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Summer of Service is a national coalition of major youth-serving organizations that are committed to engaging youth in service during the summer months and recognize the potential of youth to identify issues, develop projects, and provide lasting benefits to the communities in which they live through volunteer service. Any organization that deals with youth ages 5 to 21 is encouraged to become part of the initiative. Sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service in collaboration with USA Freedom Corps, Summer of Service is supported by AmeriCorps, SeniorCorps, Learn and Serve America, and National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) and hundreds of non-profit organizations nationally.
AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) Summer of Service
Like the year-round AmeriCorps NCCC experience, which is geared to young adults ages 18 to 24, the NCCC Summer of Service combines the best practices of structured team-based activities and service-learning programming. In 2009, this residential NCCC Summer of Service program is available to 100 youth ages 14 to 17 living in Denver, CO. Youth from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. AmeriCorps NCCC members will also engage 100 youth in a non-residential community service experience on various service projects in Washington, DC through a partnership with Serve DC and the Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program. In both models, program participants will serve alongside and under the supervision of year-round AmeriCorps NCCC members.
AmeriCorps VISTA Summer of Service
The VISTA Summer Associates program offers individuals the opportunity to become engaged in a community through an existing VISTA project for 8 to 10 weeks during the summer. VISTA encourages existing sponsors and partners who work with disadvantaged youth to consider using the Summer Associates program to enhance their existing programs as appropriate by providing opportunities to engage disadvantaged youth in productive service activities in the summer.
AmeriCorps State and National Summer of Service
AmeriCorps State and National have numerous programs that engage youth in constructive summer activities. Through various partnerships these programs provide tutoring, recreation, art enrichment, service learning and many more opportunities for positive youth development.
Learn and Serve America Summer of Service
Learn and Serve America programs are "filling the gap" for positive summer activity for young people, by increasing the number of youth involved in service-learning, especially those from disadvantaged situations.
Resources for Parents and Families
The summer time can be a great opportunity for families to engage in service projects together! Here you will find great ideas and suggestions on ways to continue to instill the ideas of caring and service with your family.
Resources for Organizations and Individuals
Curriculum Guides and Tool Kits help teachers, youth leaders, and young people plan quality service projects, recruit volunteers, identify costs, raise funds, generate media attention, and incorporate service-learning practices into their community service projects.
Marketing Resources
The Summer of Service is a great time to let people know what your program is all about. Media coverage about your service project—newspapers or magazine articles, TV and radio stories, etc.—will help boost awareness of this Initiative and will also help you:
- Recruit new members or volunteers
- Reach potential funding sources
- Educate the public about your role in the community and
- Recognize hard-working members and volunteers
Reaching the news media starts with some homework and planning a strategy. When making decisions about media outreach, remember that you've got a lot of competition. Many organizations try to get their stories and events covered at the same time. With some early planning and materials from this section, you will have a good start in gaining the media attention you are looking for.
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