September 14, 2017 | Volume 24, No. 36
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  Grants for Organizations and K-12 Schools
to Inspire Youth to BE FEARLESS BE KIND This Fall
 
The world needs the empathy, compassion, and kindness of youth now more than ever. YSA is partnering with Hasbro's signature philanthropic initiative, BE FEARLESS BE KIND, to encourage young people to stand up for others, include everyone, and take action when they see a problem.

To provide opportunities for young people across the country to #LeadASAP, YSA and Hasbro will award BE FEARLESS BE KIND Grants of $500, $1,000, or $2,000 to nonprofit organizations and K-12 schools (public, private, and independent) in the United States.

Grants will support high quality, youth-led community projects that take place between late September - December 15, 2017 where youth address meaningful local and global issues through Awareness, Service, Advocacy, and Philanthropy and acquire the skills they need to be successful in life - empathy, creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration.

Applications will be accepted and grants awarded on a rolling basis until October 31, 2017 at 5 PM Eastern time. Learn more and apply at www.YSA.org/BFBKGrants
 
Apply for a $500 Disney Be Inspired Grant by September 30 to Support Your Fall Service Activities  
  
Disney is committed to strengthening communities around the world through volunteerism and wants to know what you're going to do to help make your community healthier, greener, and stronger - creating a brighter tomorrow. Starting this fall, Disney, through YSA, will offer $500 Disney Be Inspired grants to kids who plan to implement volunteer projects in their community. Click here for new resources, ideas and examples to help you get started.   
 
Once you've chosen a project for the fall, visit www.YSA.org/BeInspired to apply for a $500 Disney Be Inspired Grant. All youth in the United States, ages 5-18, are eligible to apply through September 30, 2017. Youth can also apply on behalf of a class, an afterschool program, or a group in a youth development or community-based organization. 4-H, After-School All-Stars, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Clubs, Camp Fire, FCCLA, Girls Inc., Girl Scouts, The Y (YMCA), and YWCA groups are especially encouraged to apply.
  Awards for Youth Who Stand Strong Against Disasters

As the nation responds to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma as well as the wildfires in the Western U.S., YSA will recognize young people who are standing strong against disasters.  

 

We're looking for creative and innovative ideas from youth who are providing immediate relief to those affected by recent disasters, supporting long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts, and helping prepare their own communities for disasters. Awards of $250, $500, and $1,000 will be awarded in each of three categories:

  • Disaster Relief
  • Disaster Recovery & Rebuilding
  • Disaster Preparedness

Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, September 20 at 5 PM Eastern time. Apply at www.YSA.org/standstrong 

UPCOMING SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
 
September is National Preparedness Month - a reminder that we must all take action to prepare, now and throughout the year, for all the types of emergencies that could affect us where we live, go to school, work, or visit. September 30 is National PrepareAthon! Day. https://community.fema.gov or https://www.ready.gov/september 
Plan Ahead...
STORIES OF SERVICE
 

Bridget, Charlotte, and Lucy Carr (11, 9, and 8, Wyckoff, New Jersey) had been searching for a volunteer opportunity they could take part in together, but every time they had an idea it turned out they were too young. They then saw a tweet from one of their favorite soccer players, Raquel Rodriguez of Sky Blue FC and the Costa Rica national team about an incredible organization called Soccer Without Borders (SWB). With some help from their father, they decided to join the SWB's Ambassador program and they started a Greater Goals fundraiser focused on SWB's programs for girls in Granada, Nicaragua and Kampala, Uganda.

 

Bridget, Charlotte, and Lucy set up social media accounts to spread the word about SWB's work and sent many emails and messages to local soccer clubs, media members, and professional soccer players. Their club, World Class FC, made a $500 donation to the campaign. Several other people from the club also made personal donations. They also teamed up with another non-profit, called Positive Tracks, whose motto is "Youth + Athletics + Philanthropy = The New Awesome." Their hope is that kids like them across the country will be inspired to start their own Greater Goals campaign for SWB or give back in some other ways.  

 

Do you know a young person, age 5-25 that is creating extraordinary change in your community? Nominate them for an Everyday Young Hero award.

RESOURCES & TRAININGS
For the past 100 years, America's high schools have remained virtually unchanged. Yet the world around us has transformed dramatically. It's time to turn the American spirit of ingenuity towards our high schools and come together as a nation to give our students the education they deserve. Last week, some of the biggest names in entertainment joined students, parents, educators and more for a must-see television event. Watch it and find out how to get involved. 

Wednesday, September 20 at 1:30 Eastern
We all know that young people are more successful when they not only have academic knowledge, but also the social and emotional skills and mindsets needed to navigate life, college and work. Join Karen Pittman as she spends an hour with Kent Pekel, President and CEO of the Search Institute, to learn more about the Developmental Relationships Framework, a powerful new tool the Search Institute is using to help all adults - teachers, youth workers and most importantly families - understand and focus their actions to contribute to youth success. 

Thursday, September 21 at 11:30am Central
In this webinar, you'll learn: why it's important to focus on improving student motivation; the five factors Search Institute has identified that build student motivation; what makes a relationship transformative for a young person's development and success; and the research behind relationships and motivation.

Thirty-eight percent of kids don't know what their spark is. They haven't yet discovered what gets them excited, pushes them to learn and gives them purpose. We know that sparks are the first step to thriving-to creating a healthy, purposeful life. Adults are critical in kids' sparks journeys because we can get kids thinking and talking about sparks. We can earn their trust, start conversations and name the sparks we see come alive. 
 
SERVICE SONG OF THE WEEK
"Anything" - Thomas Kivi 

 
" It's true that no one lives forever
It's true that seeds can only grow
So to those who sulk and wallow
Don't try and dress this in cliche
You can't do everything  
with all of your tomorrows
But you can do anything
You can do anything today.
You gotta' do something today."
 
The complete Service Songs of the Week playlist from 2012-2017 is on YouTube at http://bit.ly/servicesongs and Spotify at www.YSA.org/Spotify 
 
Thank you to YSA's sponsors who make our work possible: