Monday, November 01, 2010
USI selected as lead agency for 2011 Global Youth Service Day
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Contact for more information:
Brandi Schwartz Marketing Coordinator Outreach & Engagement 812/464-1854 The grant will be used to refurbish trails on the east side of campus for better utilization by community groups. USI trails will eventually connect with a trail from Burdette Park. The project, an extension of a refurbishment project that took place earlier this year on USI's Bent Twig Trail, will serve as an important part of the co-curricular Service Learning program, which aims to integrate service learning goals into activities that students can participate in outside the classroom. USI students also will work with youth in the area and participate in additional trail projects on campus and in the Evansville area. The Evansville Trails Coalition will serve as a major partner for the project and will help promote and facilitate work on an interconnected trail network throughout the county. USI trails will be part of that initiative. Plant and tree identification signs will also be added to trails on campus. "This project will give our students an opportunity to provide valuable services to campus and the community in a way that will have a far-reaching impact in creating a healthier community," said Dr. Anne Statham, director of USI Service Learning and coordinator of the trail projects. "Bringing together youth of different ages will give our young people the opportunity to have an impact on the development of the trails around the community." Global Youth Service Day 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 15 to April 17, 2011. Established in 1988, GYSD is the largest service event in the world and is celebrated in over 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. "The diverse agencies participating in Global Youth Service Day all have the common goal of providing children and youth with opportunities to serve their communities," said Steve Culbertson, president and CEO of Youth Service America. "These organizations are committed to addressing local, national, and global needs and demonstrating that young people can be part of that change." Other project partners include Carver Community Organization, Westside Garden Club, Master Gardeners, Vanderburgh Soil and Water Conservation District, Evansville Bicycle Coalition, Miles Ahead Coalition, Burdette Park, Southwestern Master Naturalists, Keep Evansville Beautiful, YMCA, Wesselman Nature Center, Boys and Girls Club, Big Brother/Big Sisters, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts. GYSD is coordinated by Youth Service America. State Farm Companies Foundation is the U.S. Presenting Sponsor. For more information, contact Statham at 812/465-1203 or aastatham@usi.edu. |
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