The HOPE worldwide National Youth Advisory Council’s Spring 2014 Signature Youth Service Day (SYSD) was created as a means to bring the enthusiasm and the heart of service embodied in youth programs such as HOPE Youth Corps to local ministries. Creating a culture of service in the teen and campus ministries is a main goal of the NYAC, so they set out to put the “YOU” back in YOUTH. On the weekends of April 26, May 3 and May 10, hundreds of volunteers took to the streets of 12 U.S. cities and Canada to address the needs directly challenging their communities. With the unified goal of youth led service, NYAC members coordinated plans, rallied volunteers and with an incredible amount of support and prayer, sought to pour God’s love out to those in need.
Approximately 400 young volunteers joined in the SYSD to give of their time and hearts as a reminder that serving others is always within reach. The hearts of SYSD participants were moved as they made connections with the hungry, the poor, the elderly, the sick, the disaster-struck and the brokenhearted. The NYAC realizes that with God’s help, the impact of one day of service does not end with that single day. Lasting partnerships were created, volunteers’ hearts were challenged to give themselves wholly, and those being served were shown love as tomorrow’s leaders took on the responsibility to make a difference where they live.
Athens, GA – Athens Stomp Against Poverty (ASAP) partnered with four organizations to serve on a multi-faceted project, meeting diverse community needs. With the Athens Community Council and Senior Home Assistance and Repair, volunteers spent quality time with seniors, bringing them flowers and repairing some of their homes. With the East Athens Community Center and Athens Food Bank, ASAP volunteers partook in cleanup projects and food distribution. Finally, the group shared a donated meal together in fellowship.
Boynton Beach, FL – Volunteers gathered at the Caridad Soup Kitchen to serve those in need. In addition to helping serve food, volunteers played games and activities with children that visited the kitchen.
Charlotte, NC – The Charlotte Church of Christ hosts an annual Walk-A-Thon as a fundraiser for the congregation’s benevolence collection. In order to improve relations between younger kids in the church with teens and campus students, “Buddy Walkers” was conceptualized to form mentoring relationships as preteens and younger each paired with a teen or campus student to walk the 5K. Following the event, the walkers joined for a brief worship service. The event was specifically geared towards strengthening relationships, creating mentoring roles and providing funds to give to those in need.
Indianapolis, IN – SYSD volunteers planned a fun day with the kids at the Keenan-Stahl Boys and Girls Club of Indianapolis. The kids formed teams and participated in icebreakers and games. Volunteers had a great time getting to know the youth and seeing the children form bonds with their teams.
Lawrence, KS – As a two-fold service project, volunteers collected food and clothing donations for a homeless shelter and met at the Habitat for Humanity Restore to sort donations. Working on the donation front as well as behind the scenes to organize collected donations demonstrated to volunteers the various facets of service and that making a connection helps make a difference.
Mount Vernon, NY – The Westhab PEAK Center provides an after-school program for children aged three to 18 that live 200% below the poverty level. Prior to visiting with the youth at the PEAK Center, volunteers from Westchester, Hudson Valley and Harlem collected food, toiletries and clothes to supply them with necessities. Besides helping the children meet basic needs, volunteers enjoyed engaging the PEAK participants with presentations on wellness and the creation of artwork.
Newark, NJ – Volunteers joined kindergarten through eighth-grade aged children as they came with their families to Camden Street School’s Literacy Lunch, occurring weekly throughout the spring. To increase literacy, the educational aspect of the program involves reading to or with the participants. Volunteers also served the students food and got to know them by playing games, watching student performances and watching videos together. Finally, those in attendance painted a mural of a tree, signifying unity, family and connection within the community. Everyone took part and painted their hands and placed them on the tree, creating its leaves. The Literacy Lunch is a great way to make reading fun, teaching children that learning has no limits.
Ocean County, CA– Volunteers from Orange County and Los Angeles partnered with Giving Children Hope (GCH) and spent hours gleaning in an artichoke field. The gleaning resulted in the harvest of 800 pounds of artichokes. With the help of GCH’s program called “We’ve Got Your Back,” the food will be packaged and sent to about 1,500 families in Orange County.
A second activity held in Orange County utilized a partnership with Love Community Outreach, allowing teens and preteens to serve local families in economic need. Those requiring aid to feed themselves or their families can come to the storage warehouse and take goods for the week. Volunteers helped recipients gather their goods and help them to their cars. While adults gathered necessities, other volunteers played with their kids, playing games, sports and even painting faces.
Philadelphia, PA – Volunteers served and spent time at a teen shelter with youth in need. A grocery store donated a bountiful meal that was shared with residents. Since the volunteers and residents were peers it allowed for great fellowship. The volunteers have plans to return and develop long-term relationships.
Toronto, Canada – Family conflict, mental health issues and addiction all contribute to the problem of teen homelessness in Toronto. Volunteers met at the Horizons for Youth shelter that helps homeless youth recognize their potential and set them up for success in society. As a group, volunteers and residents ate, performed, played games and got to know each other as they spent a day giving love and encouragement.
Union Beach, NJ – Sandy, the super storm that devastated the coast of New Jersey over 18 months ago, did more than destroy one in every three homes in Union Beach. The SPARK Saturday Academy that takes place at a local elementary school is an arts resiliency program for kids who still carry the emotional burden of the storm. In the SPARK arts class, children painted images that bring them hope on the exterior of sinks. Volunteers of all ages gathered to plant flowers in the sinks that are displayed around town as part of a beautification effort that brings unity and joy to residents.
The NYAC will again be bringing service to a neighborhood near you this September 11, with our Fall SYSD. Please join us in making a difference as we individually say: “I will pledge to perform a good deed on 9/11” and collectively say: We will make a difference in our communities. We will encourage others to lend a hand. We will help those in need. We will show gratitude to first responders. We will give the glory to God. We will serve. Who’s with us?
