The Ray

Summer Volunteering for Youth

New Partnerships

Shout Outs for Service-Learners

Fun-raising Opportunities

View Learn and Serve Tampa Inc website

Keep in mind, students can create their own service projects! You just need a nonprofit or community organization, not a relative, who can attest to your hours. Check out Independent Service Leader on our website to get started.

Register for the 2023 FREE Virtual Leadership Experience, Friday June, 23 from 2:00 – 5:00 PM EST, & Saturday, June 24 from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM EST.

You’re invited to join NYLC for a FREE, two-day virtual leadership experience hosted by NYLC’s very own Youth Advisory Council. This Summit is for young people ages 14-18 who are interested in youth leadership development, igniting their voice, and solving pressing issues! Participants will hear from national service leaders, nonprofit organizations, and other young people who are using service-learning to generate positive change in their communities! We will discuss pressing issues like diversity/inclusion, equity, women’s rights, public health, gun control, climate change, and more.

The Youth Leadership Summit will…

• Highlight youth/adult partnerships working in communities to ignite change
• Inspire youth to pursue passion projects and change-making
• Encourage youth to be outspoken and create action-oriented solutions
• Spotlight successful youth leaders from around the world

Youth benefit in many ways from volunteering over the summer break. We like to hear that students are doing service because they are passionate about a cause or doing service brings them joy, but we also know that students need community service for scholarships, honor societies, and faith-based purposes. Here are few places to find opportunities in the Tampa area. You can also use the links on our website to connect to organizations like the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, and Feeding America Tampa. HCPS High School students use Profferfish to document hours (except IB students). If you are a rising freshman, you cannot set up your account until your records roll to your high school. This should be in late June or early July. Then you can follow the instructions listed HERE to set up your account.

United Way Suncoast

VolunteerMatch

EventBrite

Frameworks is now taking applications for the 2023-2024 Teens In Action program. Applications are being accepted throughout June. This is a great way for high school students to build personal and social skills as well as earn community service hours.

Learn and Serve Tampa Inc has been approved as a Partner in Education. This expands our opportunity to meet with school leaders and share our programs and services, allowing each individual school to learn how we can help bring service-learning to its students. We look forward to connecting with schools who are looking to improve climate and culture, expand youth voice and choice, and build community connections through service-learning.

Thanks to the Hillsborough County Veterans Council for welcoming me at the May meeting to share about Learn and Serve Tampa Inc. Veterans can be a valuable resource in service-learning projects both as knowledgeable speakers and helpful hands. We look forward to partnering with veteran groups on projects in the near future. Pictured with Dr. Verdi is Mary Ellen Harland of the Veterans Council. Special thanks to Toni Gross, Gold Star Mother, for the invite!

We are seeking new board members who share our passion for youth and their need to build civic responsibility and resiliency through service-learning in Tampa area K-12 schools. Please email Dr. Verdi about your interest and to receive more information.

These teachers supported students doing service-learning this year! The projects varied and each met the needs of those students who were involved. Look for a summer Service-Learning Professional Development opportunity in July's Newsletter.

Learn and Serve Tampa Inc was able to capture information about many youth service projects that occurred between April 14 and May 14. There were 10 events hosted around Tampa that shared data, some within schools, and others open the the public. We were able to capture 736 youth between the ages of 5-25 who participated in at least one event for a minimum of two hours. These youth logged over 2,500 hours of service throughout the month. Learn and Serve Tampa Inc worked with 20 partner organizations and over 300 adults who supported youth service in many ways.

Help us raise much needed funding and win prizes! Raffle items will be posted on and ticket sales will begin on Tuesday, July 4 at 8:00 A.M. and will continue until July 20 at 8:00 P.M. Go here to see the event link and save it on your calendar!