Youth Volunteer Corps of America
From Service-Learning Wiki
| This program was profiled in Growing to Greatness 2004. |
First launched in 1987, the Youth Volunteer Corps of America (YVC) model has been established in numerous communities nationwide in partnership with community-based organizations, school districts, and municipalities. Foundations, corporations, individuals, United Ways, and governments provide funding. While each local community’s YVC program is tailored to meet unique needs, all programs meet 12 “National Program Standards.”
YVC provides service-learning opportunities for youths, ages 11-18.YVC’s mission is to create and increase volunteer opportunities to enrich America’s youths, address community needs, and develop a lifetime commitment to service. It offers communities a proven, cost-effective youth service program to engage diverse groups of young people in service projects designed by local government and non-profit agencies. Programs include the “Clown Corps” in Arizona, in which participants entertain at senior homes, hospital, and childcare centers; oral history projects; programs to serve children and youths; as well as physical community development projects.
Recruited from inner cities, suburbs and rural areas, youth volunteers, ages 11-18, reflect the ethnic and socio-economic diversity of the community.This rich mix of participants enhances ethnic appreciation, teamwork, and civic responsibility.
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Service-Learning in Youth Volunteer Corps
During the school-year,YVC program directors are expected to work closely with young people and their teachers to develop service-learning programs. Moreover, two out of the 12 standards for all Youth Volunteer Corps activities emphasize service-learning:
- Providing leadership opportunities for youth volunteers, and
- Establishing an integrated education and reflection process for participants.
Scope of Service-Learning
More than 40 YVC programs operate in 22 states and are sponsored by community-based organizations such as Volunteer Centers, the YMCA, United Way, and RSVP offices. Other sites are sponsored by schools and school districts and by local government. Last year,YVC programs recruited just over 40,000 youths. Its smaller programs involve 100 youths per year. Larger programs involve approximately 2,000 youths per year. About 75 percent of the youths serve during the school year, but 50 percent of hours are completed during the intensive summer program, averaging about 30 hours of service.The project duration ranges from half a day up to four weeks of full-time service.The average youth volunteer serves on three projects during the course of one year.
Intended Outcomes
The YVC model is based on research conducted in 1985 by the current YVC president, who visited existing service corps and interviewed leaders in the then-newly forming youth service field. YVC reports that several studies have demonstrated the program’s effectiveness in reaching young people and helping them develop a sense of confidence in their own abilities as well as greater empathy for others.
Two intensive independent evaluations have been conducted on YVC. The first was funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and conducted by Dr. Lynne Ford of the College of Charleston from 1992 to 1995. Results included impacts on youth attitudes regarding the experiences, learning and growth, and impacts on community. For 2003-2005, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation has hired the Youth Policy Research Group to evaluate YVC impact.
