Nominate a Teen with a Dream

Are you a high school student with a passion for creating change?  Do you know someone who is?

If so, now may be the time to recognize extraordinary service to others by participating in the National Child Awareness Month Ambassadors Program.  You can do this by being nominated or nominating a representative from your area to receive leadership training and a grant to develop and implement large-scale service projects focused on youth.

YSA (Youth Service America) is partnering with the Festival of Children Foundation to offer the Ambassadors Program, which aims to give youth between the ages of 16 and 22 the opportunity to bring awareness to key issues affecting children and implement projects in their home states.

The program includes an all-expense paid leadership training session in D.C., ongoing resources and support, and a special event on Capitol Hill to celebrate National Child Awareness Month. In addition, 51 Ambassadors will each receive $1,000 to implement proposed awareness and service projects around the country.

It’s a pretty sweet deal, supported by some really prestigious sponsors, to further an ongoing career in community service or to kick start an all-new venture for someone dreaming of making a difference in their community.  And colleges love to see this kind of initiative and self-motivation.

To qualify, a student must be nominated by an organization, a community leader, or an adult mentor.  In a short application, nominators are asked to speak to inspiration, achievements, leadership, and the nominee’s future plans.

Nominees are also asked to complete an application providing details on a proposed project for the Ambassador Program.  Note that the questions are very similar to those required of Boy Scouts working on Eagle projects or Girl Scouts earning their Gold Awards.  If you know a scout whose project is set to take place sometime after September, this may be a good way for them to obtain additional financial support.

Note that time is short. All nominations and nominee applications must be received by July 29, 2012.

For more information or to download nomination materials, visit the National Child Awareness Month website.