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23 Global Youth Service Day projects awarded grants

General Press Coverage

The Michigan Community Service Commission and Michigan Nonprofit Association today announced the distribution of $7,000 in mini-grant funds to support 2016 Global Youth Service Day projects across the state.

Global Youth Service Day is an annual volunteer event that celebrates and mobilizes the millions of youth who improve their communities each day through service and service-learning.

Established in 1988 by Youth Service America, Global Youth Service Day is the largest service event in the world and is now celebrated in more than 100 countries. On this day, children and youth address the world's most critical issues in partnership with families, schools, community and faith-based organizations, businesses, and governments.

MCSC and MNA, with support from Youth Service America, will fund 23 projects with grants ranging from $200 to $500. Nearly 2,000 youth volunteers will complete close to 10,000 volunteer hours during projects taking place on or around April 15, 16 and 17.
Thanks to these mini-grants, thousands of Michigan youth will address critical issues in their communities, including education, economic opportunity, health, clean energy and environmental stewardship, hunger, homelessness, supporting veterans and military families, and public safety.

“Engaging youth in volunteerism is an incredibly rewarding experience for everyone involved,” said Ginna Holmes, MCSC executive director. “We are proud to support these projects and assist youth in making a difference in their communities.”

“When we share our time and talents, we solve problems, improve the lives of others, make new connections and ultimately strengthen our communities.” said Donna Murray-Brown, president and CEO of Michigan Nonprofit Association. “This is a wonderful opportunity to learn from, share with and get inspired by one another.”

Grant awardees:
American Red Cross of Southeast Michigan, Ann Arbor
$350 for military comfort kits

Blandford Nature Center, Grand Rapids
$200 for environmental education

Carson City-Crystal Area Schools, Carson City
$200 for park cleanup

Cat Packs, Marquette
$200 for childhood hunger

Forgotten Harvest, Oak Park
$350 for organizing food for hungry

Global Transformation Group Incorporated, Detroit
$200 for Detroit flood cleanup

Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids
$200 for recycling project

Hope Center Inc., Hamtramck
$200 for community cleanup

Ionia County Intermediate School District, Ionia County
$350 for sack dinners for children

Michigan Association of United Ways, Detroit
$350 for veteran community garden

Michigan State University Extension 4-H Tech Wizards, Muskegon
$200 for park cleanup

Michigan State University; MSU Alumni, Grand Rapids
$350 for blankets for children

Partridge Creek Farm, Ishpeming
$350 for community garden cleanup

SER Metro-Detroit, Jobs for Progress, Inc., Detroit
$200 for blight removal

South Oakland Shelter, Lathrup Village
$500 for shelter improvement

The South Side Community Coalition, Detroit
$200 for 4-H urban garden

Starr Commonwealth-Detroit, Detroit
$350 for hygiene packs for homeless

TrueNorth Community Services, Fremont
$350 for hygiene backpacks for kids

Urban Neighborhood Initiatives, Detroit
$350 for Detroit cleanup

Urban Safety Program, Detroit
$500 for vacant home board-up

United Way of the Lakeshore, Muskegon
$350 for park cleanup

United Way of Saginaw County, Saginaw/Midland
$350 for shelter improvement

Volunteer Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo
$350 for city park improvement