Katie from Clarkston - 2009 SLYC Member

Hello! My name is Katie and I attend Clarkston High School in Clarkston, Michigan. I’m looking forward to being a member of the Service Learning Youth Council (SLYC) this year because it pushes me to step outside of my comfort zone and be more aware and more compassionate about my community.

Here in Clarkston we are working to promote service-learning. In the elementary schools we have worked to develop new service-learning programs. My mom, Kathleen, actually coordinates one of the projects at Independence Elementary.

Every year each grade participates in a different service activity. Kindergarteners make care packages with donated toiletries for Grace Centers of Hope; prior to the event they sort each donated item which is tied to their grade level curriculum. In the first grade classes the students make dog and cat toys and treats for the local Humane Society. As part of the learning aspect, they graph different groups of animal toys in class. Second graders write letters to soldiers and send a large care package. These students work on the letters throughout their classroom writing sessions. In the third grade classes, students package muffins for Meals On Wheels and incorporate a writing aspect. Fourth graders make fleece blankets for project L.I.N.U.S., which provides blankets for ill children in hospitals. The students have to measure all of the materials and cooperatively work with a partner. Finally, in fifth grade, students hold a brunch for local senior citizens. The students conduct historical interviews, coordinate a musical performance, and play games with the senior citizens. All of these service-learning activities happen on S.O.C.K.S. Day (Serving Our Community Kids Style).

The 2009 S.O.C.K.S. Day was great – I helped volunteer at it. As usual, all of the kids at Independence Elementary really enjoyed helping out. Whether it was talking to a senior citizen or packaging muffins; volunteering became a reality to every student in the school. I was really glad I got to help my mom out with this huge project. The most rewarding part was the satisfaction in the kid's faces once they saw they had truly made a difference.

Erin from Clarkston – 2009 SLYC Member

Hi, my name is Erin and I am a student at Clarkston High School. I am engaged in service in a variety of ways.

Every year my family helps with a guitar give-away at the annual Noreaste’r Music and Art Festival in Mio, Michigan. Each year we buy up to 12 guitars to give to youth who would like to learn how to play music. All a kid has to do to be eligible for the guitar give-away is write an essay on why they want to learn how to play. The top 12 essays are then picked to receive a free guitar.

In order for my family to receive the guitars, we must fundraise to purchase them. On Sunday, March 15th, we held a fundraiser to do just that. We got a Michigan-based music artist to play a live show and requested $10 donations from concert attendees at the door. At the end of the day we raised over $1,300!

I think what my family does, through the guitar give-away, is important because it educates people about music. The Noreaste’r Music and Art Festival features folk music – not a genre many people listen to. We book folk bands for the Festival so people can learn to recognize this music. And, we get guitars for kids so they can see that music artists can be role models.

Welcome to the Michigan Youth Service Blog!

The Michigan Youth Service Blog aims to introduce you to the many members of Michigan's Service Learning Youth Council and the great service they are doing for our state.

Postings might reflect service to communities, organizations, or schools. The possibilities are endless for youth in Michigan. You can expect two new postings each month.

Please feel free to read their postings and comment - SLYC would love to hear your thoughts!!