Washington (December 17, 2008) – Youth Service America (YSA) launches Semester of Service on January 19, 2009, a campaign to engage millions of young people across America in semester-long community service programs.  With support from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, Semester of Service provides the framework and tools for children and youth from schools, colleges and universities, youth centers, and faith-based organizations to improve their communities.

Semester of Service links two highly-visible service events: Martin Luther King Day of Service in January and Global Youth Service Day in April.  Semester of Service provides opportunities for “service-learning” as students link community service with in-school or out of school curriculum.  YSA provides several resources that allow students to plan, implement, and reflect on their projects, including the Semester of Service Strategy Guide.  A classroom poster and tool kit (available at www.semesterofservice.org) include lesson plans and suggestions on how youth, schools, and organizations can implement positive change in communities.

According to a report from RMC Research Corporation, service-learning has a greater impact on both the child and the community when the duration of the project lasts the length of a semester, spanning approximately 70 hours.  In addition to promoting higher rates of academic achievement, service-learning also provides opportunities to foster diversity, technical and social skill building, critical thinking and problem solving skills, and youth leadership.  Semester of Service projects will focus on challenges in health, education, human service, and the environment.

“Children and youth can be huge assets and resources to their communities, the country, and the world,” said Steve Culbertson, president and CEO of YSA.  “Semester of Service and the accompanying resources empower students to improve their communities while also learning about how the problems were created in the first place.”

Bank of America is the lead sponsor for YSA’s Semester of Service campaign, providing major grant support to the initiative.  Its sponsorship, alongside funders that include the Corporation for National and Community Service, State Farm Companies Foundation, Disney, and UnitedHealth Group, enables YSA to provide resources for educators and over 200 small grants to student groups and teachers implementing Semester of Service projects.

“Bank of America believes today’s youth have an opportunity to positively impact the world we live in,” said Kerry Sullivan, National Philanthropy Executive, Bank of America. “By investing in student service, Bank of America invests in an infrastructure that benefits individuals in need, putting communities on the road to economic recovery.”

Studies show that 69% of high school dropouts see no relevance to school and are not motivated to get their degree.  Semester of Service harnesses youth energy and directs it toward positive, visible outcomes.  By connecting community service and learning, students discover that school is meaningful in their daily lives and that they have the capacity to change the world.

For more information about Youth Service America and Semester of Service, visit www.semesterofservice.org or email semester@ysa.org.