Calling Young Changemakers for a 'Summer of Service'

Disney Supports Hundreds of Youth-Led Service Projects with $500 Grants to Create a Brighter Tomorrow

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Jun 09, 2017, 11:37 ET

WASHINGTON, June 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Youth Service America (YSA) and The Walt Disney Company, including Disney|ABC Television Group, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media, and Walt Disney Studios, are working together this summer to inspire kids and families to make a positive impact in their communities through the Disney Summer of Service campaign. Youth can use fun summer activities — like sports, arts, reading, and being outdoors — to join Disney in a movement to make the world healthier, greener, and stronger. Kids who volunteer — with their friends or family, or on their own — can apply for a $500 Disney Be Inspired Summer of Service grant to create a project or expand an existing project throughout the rest of the year.

Youth, ages 5-18, in the U.S. can visit YSA.org/BeInspired to tell their volunteer story, get inspiration and planning resources, and apply for a Disney Be Inspired Summer of Service grant. 250 youth-led service projects will be selected to receive a $500 grant that will be awarded to each sponsoring organization in support of that project. Applications will be accepted through September 30, 2017, and select grantees may have a chance to be recognized by Disney|ABC Television Group or their local ABC affiliate.

Additionally, Disney is providing 26 organizations with grants to create or expand volunteer opportunities for youth during the summer months.

"Children and youth possess unique perspectives, creativity, energy, and idealism," said Steven A. Culbertson, President and CEO of YSA. "The Disney Summer of Service campaign harnesses these strengths and invests in young people as they change the world, one project at a time."

Examples of 2016 grant-awarded projects include:

Splish Splash, led by a 13-year-old in Clayton, Missouri, engages experienced youth swimmers to teach swimming to and form friendships with kids with autism.
Hack Night, created by a 17-year-old in New York, is an initiative to introduce middle and high school students in underprivileged communities to the computer science industry through panels, workshops, and demos of software development projects.
Peace, Love, and Chess, organized by a 12-year-old in Sturgis, South Dakota, aims to build a supportive learning community based on love of chess, composed of students who might not normally know each other or socialize together.
Make Good Decisions Soccer Game, an effort of a 16-year-old and his teammates from Carmel, Indiana, uses soccer to raise awareness about the dangers of underage drinking.

"The Disney Summer of Service campaign exemplifies our company's long-term commitment to strengthening communities, through volunteer service. We hope that this effort will inspire young people to help others and create a brighter tomorrow," said Kevin Callahan, Vice President, Corporate Citizenship of The Walt Disney Company.

The Walt Disney Company is committed to creating a brighter tomorrow. Disney Summer of Service is a company-wide campaign that inspires kids and their families to help others and make a lasting, positive impact in their communities. The campaign builds on 34 years of Disney's own volunteer efforts, where employees have contributed more than 3 million hours of service since 2012 alone. Be inspired by the power of helping others and strengthening communities. Join a movement to make your community healthier, greener, and stronger. Learn more at Disney.com/BeInspired.

Youth Service America (YSA) is a leading global nonprofit that activates young people, ages 5-25, to #LeadASAP by finding their voice, taking action, and making an impact on vital community issues. Youth #LeadASAP through Awareness, Service, Advocacy, and Philanthropy (ASAP) projects. Research shows that youth who engage in quality, youth-led projects develop the 21st Century Skills they need to be successful in school, work, and life. YSA activates, funds, trains, and recognizes young people and their adult partners. Our vision is a global culture of engaged children and youth committed to a lifetime of meaningful service, learning, and leadership. For more information, visit YSA.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Karen Daniel, Vice President, Programs
YSA (Youth Service America)
[email protected]
202-296-2994 – office
202-379-8004 – mobile

Disney Citizenship

SOURCE Youth Service America, Disney