Old Dominion Job Corps Students Made 2011 Global Youth Service Day a Spectacular Success

 By Jeanne Vaughan, Old Dominion Job Corps Business Community Liaison 
Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) was officially recognized from April 15-17, 2011, although Old Dominion Job Corps Center staff and students participated in volunteer activities for most of the month of April. 

GYSD participation for students in 2010 was outstanding when 138 students participated in volunteer activities in our community. For 2011 Global Youth Service Day, ODJCC students outdid their student participation numbers in 2010 by 71% with 236 students participating in GYSD activities.  Staff participation increased by 91% and organizational participation increased by 10%. 

During Global Youth Service Day our students participated in activities that related to disaster relief, poverty, homelessness, health, environment, safety, education, and other community services.  The organizations served included the County of Amherst’s Department of Parks and Recreation, Amherst County Museum, Amelon Early Learning Center,  Amherst County’s 250th Year Celebration, “Gleaning for the World”, Central Virginia Community College, Sweet Briar College, the Daily Bread, Rebuilding Together’s “Heroes at Home”, Jubilee Center, Fairmont Crossing Nursing Home, Department of Motor Vehicles Adopt- A- Highway program, Johnson Health Care Center, Habitat for Humanity, Family Care Center, Adult Care Center, and Centra PACE.

Our students replaced a roof on a veteran’s home; cleared a trail to accommodate a mini triathlon; prepared and served food for the needy; moved and set up furniture for County events; collected and sorted donations for disaster relief; cleaned Father Judge Road of debris; assisted the elderly with craft activities; worked with pre-schoolers doing crafts, reading stories and playing outdoor games; presented safety information and played safety games with residents and staff of a health care center; performed variety of construction duties; assisted in numerous health related activities such as patient check-in, data entry, and checking vitals; performed landscaping and painting duties; worked in a motor pool; and assisted with children’s games.

Our students are continuing to make a very positive impact in the community and their efforts and attitudes are being recognized.  The opportunity to give back to the community is new to many of our students, but most all who have participated want to do it again.  Our students are encouraged to include their volunteer activities on their resumes.  Employers look upon young people who volunteer as good citizens who will most likely become good employees.

Thank you ODJCC staff and students for an outstanding showing for Global Youth Service Day. You continue to make me proud to be a part of this organization.