About Youth Service America

YOUTH SERVICE AMERICA (YSA) improves communities by increasing the number and the diversity of young people, ages 5-25, serving in substantive roles.

Founded in 1986, YSA supports a global culture of engaged youth committed to a lifetime of service, learning leadership, and achievement.

The impact of YSA’s work through service and service-learning is measured in student achievement, workplace readiness, and healthy communities.

Our goals are to:

• Educate youth, teachers, community organizations, media, and public officials in the power of youth as problem solvers.
• Engage children and youth as volunteers, as academic achievers, and as community leaders.

We do this through:

• Public Mobilization Campaigns such as Global Youth Service Day, Semester of Service, Service Vote and engaging public officials;
• Funding and Recognition through grants and awards geared toward youth, educators, service-learning coordinators, and program partners.
• Resources and Training includes the GYSD Planning Tool Kit, the Service-Learning Curriculum Guide, the National Service Briefing, the Youth Service Institute, webinars, and individual support.