Today is the Day of Silence, a time when students bring attention to anti-LGBT bullying, harassment and discrimination in schools. Friday, however, marks the start of Global Youth Service Day (GYSD), in actuality a three-day event that “highlights the amazing contributions youth make to their communities through year-round volunteering.” According to the GYSD Web site, over 100 countries join the event, with three million young people participating in the U.S alone. Volunteering helps the volunteers as well as their communities:
Research in the US demonstrates that young people involved in volunteering are more likely to become active citizens through voting, participating in civic groups, and giving philanthropically. In addition, young volunteers have been found to have higher educational and economic achievement rates. Likewise, young people who volunteer are 50% less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, become involved in delinquency, or drop out of school. Youth volunteering is an effective strategy for building strong youth and strong communities, while also reducing negative social behaviors.
To find GYSD projects your children can join, visit the Youth Service America site if you are in the U.S., or the GYSD Event Finder for other locations. Even if your children are too young, or otherwise engaged, take a look yourself to see the amazing number of initiatives young people are involved in, including community beautification, food drives, helping seniors, raising money for cancer research, and improving literacy. It’s enough to give me hope for the world.