Youth Volunteer Corps

Mission Statement

To create and increase volunteer opportunities to enrich America's youth, address community needs and develop a lifetime commitment to service.

Celebrate our young volunteers
By David Battey, YVC President and Founder

First lady Laura Bush recently announced the results of a federal study showing high levels of volunteering by American teenagers last year — nearly double the rate of adults.

The national study, conducted by the Corporation for National and Community Service in collaboration with the U.S. Census Bureau and Independent Sector, found that 15.5 million youths contributed more than 1.3 billion hours of service during 2004.

That translates into a rate of 55 percent compared with the adult volunteer rate of 29 percent as established by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As president of Youth Volunteer Corps, with national offices in the Kansas City area, I was not surprised by these results.

Youth Volunteer Corps affiliates across the country this year reported that nearly 15,000 youths posted over 216,000 volunteer hours. These numbers have steadily increased each year since YVC began in 1987.

Our experience mirrors the groundswell of youth participation in meaningful volunteer service surging across the United States.

Those involved in the recent national study state that young people engaged in service opportunities are less likely to engage in risky behavior, are more likely to feel connected to their communities and do better in school than their counterparts who don’t volunteer.

They also observe that adults are twice as likely to volunteer if they began participating when they were teens, and this level of youth volunteer service will lead to increased numbers among Americans of all ages.

Another survey administered this year to students across the country by America’s Promise shows that youths clearly say they are committed to altruism, strongly agreeing with statements such as: “I would like to help make the world a better place,” and “It’s important to do things for others.”

For too long, the contributions made by youths who are passionate about connecting with their communities have been under-celebrated.

We need to pause, as the new year begins, and take notice of these teenagers who are spending time making life better for others. David Eisner, chief executive officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service, said that young people should be seen as leaders and assets, who can make powerful contributions to their communities.

According to Eisner: “By starting early and unleashing the energy and idealism of young people, we can help meet pressing needs and create a generation of lifelong citizens.”

From the Kansas City Star, January 14, 2006