SERVICE FOCUS WITH GLOBAL YOUTH SERVICE DAY

Semester of Service
Everyone knows that Martin Luther King Jr. Day takes place on the third Monday in January. Martin Luther King Jr. Day also marks the kickoff for Youth Service America’s Semester of Service. Minnesota FCCLA has been involved for many years with Youth Service America’s program Global Youth Service Day, but this year we are expanding our involvement to cover the entire Semester of Service. But what is a Semester of Service? Like Global Youth Service Day, Semester of Service is a time for service learning projects, except Semester of Service starts on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and continues through Global Youth Service Day on April 17th. This is a great time to get your chapter involved in service projects and learn while doing it. The Executive Council recently began our own Semester of Service with our projects on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We took part in the rallies at St Paul Central High School and Concordia College and also the March between the two locations. After the rallies, we proceeded to Second Harvest Heartland, a hunger relief organization. There we packaged food to be sent to food shelves and those in need. We were also lucky enough to take part in the Hunger 101 course that is offered by Second Harvest Heartland. This 90-minute workshop was an eye opening experience that showed us how tough it can be to find healthy and affordable food on a tight budget. Our day was filled with service learning and fun, but it is just the beginning to Semester of Service. With over two months to work, we will be able to achieve great things. So start a service-learning project with your chapter and help make a difference.
Lucas Koch – Vice President of Resource and Development