4/13/2010 - Jackson, Miss.

America Reads-Mississippi (ARM), the largest AmeriCorps Program in the state, has been named the Lead Agency to coordinate service projects for Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) for the sixth consecutive year.

In support of this effort, State Farm Companies Foundation, the main sponsor of GYSD 2010, made a significant pledge to the Lead Agency Program. A grant planning check was presented to engage youth in their communities by implementing service projects.

On April 23-25, 2010, ARM will mobilize more than 5,000 young people throughout the state to participate in the 21st Annual Global Youth Service Day. ARM AmeriCorps members have organized and conducted Junior Citizenship Corps Clubs (JCCC), comprised of over 1,500 students who are engaged in service learning, initiate and conduct community-based emergency preparedness workshops, and coordinate volunteer recruitment activities. ARM GYSD statewide activities will involve approximately 3,000 additional youth across the state.

Global Youth Service Day is the largest service event in the world that mobilizes young people to identify and address community needs through service. GYSD supports youth on a life-long path of service and civic engagement, and educates the public about the role of youth as community leaders.

America Reads-Mississippi is dedicated to improving the reading skills of students, encouraging public awareness and support of literacy, and helping to increase the number of certified teachers in Mississippi. Visit americareadsms.org for additional information about the ARM AmeriCorps program or contact Nikitna Barnes, Special Projects Director.

Youth Service America (YSA) is a national resource center that partners with thousands of organizations committed to increasing the quality and quantity of volunteer opportunities for young people, ages 5-25, to serve locally, nationally, and globally. Founded in 1986, YSA’s mission is to expand the impact of the youth service movement with communities, schools, corporations, and governments.

YSA envisions a global culture of engaged youth who are committed to a lifetime of service, learning, leadership, and achievement. For more information, visit www.ysa.org. YSA also hosts SERVEnet (servenet.org), providing the largest database of volunteer opportunities in America. For more information, visit: www.ysa.org.

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