Youth Service America Launches the 50% Youth Participation by America250 Campaign – Aug 8-10

Posted by Youth Service America on July 26, 2022

Join Youth Service America (YSA) as we officially launch the 50% Youth Participation by America250 (50by250) campaign with three 50by250 Partner Summit Plenary Sessions during the Youth Service Institute on August 8-10.

Even though youth participation rates are at or near record-high levels, we’re still leaving 3 of every 4 young people out of actively working together for the common good. The 50% Youth Participation by America250 campaign is focused on increasing youth participation rates in volunteering and service, voting and civic engagement, and joining and leadership to 50% by America’s Semiquincentennial on July 4, 2026, on the way to 100% a decade later so that no one is left out of participating in our democracy.

All sessions are virtual, free to attend, and everyone is welcome! Sessions include:

State of Youth Participation Panel – Monday, August 8, 12:00-1:00 PM

Learn about the current state youth participation in the United States. YSA will share the results of a national survey of K-12 principals about the prevalence of and participation rate in community service, service-learning, voting & civic engagement, and joining & leadership activities. Panelists representing America’s Service Commissions, the National Youth Leadership Council, and Volunteer Iowa will share recommendations for the future.

Harris Wofford Common Good Awards – Tuesday, August 9, 12:00-1:00 PM

Hear from six exemplary organizations who will receive the 2022 Harris Wofford Common Good Awards. This award is named after one of our nation’s greatest public servants and honors those who do extraordinary work towards achieving Senator Wofford’s vision of making working together for the common good the common expectation and common experience of every young person in America.

Youth Leader Focus Group Discussion – Wednesday, August 10, 12:00-1:00 PM

Listen to a youth-facilitated focus group discussion of young leaders about the barriers to youth participation in their communities, and how we can all do more to increase youth participation by personally asking all young people to participate, teaching the knowledge & skills they need to effectively participate, addressing systemic equity & access issues, and telling the story of youth changing the world to motivate and inspire others to participate.

Learn more and register.