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Youth Volunteerism

My Civic Life

Overview

Through the My Civic Life program, Community Development Works has partnered with 17 high schools in 4 local school districts for the 2024-2025 year to offer service clubs for students to engage in volunteer opportunities. The service clubs follow an evidence-based model developed by Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC) that is team-based, diverse, structured and flexible. During the YVC Club meetings, students discuss and identify needs that are unique to their individual communities and plan service projects to address those needs. The YVC Clubs also allow students a fun and convenient way to accrue service hours to receive the Community Service Diploma Endorsement offered by the Louisiana Department of Education. 
 
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What is Youth Volunteer Corps?

Youth Volunteer Corps is a nonprofit organization that creates meaningful volunteer opportunities for youth ages 11-18. YVC’s mission is to engage youth in team-based service experiences that build life and work skills while inspiring a lifetime ethic of service. Since 1987, 300,000 plus YVC youth from diverse backgrounds have volunteered more than 5 million hours serving their local communities. Based in Kansas City, YVC has 27 programs across the United States and Canada. What sets YVC apart is an emphasis on quality. Any youth can call an organization and volunteer, but YVC’s team-based, supervised model based on service-learning offers a truly transformational experience.

Four Fundamental Goals of YVC

 
  1.     To engage teams of youth in volunteer service projects that are challenging, rewarding and educational;
  2.     To serve the needs of the community;
  3.     To promote among youth a greater understanding and appreciation for diversity in their community; and
  4.     To inspire youth to a lifetime ethic of service

 

Participating Schools

Natchitoches Parish

Lakeview High School
Natchitoches Central High School
Natchitoches Junior High School
Natchitoches Parish Technical and Career Center
Northwestern State University Lab School
 

Vernon Parish

Hicks High School
Hornbeck High School
Pitkin High School
 

Winn Parish

Winnfield Senior High School

Rapides Parish

Buckeye High School
Glenmora High School
Northwood High School
Oak Hill High School
Plainview High School
Poland Junior High School
Rapides High School
Tioga High School

What is a Community Service Diploma Endorsement?

A Community Service Diploma Endorsement is one of three types of diploma endorsements that Louisiana high school students may earn upon graduation. Authorized by Act 295 of the 2012 Regular Session of the Legislature, local education agencies (LEAs) may award a Community Service Diploma Endorsement to students completing a minimum of 80 hours of documented community service hours by graduation. This voluntary diploma endorsement was established to:

• Engage students in their communities.
• Provide a process to apply what they have learned in a social setting.
• Provide opportunities for students to explore their interests, passions, and potential career aspirations in an engaged, hands-on environment.
 
GET INVOLVED NOW!
Community Service Diploma Endorsement

My Civic Life is an evidence-based civic engagement and service leadership program for high school students. 
To join your local YVC, start a new YVC, make a donation, or simply learn more, visit www.yvc.org.
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