Governor Granholm Declares 2010 Global Youth Service Day

Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) is an annual campaign that celebrates and mobilizes the millions of children and youth who improve their communities each day through service and service-learning.  Established in 1988, GYSD is now celebrated in more than 100 countries.  On GYSD, children and youth address the world's most critical issues in partnership with families, schools, community and faith-based organizations, businesses, and governments. 

Global Youth Service Day is organized by Youth Service America with State Farm Companies Foundation as the Presenting Sponsor.  In Michigan, efforts are lead by the Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC) and Learn and Serve - Michigan, a GYSD Lead Agency.

"Engaging young people in service is so important," said Paula Kaiser VanDam, MCSC Executive Director.  "Our Global Youth Service Day Lead Agency efforts have cultivated 22 service projects engaging more than 1,415 youth this spring."

Some of those projects include:

• The MCSC joined with the Lansing Board of Water and Light and Impression 5 Science Center for the 2010 Adopt A River on Sunday, April 18.  As part of their involvement, the MCSC and its volunteers engaged more than 100 youth in attendance by encouraging them to participate in long-term service to the community and become lifelong environmental stewards. Adopt A River - Lansing
  
• Nearly 50 volunteers, comprised of Detroit-area youth, University of Michigan students, and community members, gave service on Saturday, April 3 to the Woodbridge Community Center.  Projects included tilling, weeding, and overall clean up. ACTS Garden Day - Detroit
  
• Students from Covert Public Schools will gather on Thursday, April 22 to clean up trash in the community and connect with neighborhoods about the importance of recycling and being eco-friendly. Community Clean-Up - Covert
  
• Members of the Ionia Kids Club will come together on Friday, April 23 to clean up downtown Ionia.  Their service efforts will include sweeping sidewalks and picking up trash - thanks to the help of more than 18 volunteers. Sweep the Streets - Ionia
  
• Fifteen members of Alanson High School's Student Council will help clean up the community on Friday, April 23 by weeding gardens, sanding and painting benches, and clearing debris. Park Clean-Up - Alanson
  
• Students at Bates Academy in Detroit are conducting a school-wide clean-up on Saturday, April 24.  Those involved will clean up trash and plant flowers, among other things. School-Wide Clean-Up - Detroit
  

For a map of all Michigan projects, or additional information, visit There are many other youth-driven service opportunities occurring across the state in the coming weeks for Global Youth Service Day. www.gysd.org .

The Michigan Community Service Commission builds a culture of service by providing vision and resources to strengthen communities through volunteerism.  In 2009-10, the MCSC is granting more than $8.5 million in federal funds to local communities for volunteer programs and activities.  The MCSC is funding 19 AmeriCorps programs and 20 Learn and Serve programs.  The Governor's Service Awards and Mentor Michigan are also premier programs of the MCSC.  The MCSC is housed in the Michigan Department of Human Services, whose mission is to assist children, families, and vulnerable adults to be safe, stable, and self-supporting.  The Corporation for National and Community Service grants the federal funding the MCSC administers. BACKGROUND