Service Learning Program coordinates Global Youth Service Day

On Saturday, April 27, local youth will take to the streets of downtown Evansville for "Youth Talkin' Trash," a youth-led initiative designed to beautify the area and nearby neighborhoods. Coordinated by USI's Service Learning Program, young people will join millions of others around the globe who are celebrating Global Youth Service Day (GYSD).

GYSD plans include more than 500 young volunteers in a Clean Evansville effort. Volunteers will begin picking-up litter at 9 a.m. The event will be followed by a celebration of youth service in our community at the downtown Evansville YMCA located at 222 NW 6th Street. The celebration will include free food and drinks, free T-shirts, and an opportunity to break a Guinness World Record for the largest youth Zumba class. The activities are happening in collaboration with the annual YMCA Healthy Kids Day.

State Farm and Youth Service America are providing funding for the event and many local organizations are collaborating, including the City of Evansville, Keep Evansville Beautiful, Republic Services, YMCA, 14 News, United Way of Southwestern Indiana, Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation, Signature School, and many additional youth organizations and schools.

The event will take place rain or shine and deadline to register is Friday, April 12.

Now in its 25th year, GYSD is an annual campaign that celebrates and mobilizes millions of children and youth who improve their communities each day of the year through service and service learning. The observance is April 26 to April 28. Established in 1988, GYSD is the largest service event in the world and is celebrated in more than 100 countries. On GYSD, children and youth address the world′s most critical issues in partnership with families, schools, community and faith-based organizations, businesses, and governments.

For more information and to register, visit www.usi.edu/servicelearning or call 812/464-1989.