Media Room Resources

Below are quick links to information about Global Youth Service Day, the largest volunteer event in the world. GYSD is held during a weekend every April. In 2009, the event will be April 24-26. GYSD is celebrated in over 100 countries in every region of the world.

Please contact:

Brandon Gryde
Director of Communications, YSA
202-296-2992 x 128
Brandon@ysa.org

For media inquiries

Quick Facts

  • Global Youth Service Day is the largest service event in the world.
  • Millions of youth will participate in the 21st Annual Global Youth Service Day on April 24-26, 2009.
  • Over the past 19 years, Global Youth Service Day has brought together more than 37 million people in thousands of communities worldwide.
  • The goals of Global Youth Service Day are:
    a. To MOBILIZE youth to identify and address the needs of their communities through service.
    b. To SUPPORT youth on a life-long path of service and civic engagement.
    c. To EDUCATE the public, the media, and policymakers about the year-round contributions of young people as community leaders
  • On Global Youth Service Day, a public awareness and education campaign that highlights the amazing contributions that young people make to their communities 365 days a year, young people will design and lead service-learning projects in areas ranging from literacy and the environment, to healthcare, hunger, and help for the elderly.
  • State Farm Companies Foundation is the Presenting Sponsor of Global Youth Service Day in the United States.
  • Global Youth Service Day in the United States is coordinated by Youth Service America, in association with the National Youth Leadership Council.
  • Youth Service America founded Global Youth Service Day in 2000 by adapting the successful model of National Youth Service Day, launched in 1988 in the United States of America. Youth Service America now organizes Global Youth Service Day around the world with the Global Youth Action Network as its key partner and a consortium of international organizations and national coordinating committees. GYSD is an annual global event that highlights and celebrates the contributions of youth to their communities through volunteer service.
  • YSA's collection of Statistics about Youth Volunteering
  • During Global Youth Service Day, youth around the world organize community service projects to address local needs. GYSD is held during a weekend every April. In 2009, the event will be held on April 24-26. GYSD is celebrated in over 100 countries in every region of the world.
  • Within each country that recognizes Global Youth Service Day, a National Lead Agency convenes a coordinating committee of multiple organizations. Together, they do outreach at the national level and organize service projects for GYSD. A GYSD Secretariat located in the United States, with the advice of an International Coordinating Committee, provides support through communications, resources and materials.
  • Youth participate in GYSD to address the needs of their local communities through service, to be recognized for their contributions, and to be a part of a global youth service movement.
  • Read about the 21 year history of GYSD

GYSD Partners

Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) is organized by Youth Service America with the Global Youth Action Network as its key partner, forming the GYSD Secretariat.

Within each country that recognizes Global Youth Service Day, a National Lead Agency convenes a coordinating committee of multiple organizations. Together, they do outreach at the national level and organize service projects for GYSD.

The GYSD Secretariat is joined by a consortium of international organizations and over 160 international coordinating committees in participating countries and National Partners within the U.S.

In the U.S., in addition to the assistance from the U.S. National Partners, there are 75 Lead Agencies for the U.S. Global Youth Service Day that are chosen and given grants to develop coalitions of community partners to plan local, regional, or statewide celebrations.

Lead Agencies for GYSD engage hundreds to thousands of volunteers per celebration, as well as outreach to local media and business and encourage hands-on participation by elected officials. By making the connection between volunteering and citizenship, youth involved in Global Youth Service Day will educate their peers about maximizing the impact of their service through informed voting, youth-led advocacy, and other civic engagement efforts.

GYSD Sponsors

  • GYSD Presenting Sponsor

    • Photos, PSAs, and Logos

    Resources

    Media Partners

    CMT One Logo

    CMT One Country

    CMT One Country partners with Youth Service America for Global Youth Service Day 2008. “The Power of One,” the latest campaign by CMT’s (Country Music Television) pro-social initiative, CMT One Country, urges CMT viewers to get involved in their community through civic participation and volunteerism.  CMT One Country is reaching out to CMT fans to let them know about the opportunity to get involved with Global Youth Service Day events all over the country. CMT One Country also rewards volunteers for making a difference in their communities by giving them the opportunity to win rewards from CMT.  If you want to learn more about CMT One Country and how you can win rewards for the good work you already do, go to www.CMTONECOUNTRY.com

    CMT, a unit of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), is the leading television and digital authority on country music and Heartland entertainment, reaching more than 87 million homes in the U.S. CMT and its website, CMT.com, offer an unparalleled mix of music, news, live concerts and series and is the top resource for country music on demand. The network’s digital platforms include the 24-hour music channel, CMT Pure Country, CMT Mobile and CMT VOD.

    Youth Service America

    State Farm Foundation
    Theme