As we approach the 9th anniversary for 9/11, we are challenged to explain the significance of the event to America's young people - many of whom have no first hand memory of the occasion. Youth Service America, the official youth partner of the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, offers its experience in engaging youth by suggesting the following nine lessons from the event and related ideas for service-learning projects.

1. People came together, to rebuild community.

   

   Local Oral Histories

   Interview local community members to collect and record oral histories about this day, based on their personal recollections.  Prepare memory books to share the information you have collected with your local historical society or public library.

   • Step-by- step guide to oral history http://dohistory.org/on_your_own/toolkit/oralHistory.html
   • Making sense of oral history http://historymatters.gmu.edu/mse/oral/
   • Oral history lesson plan http://international.loc.gov/
     
     learn/lessons/oralhist/ohhome.html
   • Elders’ Wisdom, Children’s Song http://www.communitycelebration.org/our-programs/elders-wisdom-childrens-song/more

    

   Main Street

   Meet with local business owners to learn about the history of “Main Street” in your community.  Plan a “spiffin’ up” event, working together with the business owners and the Chamber of Commerce to clean up litter, remove graffiti and plant fresh flower planter boxes along the street.

   • Museums on Main Street  http://www.museumonmainstreet.org/about.htm

    

2. We became more aware of difference, and more committed to understanding diversity.

   

   Cultural Heritage Fair

   Learn about the history of immigration in your community or town.  Organize a youth cultural heritage fair, inviting youth from different traditions within your community to share their culture and cuisine. 

   • Junction49 Cultural Awareness Fair http://www.junction49.org/idea/1541/cultural_awareness_fair/
   • International Rescue Committee http://www.theirc.org/
   • Local cultural societies and groups and libraries

    

   Community Accessibility

   Research the history of the Individuals with Disabilities Act to understand the difficulties that the elderly and people with disabilities may have in accessing public areas.  Work with the Parks Department to modify an existing community garden or park, or to create a new garden that is accessible to all by constructing and installing ramps at strategic locations.

   • ADL Curriculum Connections http://www.adl.org/education/curriculum_connections/fall_2005/
     
   • Americans With Disabilities Act Home Page http://www.ada.gov/
   • The Home Wheelchair Ramp Program http://www.wheelchairramp.org/
     
   • Assessing Your School Environment for Access to People with Disabilities http://www.adl.org/education/curriculum_connections/fall_2005/fall_2005_lesson5_sb_assessing.asp

    

3. We grew to understand anew the importance of meeting basic needs, such as food, clothing, and shelter.

   

   Emergency Care Packets for the Homeless

   Find out about homelessness in your community by contacting local homeless shelters and organizations. Solicit donations and create emergency care packets for a homeless assistance organization.

   • US Department of Housing and Urban Development http://www.hud.gov/local/index.cfm?state=or&topic=homeless
   • National Coalition for Homelessness http://www.nationalhomeless.org
     
   • National Alliance to End Homelessness http://www.endhomelessness.org
     

    

   Gleaning Vegetables

   Explore the issue of hunger and its impact on many members of your community. Contact local farmers and ask if you and your friends can collect and remove left-over produce from their fields to donate to a local food bank.

   • Feeding America http://feedingamerica.org/default.aspx?SHOW_SHOV=1

    

4. The event generated a renewed patriotism and commitment to democracy.

   

   Honoring Veterans

   Meet with American war veterans in your community, and ask them about their experiences serving our country. Plan a special event to honor the veterans, and invite the community.

   • Veterans' History Project: Interview Tips www.loc.gov/vets/moreresources.html
   • Veterans' History Project: Sample Interview Questions www.loc.gov/vets/questions.html

    

   National Guard

   Learn about the history of the National Guard in your state.  Coordinate personal care kits, collecting and packaging items to send to members of the National Guard from your state who are currently serving overseas.

