Recap: Showcase Kickoff!

This past week, we kicked off the end-of-program showcases for the Kids Action Team, Race Against Waste, and Students Taking Action Today programs. We have been greatly impressed with the service-learning projects of the teachers and students that participated in this year’s programs. Kimberly Walker’s students at The Children’s Workshop School did an amazing job teaching their fellow students about animal welfare. They worked alongside Katherine Reeves from the Animal Cares Center of NYC (ACC) and learned about the five elements of animal welfare. Katherine even paid the class a visit, bringing a furry friend from the animal shelter. Students also created a life size puzzle poster to spread awareness to their peers. Each puzzle piece contained one of the five elements of animal welfare, so that when the puzzle is complete, it represents all the things an animal would need to be happy and healthy.

Students from PS 71 Forest were also interested in tackling the issue of Animal Welfare. Accompanied by their fearless leader, Steven Roesler, students also met with Katherine Reeves from ACC who taught them about the importance of shelters and protecting animals. In conjunction, students conducted a fundraising event in which they raised over $1,000 for the animal shelter, collaborated with younger students in the school to increase their awareness about animal welfare, and created posters that they put up in 25 local businesses to increase awareness in their local neighborhood. We wanted to highlight these students and teachers for their hard work and efforts and hope they continue their service-learning endeavors.

Youth Food Advocates

Youth Food Advocates (YFA), the youth-leadership arm of the Lunch 4 Learning coalition, is ideal for young people who are interested in effecting systemic change in New York City food systems, with a focus on school food. This year, their youth leaders have planned and created monthly social media campaigns, testified before the New York City Council, led lunch improvement campaigns at their schools,  published the sixth issue of the YFA Newsletter, and much more. The program is ideal for young people interested in becoming school food experts, advocating for a better school food system, learning about and improving New York City food policy, and making a lasting impact in their community. The YFA application is open now until June 15. Young people should apply online, and will be notified of acceptance after July 4. YFA members participate in the Summer Leadership Training from Monday, August 21 through Friday, August 25, 2023, attend virtual weekly planning meetings and four in-person workshop days throughout the school year, and are eligible to receive up to $550 stipend. In total, YFA members complete approximately 100 hours of programming from August through June for which 100% attendance is required. Visit the YFA website to complete the YFA application before June 15.

Luv Michael

Luv Michael supports meaningful work for autistic adults. Its nationally recognized volunteer program engages young people in learning about autism, advocating for autism acceptance, and making a difference in their community. The volunteer program is 100% digital and service hours can be earned from anywhere. Learn more about volunteering on the LUV Michael website. For questions, contact dchudley@luvmichael.com.



Project Sunshine

Project Sunshine brings volunteer-led programming to pediatric patients and their families in a variety of medical settings. The newly formed Youth Advisory Council (YAC) brings together youth ages 10-18 who are committed to the mission of Project Sunshine, bringing the healing power of play to children with medical needs. Email Greg Feigeles gfeigeles@projectsunshine.org to learn more and get involved.

Glamour Gals

GlamourGals is dedicated to ending senior isolation. GlamourGals volunteers, organized in student-led clubs in high schools and colleges, earn service hours, foster essential leadership skills, and receive awards and scholarships – all while improving the lives of elderly living in their community. GlamourGals is providing an opportunity for teens to volunteer at a senior home throughout the summer in New York City. Learn more on the GlamourGals website and sign up to get started.

Bee Conservancy

Did you know that May 20, 2023 was World Bee Day? Close to 75 percent of the world's crops producing fruits and seeds for human consumption depend on bees 🐝 and other pollinators🦋. While World Bee Day just passed, these tiny critters need our help just as much as we need theirs. What can we do to help? Check out the resources below on creating and maintaining pollinator habitats. For more information and resources, visit The Bee Conservancy website. 

1. Find keystone native plants plants in your ecoregion. (National Wildlife Federation)
2. Explore pollinator planting guides by ecoregion. (Pollinator Partnership)
3. Read the organic pesticide report and learn pest management practices. (Xerxes Society)
4. Learn which shrubs and trees are best for pollinators. (Heather Holms)

Find additional habitat and gardening resources. (Pollinator Friendly Alliance)

Free Summer Meals

Breakfast and lunch will continue beyond the instructional school year for another year. The Summer Meals Program is available throughout New York City to anyone age 18 and under from Wednesday, June 28, through Friday, September 1, 2023. Designated public schools, community pool centers, parks, and food trucks will be open for service. No registration, documentation, or ID is necessary to receive a free breakfast from 8:00-9:15am or lunch from 11:00am-1:15pm. Select locations will open Wednesday, June 28 (Eid al-Adha) and citywide locations will open on Thursday, June 29. There will be no service on Tuesday, July 4. Find a location near you. There are a few key dates below: 

NYC School Library System

NYC School Library System (Library Services) provides NYC educators numerous free resources. By providing reading resources for educators, Library Services help provide inclusive learning environments in order to achieve greater equity. Their resource collection includes access to TeachingBooks and the NOVELny collection, which includes Gale databases, Encyclopedia Britannica, and Britannica Escolar. Additionally, readers can discover grade-level ebooks and digital audiobooks in a variety of languages simply by logging into the Citywide Digital Library on Sora using their DOE email credentials. Library Services also wants to hear from you. Recommend titles to be included in the collection.

Does your school have a great service project to share? If so, the Service in Schools team wants to know!

Invite the Service in Schools team to visit your service project. We want to see your students and school community in action. Email the Service in Schools team at ServiceinSchools@schools.nyc.gov with two weeks’ notice, and we will schedule a visit to your school to learn about your project and see the impact you are making on the community. 

Visit our website. Follow @ServiceinSchools on Twitter and @ServiceinSchools on Instagram to receive program updates, upcoming service opportunities, resources, and more. We encourage students who use Twitter and are interested in service opportunities to follow us.

Mission: Service in Schools strives to expand the number of NYC students engaged in transformative community service and service-learning experiences that enable them to use their voice, skills, and critical thinking to strengthen communities.