements. |
Amanda Scott 231-946-8975 (x1139) |
|
Lake Superior Academy, Sault Ste Marie |
April 16-30 |
Youth volunteers will work with members of the Little Traverse Conservancy to clear paths for hiking, install boardwalks, and clear brush and small trees from areas used for foot traffic. |
Jodi Caldwell, jodicaldwell@choiceschools.com |
|
Marquette Alger Technical Middle College (MATMC), Marquette |
April 17 |
Students from MATMC will focus on gardening prep and beautification at the Home for Veterans. |
|
|
Sault Area High School, Sault Ste Marie |
April 16 |
Students will spread awareness about the effects COVID has had on mental health. Presentations will include information on mental illness, the causes of mental illness, including causes related to COVID, and safe ways to cope such as coloring or meditation. |
|
|
Sault Area High School, Sault Ste Marie |
April 24 |
Students will make dog treats, buy food and toys, and other items on the local animal shelter's wish list. |
|
|
Sault Area High School and Career Center, Sault Ste Marie |
April 16, 19, 23 |
Volunteers will read books, physical or online, to kindergarten classes via Zoom or Google Meet. |
|
|
United Way of the Eastern Upper Peninsula, Sault Ste Marie |
April 26-30 |
Craft kits will be provided to schools, after school programs, and other organizations to decorate. The completed crafts will be distributed throughout the community. |
Kenzi Nottingham, kenzi@unitedwayeup.org |
|
UP Michigan Works, Marquette |
April 16-30 |
Local communities in the U.P. will be asked to donate well cared for second-hand professional clothing over a two-week period. Youth volunteers will fold, organize and package donated items. |
Thomas Cory, tcory@upmichiganworks.org 906-362-5589 |
|
Bridge Builders Counseling & Mentoring, Port Huron |
April 18 |
Student volunteers will be assisting in installing items in cabins and bathrooms and making the camp COVID-friendly for all guests and campers in preparation for the THRIVE program in summer. |
|
|
Fleece and Thank You, Farmington Hills |
April 17, 24 |
Over 200 youth and their families will participate in a virtual event to make fleece blankets and provide support and comfort to 500 kids battling illness in hospitals across Michigan. |
info@fleeceandthankyou.org Fleece and Thank You Registration |
|
Houghton Elementary School, White Lake |
April 16-30 |
The Houghton Elementary Care Club engages fourth and fifth graders in making fleece tie blankets for members of the community when requested by a student or staff member. |
|
|
Madison Elementary School, Madison Heights |
April 21 |
Student council will work to begin a school garden in an enclosed courtyard. Students will work to beautify the area while researching plants, fruits or vegetables that will grow well in the climate. |
|
|
AmeriCorps Urban Safety Program, Detroit |
April 24 |
Youth and their families will be responsible for cleaning up nuisance lots in the Southwest Detroit area, painting planter boxes and planting flowers and shrubbery. |
Jonathan Hondorp| |
|
Bennie Elementary School, Allen Park |
April 19-23 |
Students K-5 will engage in various acts of service: making cards or artwork for senior citizens, decorating exteriors of local businesses, improving outdoor learning center, and making masks through the Michigan Masks Project. |
|
|
Clark Park Coalition, Detroit |
April 24 |
Youth will help clean up the park and pick up trash. |
313-841-8534 |
|
Destined for Greatness Mentoring, Detroit |
April 15-24 |
Youth volunteers will adopt their neighborhood block and clean up trash, yards, and other blight. Youth will receive community service hours and public recognition from City of Detroit officials. |
Shadora Ford |
|
Detroit Police Athletic League, Detroit |
April 24 |
Youth volunteers will create no-sew blankets, birthday cards and introduction letters to build a relationship between the youth and senior citizens in the community. |
Kira Borum, kborum@detroitpal.org 313-715-1033 |
|
Forsythe Middle School Garden Club, Ann Arbor |
April 23 |
Student volunteers will be weeding out the school courtyard/garden, learning about plants, and adding compost to existing beds to prep them for planting an edible garden. |
|
|
Girl Scout Troop 71587, Detroit |
April 17 |
Participating girls will clean the local park by picking up trash, creating a recycling bin for plastic bottles, and creating a container garden. |
|
|
Knabusch Math & Science Center, Monroe |
April 24 |
Youth volunteers will clean-up the grounds along Lake Erie, create food source for the local wildlife, and assemble bird houses and feeders. |
Nicole Shaughnessy, shaughnessy@monroe.k12.mi.us, Facebook: @KnabuschCenter |
|
Loyola High School, Detroit |
April 29 |
Youth volunteers will design a community garden, plant seeds, and maintain watering and weeding as needed. |
|
|
Peace Tree Parks, Redford |
April 24 |
Youth volunteers will prepare land for a third community garden by cutting down dead trees, cutting grass, building up to 10 new garden beds, and planting bushes to improve curb appeal. |
Eric Andrews, Info@PeaceTreeParks.org, 313-282-0135 |
|
Robichaud High School Interact Club, Dearborn Heights |
April 19-30 |
Youth volunteers will remove debris and clean outdoor courtyard to create socially distanced outdoor spaces for students and staff to enjoy. |
Tanisha Bolden, boldent@wwschools.net 313-565-8851 Volunteers must contact 48 hours prior to event |
|
Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision, Detroit |
April 16-30 |
Volunteers will create birdhouses at home to provide additional habitats and promote wildlife diversity in Detroit. |
Dolores Perales |
|
The Lawn Academy, Detroit |
April 24 |
Youth volunteers will create a commemorative garden to honor the men and women of the Detroit Police Department 10th Precinct. |
Mepa Rahman |
|
Urban Neighborhood Initiatives, Detroit |
April 17-18, |
Youth will participate in a workshop that informs youth and community participants on the importance of healthy soil to create healthy growth within a community garden to provide sustainable, edible food within the community. |
Katie Michelon 707-320-8567 |
|
Youth Energy Squad (YES) |
April 19-24 |
Youth will connect place-based environmental stewardship with the impact of homelessness by collecting used plastic chip bags and upcycling them into comfortable and secure sleeping bags for local Detroiters impacted by homelessness. |
Bryan Lewis 248-722-3633 |