   • National Guard State Web Sites http://www.ng.mil/resources/states.aspx

    

5. We were linked to and embraced by a global community.

   

   The GLOBE Schools Network Project

   Join this online international network designed to connect students worldwide in sharing research with other students and with an international scientific community. Investigate rainfall amounts and temperature in your community, and upload your data to learn how humans impact rainfall and temperature.

   • The GLOBE Program (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment)http://www.globe.gov/r
   • National Oceanic and AtmosphericAdministration (NOAA)http://www.education.noaa.gov/
   • National Science Foundation:“Unlocking Climate Mysteries andEngaging Students from Harlem toAntarctica” http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=112691&org=OLPA&from=news

    

   Hunger Banquet

   Research global poverty and world hunger, as well as hunger in your own community. Organize a “hunger banquet” to share what you have learned with other youth and community members.

   • Learn More About Hunger http://www.worldhunger.org/learn.htm
   • Host an Oxfam America Hunger Banquet Event http://www.oxfamamerica.org/whatyoucando/take-action/actfast

    

6. People supported one another with random acts of kindness and goodwill.

   

   Books on Tape

   Practice your reading and speaking skills by reading books onto tape or mp3 players for seniors, for the visually impaired, for students with special needs, and for preschoolers or young children.

   • Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic http://www.rfbd.org/
   • Books on Tape By Kids, for Kids http://www.booksontapeforkids.org/
   • Local libraries, media centers and senior centers or retirement homes

    

   Senior “Prom”

   Plan and coordinate a social afternoon for seniors at a local senior center, learning about social and emotional elements of a healthy lifestyle for all ages.

   • Senior – Senior Prom http://www.servicelearning.org/slice/index.php?ep_action=view&ep_id=111
   • Generations United http://www.gu.org/

    

7. We emerged with a new fervor for and focus on a better future.

   

   Community Forum

   Investigate a community problem in your city or town, and organize a community forum on that issue, being sure to include young people on your panel. Invite the media, and share the information with local government agencies, non-profit organizations, and community groups.

   • Toolkit for Organizing a Community Forum http://results.techriver.net/website/article.asp?id=1880

    

   Go Green

   Learn about the environmental impact of energy use and explore ways in which individuals and organizations can reduce their energy consumption. Conduct an energy audit of your school, community center, library or senior citizen center, and share ways to reduce energy use.

   • Energy Audit Lesson Plan http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/wue/energy2_procedures.html
   • K-12 Energy Lesson Plans and Activities http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/education/lessonplans/

    

8. Everyday acts of service can be heroic.

   

   Play On

   As you learn to play an instrument or to sing, plan to share your musical talents with others by providing free lessons or a concert at a local school, community center, or senior center.

   • Benefits of Music http://www.amc-music.com/research_briefs.htm
   • Music for Seniors http://www.musicforseniors.org/

    

   It's All in the Game

   Share your love of a sport by volunteering at a daycare center, organizing a sports activity for the children and teaching them the rules of the game.

   • Action for Healthy Kids http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/
   • KidsHealth http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_fit/index.html
   • Child Development http://childdevelopmentinfo.com/health_safety/physical_fitness_guide_for_kids.htm

   9. We remember the many who answered the call to serve that day when we encourage others to serve their communities today.

   
   

   
   Volunteer Opportunities Guide
   

   Investigate the history of volunteerism in your community. Volunteer with your local community volunteer network organization to create a brochure or web site which outlines the many different things that kids of various ages can do to help your community.

   
   Are Your Ready?
   

   Use the internet and interview local experts to find out plans that your local community has in place for disaster preparedness and safety. Using this information, create and share a school or personal family emergency plan.

   
   

   Download YSA's
   Rebuilding Community: A 9/11 Semester of Service
    for ideas on semester-long service-learning programs.

    

For more information about 9.11 Day visit www.911DayofService.org. For more information about planning a service or service-learning initiative, visit www.YSA.org.