Youth as Solutions (YaS) aims to foster a generation of young individuals who are enthusiastic about effecting positive change within their schools and communities. This is pursued through addressing key issues such as community health, educational equity, and environmental justice, with programs that equip youth and their adult mentors with leadership skills, quality service-learning instruction, and resources.
The grant program, overseen by Youth as Solutions (YaS), supports the development of youth leadership teams in grades 6-12 to identify and act on community issues. These teams, guided by an adult mentor, engage in a self-paced, active learning journey to tackle subjects ranging from teen driving safety to health promotion within Latino communities, among other community-specific matters. The core objectives include increasing educational equity, enhancing community health, and promoting environmental justice through various service-learning projects. Recipients are expected to attend a Virtual Kickoff Training, investigate community needs, plan and implement a service project or campaign, and showcase their outcomes. The program offers $250-$1000 in grants for project expenses, alongside training, resources, professional development, and opportunities for national recognition and further engagement in service-learning communities.