“Youth who volunteer are more likely to do well in school, graduate, vote and be philanthropic,” cites the UCLA/Higher Education Institute. In addition, “young people who volunteer just one hour a week are 50% less likely to abuse drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, or engage in destructive behavior”, according to the Search Institute.
DeKalb County KEYS (Keep Engaging Youth to Succeed) and Kishwaukee United Way are hosting their second annual Care or Be Square Youth & Family Volunteer Fair for DeKalb County middle and high school youth on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at DeKalb Park District’s Hopkins Park Community Center (1403 Sycamore Road, DeKalb) from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Mary Hess, Asset Specialist at DeKalb County KEYS Initiative and Ben Gordon Prevention and Education Program says “Not long ago, our research found only 22% of DeKalb and Sycamore youth report they are given useful roles in the community. The youth & family volunteer fair is one way we can let our kids know that they can make a valuable contribution in the communities where they live. ”
The Care to Be Square Youth & Family Volunteer Fair is free and open to students from all DeKalb County middle and high schools. It is designed to facilitate volunteer connections and help ignite the volunteer spirit that has shaped our thriving community. The volunteer fair hopes to provide young people and their families with a myriad of opportunities that will compliment both their interests and schedules.
Twenty or more local organizations will be on hand to talk to youth about the various volunteer opportunities available. Fair visitors will receive a booklet to help them navigate the fair and learn about additional volunteer opportunities. Information about numerous community service based scholarships will also be available. Thanks to the generous support of the DeKalb Township Committee on Youth, all fair visitors will be able to enter their name into a drawing to win an I-Pod touch.
“We are excited to co-host the youth and family fair again this year in conjunction with KEYS. We are pleased to offer a resource specifically tailored to young people in our community.” says Dawn Littlefield, Kishwaukee United Way Executive Director. “We hope students and families will join us on 4/16 to learn how they can give back to others through volunteering, have fun, and learn more about the great agencies in our area, as well.”
To get further information, including vendor registration forms, contact Mary Hess at 815.756.8501, ext 111.
Click Here To Submit A News Tip Or Story