We support youth volunteerism, community service, service-learning, and youth leadership.

August 2024

A memorial display is a perfect service-learning project for US History, Civics, AVID, JROTC, and IB students, and to meet the new Florida State Statute that requires middle school in civics and high school in US Government to receive at least 45 minutes of instruction on "9/11 Heroes' Day" topics involving the history and significance of 9/11. Contact kverdi@learnandservetampa.org for more information by August 23, 2024.

We proudly announce that YSA has selected our organization for a 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance grant to support youth service-learning projects. Currently, the grant for youth service and remembrance efforts with students at three Hillsborough County schools, Franklin Boys Preparatory Academy, Tinker K-8, and Pizzo K-8. YSA is still accepting applications!

Franklin Boys Preparatory Academy will once again honor the Firefighters who died on 9/11 with a memorial display on the front lawn of the school. The City of Tampa firefighters will stop by to see the display and talk with students. Students will create gift bags or boxes for the 23 City of Tampa Fire Stations as a service to the community.

Learn and Serve Tampa is very excited to support 911Day.org's recruitment of Support Staff volunteers for the 2nd annual Meal Pack in Tampa! We are looking for adults for two shifts on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at Yuengling Center on the USF campus. Click HERE for more information and to register for the Tampa event. If your business wants to sponsor a table and send employee volunteers to pack meals, visit www.911day.org. This year, we are excited to have a table for youth leaders from Pizzo K-8 who will pack meals and take the experience back to school to plan a meal pack soon.

Students at Tinker K-8 on MacDill Air Force Base will be creating an interactive memorial display on 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance to teach students about the causes, events, and consequences related to terrorism, but also to honor and remember those we have lost in these violent attacks. Students will create biographies for victims to display on individual placards. The Tinker PTSA, Blue Star Moms, and base volunteers will assist with the layout of the American flag.

Mind Masters is a wellness workshop for rising middle school students. This event will take place on Saturday, August 3 at The Skills Center in Tampa. JIA has spent considerable time thoughtfully developing a program to focus on mental and emotional wellness among youth, specifically rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Mind Masters is FREE to attend and will also include a morning session for parents that will provide them with tools to help them navigate their child’s emotional health. Register here!

The National Youth Leadership Council Youth as Solutions (YaS) program is creating a generation of citizens who are passionate about making a positive impact in their schools and communities. Through our self-paced service-learning program, Leadership Teams – consisting of at least two young people in grades 6-12 and an adult mentor from a public school, school district, government entity, or nonprofit – positively impact their communities by addressing one of these impact areas:

• Education Equity
• Community Health
• Environmental Justice
• Civics and Democracy

Interested teachers, administrators, and sponsors can apply directly with support from Learn and Serve Tampa Inc.

The Jane Goodall Youth Environmental Service Leadership Summit is now taking registrations. The event is Saturday, September 14, 2024, in St. Petersburg at Tropicana Field. If you are interested in working with Learn and Serve Tampa Inc on future Martin Luther King, Jr or Global Youth Service Day environmental projects, this would be a great opportunity for leadership training! If we have enough interest, we can arrange for a bus from Tampa to St. Pete! This is another great AVID, JROTC, or IB opportunity!

Listed below are several search sites and nonprofits that need volunteers. Ages and requirements vary. It is often challenging for young adolescents ages 9-13 to find service, so we offer opportunities on each of the three National Days of Service for all ages. Check out our 9/ Day of Service and Remembrance activities below. To stay up-to-date, subscribe to The Ray newsletter at www.learnandservetampa.org

United Way Suncoast

Volunteer Match

Volunteer Connect

YMCA

Humane Society of Tampa Bay

Feeding America Tampa Bay

Metropolitan Ministries

American Red Cross

The Spring Tampa Bay

Just Serve

City of Tampa Parks and Recreation Department

Ronald McDonald House Tampa

Our organization is here to offer support for teachers and schools who want to teach youth through community service. We offer FREE virtual consultations and seek funding sources to bring youth service-learning experiences to schools. We plan and support the three National Days of Service so youth can join their community in service. Connect with us today.

Of course, the most direct route to supporting our work would be a direct donation through GiveButter!

We need to buy materials and supplies for youth projects, to provide transportation when needed, and general operating funds for insurance, bookkeeping, technology, and more. We hope to expand our capacity to serve and need your support! Have a heart and help us help others!

Our mission at Learn and Serve Tampa Inc, to bring high-quality service-learning instruction to Tampa area K-12 classrooms and schools, is grounded in our core value of youth empowerment. We are building partnerships with teachers and school leaders, other nonprofits, and businesses who agree that we need to listen to our youth and validate their concerns by supporting their service ideas. Service-learning gives youth a voice in solving issues they deem important, building leadership, personal, and social skills while entrenching the content in a real world context. Let's encourage our young people to think critically about real issues and propose solutions! This April-May, give youth time IN SCHOOL to voice their concerns about the future and encourage them to problem solve through service. #youthempowerment #GlobalYouthServiceDay

Student-centered education: Education is a process that needs to be entirely student-centered.

Youth Empowerment: Youth should be empowered to take action on issues that impact the world they are inheriting.

Democratic Thought: Not just what it is, but how you do it. The important role of self-discipline, respect for the rights and beliefs of others, and the process of teamwork and collaboration.

Equity and Equality Matter: An intentional focus on supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion of all human beings.

Healthy Planet, Healthy People: All institutions must adopt and lean into social and environmental sustainability goals.

Service for the Common Good is a Civic Responsibility: Service to others is expected of all. It is not a set of hours to complete. It is a moral imperative to sustaining human civilization. It is a key component to winning in life.