Express Interest for Youth Engaged in Service (YES)

"It really opened my eyes about the problems in Alexandria," says a program attendee after her three-day experience.

Youth Engaged in Service (YES) is a FREE program for youth and is focused on community engagement. Participants will learn more about social issues facing Alexandrians and how nonprofits address these issues, and then will earn direct service hours and service learning hours. We use the P.A.R.E. model, which offers a structured approach to high-quality service-learning experiences, which include the key components of Preparation, Action, Reflection, and Evaluation. This allows students to be exposed to new realities that open their eyes and challenge what they thought they knew. We want students to notice their discomfort, discuss it within a supportive community, and consider how they might live their lives differently.

The program is a chance for students in grades 6 through 12 to learn about the issues facing their community and to do something about them. Participants will engage with nonprofits, city agencies, and people from all walks of life as they earn service hours, explore career paths, and develop real-world skills. Program FAQ. This program is partially grant-funded through the City of Alexandria’s Fund for Human Services and supported by the Finance of America Cares Foundation. 

The Spring programming dates are Tuesday, March 31, to Thursday, April 2, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. We'll have a half-day from 9:30 to 12:30 on Saturday, April 25. Choose days as needed!
This program is free for residents of Alexandria. Use this form to express interest so we can determine events - this is NOT the final sign-up. The location will be in-person. Looking forward to it!