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How can I start a YVC?

Youth Volunteer Corps of America, Inc. (YVCA) has designed a Planning Guide to help assess community interest and resources toward the goal of developing a sustained Youth Volunteer Corps program in your community.

YVCA staff are available to assist your community as you complete the suggested stages of program development outlined in the planning guide. YVCA also can provide valuable developmental technical assistance and tap an array of resources as you complete the planning process. YVCA offers extensive experience in program development and can help provide your community with the resources as you begin to establish a Youth Volunteer Corps program.

This is just a brief summary of the steps necessary to start a YVC program in your community.

I. Identify a Strong and Viable Sponsoring Organization.

The types of Sponsoring Organizations for YVC programs are varied and include the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, Volunteer Centers, municipal governments and school districts. YVCA has found that the most appropriate Sponsoring Organizations are those that support the mission of the Youth Volunteer Corps, are capable of and willing to run a direct service program for youth and are able to recruit youth of diverse backgrounds from throughout the community.

II. Develop Community Support.

It has been the experience of YVC programs that the sustainability of the program is linked to the support of the community. By bringing together community leaders, agency and school representatives, potential funders, youth and other interested parties in the initial planning process communities can better assess local interest in the program from a variety of perspectives.

Suggested Groups to Include When Forming Your YVC:

• Organizations Involved in Youth Programming
  
• School Personnel
  
• Community Service Agencies
  
• Potential Funders
  
• Community and Business Leaders
  
• Government Leaders
  
• Youth

III. Determine Service Potential.

To help you determine the service potential in your community, it is helpful to assess how the program fits in with the other programs and services that already exist in your community. The following questions can help guide you through this information gathering process.

1. What other volunteer opportunities are offered to youth in your community?


2. How can YVC work in collaboration with the organizations that offer these opportunities?


3. Is there a diverse group of direct service agencies that will accept teams and groups of Youth Volunteers?


4. Will schools in the area with diverse student populations allow the YVC to recruit youth? Are they interested in service-learning opportunities for students?


5. What is the level of youth interest for participating in YVC?


6. What is the level of interest and possible commitment from community and business leaders and potential funders to offer start-up and long-term support for YVC?


7. What potential exists for public/private partnerships to enhance the sustainability of the program?

IV. Establish a Steering Committee. (Optional)

Proceeding with program development at this stage may involve organizing a group of committed individuals representing various interests to assist the Sponsoring Organization with the actual formation of the YVC program. This generally takes the form of a Steering Committee. It is the purpose of the Steering Committee to guide and complete the planning process. In summary, committee tasks include solidifying and maintaining community support, determining the program's operating budget, fundraising and assisting the Sponsoring Organization with the selection of the Program Director.

V. Investigate Funding Resources.

Since fundraising is an on-going process, it is important that it be approached from a long-term perspective. Developing and implementing a comprehensive fund development strategy is crucial as you begin your fundraising activities.

Suggested Funding Resources:

• Foundations
  
• Corporate Giving
  
• United Way
  
• Federal/State
  
• County and Municipality
  
• Collaborative Organizations and Groups
  
• The Sponsoring Organization
  
• Individuals and Special Events
  
• In-kind Donations

VI. Next Steps

Once funding has been secured, it is time to have the Executive Director and Board Chairperson for the Sponsoring Organization sign the YVCA Affiliation Agreement that carries a $400 annual affiliation fee. You are now an official YVC program.

It is now time to hire the Program Director. YVCA offers a sample Position Description and suggestions for reviewing candidates. Once the Program Director is hired, the program is off and running. Projects can be selected and youth can be recruited and placed.

If you have any questions regarding the steps summarized above or the Youth Volunteer Corps in general, please contact YVCA.