The Ray
June-July 2024
Freshmen, Make This a Summer of Service!
Students can begin service the day after they leave middle school, so use this summer to get in some great volunteer work! Students no longer have to get pre-approval for BrightFutures service hours. Students must submit proposals and completed hours, including appropriate adult verification, once they enter school in August. Students should contact the high school they will be attending to learn of any restrictions or requirements beyond those under Florida DOE or Hillsborough County. Volunteer opportunities are often limited for youth under 14, so adult chaperons may be required initially. Listed below are several search sites and nonprofits that need volunteers. There are also opportunities to create your own service project. Contact Learn and Serve Tampa Inc. if you need help finding a suitable opportunity.
Service Training and Grant Opportunities for Educators and Leaders
New YSA Afterschool Program - Due July 21, 2024
Youth Service America (YSA) offers a new Afterschool Training and Grant Program. Interested teachers, administrators, and sponsors can apply directly with support from Learn and Serve Tampa Inc. This opportunity includes:
Free Online Service-Learning Course
Collaborating with Arizona State University's Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, we're bringing you a cutting-edge online course designed to empower afterschool professionals. Led by Scott Ganske, YSA Vice President of Education, the Designing and Implementing a Meaningful Service-Learning Experience course will equip you with the tools and knowledge to guide your students through impactful service-learning projects. Plus, your registration fee is covered!
Stipend for Professional’s Time
We value your dedication, so we're offering a $100 stipend for time spent completing the 15-hour asynchronous course.
Project Implementation Grant
Upon course completion, you'll receive a $200 implementation grant to bring your service project to life. With two technical assistance calls, resources, and reporting support, we're here to ensure your project's success every step of the way.
Whether you're new to incorporating service or looking to enhance your existing programs, this opportunity is for you! Let us help you make a difference in your community while enriching the lives of your students.
Requirements
- Must be employed by a nonprofit organization, faith-based institution, school, or other government entity located in the United States that provides an afterschool program.*
- Each afterschool professional must engage at least 50 young people (ages 5-25) as part of their project.
- 80% of youth volunteers must be middle and/or high school age and 50% must be from low-income families or neighborhoods.
Timeline
Application Deadline: July 21, 2024
Recipients Selected: August
Course Completion: September/October
Stipends and Grants Distributed: October/November
Implement Projects: Beginning October/November
Impact Report Due: May/June 2025
NYLC Youth as Solutions Grants - Due September 13, 2024
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.
9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance
9/11 is THREE Months Away!
On June 11, 2024, 9/11 will be THREE months away! It is time to start planning! We utilize an interactive memorial display and service opportunity 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. This is a perfect service-learning project for US History, Civics, AVID, JROTC, and IB students, and will 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 September 11, 2001.
Franklin Boys Preparatory Academy 2018-2023
Randall Middle School 2009-2019
University of South Florida/Pizzo K-8 2023
StudentsRebuild
The Bezos Family Foundation funds StudentRebuild which hosts an art-focused service-learning challenge each year. It is quite simple. Students study the challenge (hunger, climate change, water quality) and then create art. Upload your art to the website and the Bezos family will donate $5 to a nonprofit related to the challenge. But, hurry! June 7, 2024 is the last day for this year's challenge. Philanthropy made easy, but with a learning twist!
Youth Environmental Summit: Hope In Action
The Jane Goodall Institute and Roots & Shoots are hosting a youth service leadership summit on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg! Learn and Serve Tampa Inc supports the Roots & Shoots model for any project, not just the green stuff! Teachers and sponsors, take advantage of this great opportunity to prepare student leaders as changemakers. Email us today to receive additional information and learn how Learn and Serve Tampa Inc. can assist your school in participating!
PassItOn!
PassItOn! billboards are everywhere. You may have also seen commercials and posters! Now, you can submit your own positive message! The Foundation for a Better Life was started by an anonymous benefactor and has built upon the commitments of major media companies to just DO GOOD! Now, the foundation invites you to Pass It On. Upload your own positive message!
Global Youth Service Month Highlights 2024
Mulrennan AVID Club Created Gifts for Children's Hospital
Burnett Culinary Art Students Spring Planting!
Spoto High School AVID and Art Clubs Bathroom Improvements
Rodgers Students researched the Gopher Tortoise
Roland Park K-8 students conducted a Maui Wildfire Coin Drive
Cimino NEHS Students led a Mental Health Campaign
Teachers and Principals, we are a HCPS Partner in Education!
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.
Fundraising
GiveButter
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
Our Core Values
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.