Welcome to the Volunteer Center for Anne Arundel County

First launched in 1987 in Kansas, the Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC) of America model has since been established in communities nationwide. Programs are sponsored locally by diverse community-based organizations such as Volunteer Centers, HandsOn Affiliates, YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, Camp Fire, United Way, City Parks & Recreation and school districts. Funding is provided by foundations, corporations, individuals, United Ways, and local and federal government. The program consists of two fundamental components:

Summer Component
In the summer, youth volunteer on teams supervised by trained Team Leaders and work on extended projects that allow them to see larger outcomes accomplished. The intensive design of the summer component reinforces teamwork, appreciation for diversity and civic responsibility.
School-Year Component
During the school year, YVC staff and partners work closely with youth to design and implement age-appropriate service projects that meet school and community service needs. In addition, young people from throughout the community work together on service projects after school, on weekends and during school breaks.

Youth Volunteer Corps of the Corridor

The Youth Volunteer Corps of the Corridor (YVCC) is a local affiliate of the YVC of America under which The Volunteer Center For Anne Arundel County administers youth volunteer programs. The mission of the YVCC is: "To create and increase volunteer opportunities to enrich youth in our community, address local needs and develop a lifetime commitment to service." The goals of of the organization are four-fold:

To engage young people in service projects that are challenging, rewarding and educational.

To serve the unmet needs of our community and its residents.

To promote among young people a greater understanding & appreciation for the diversity of their community.

To promote a lifetime ethic of service among young people.

This year's Summer Component (Volunteer Summer Serve 2010 Leadership Challenge Program) has been developed by The Volunteer Center in partnership with the Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks and is described below.

This program for students entering 8^th-10^th grade is being conducted by the Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks in collaboration with the Volunteer Center for Anne Arundel County, which is subsidizing the program with funding from a grant received from the Comcast Foundation. The Volunteer Summer Serve Leadership Challenge (V.S.S.L.C.) Program is designed to provide mature youth a structured environment, with an opportunity to gain volunteer leadership. Participants will be given the opportunity to volunteer in a variety of different settings, which include working with individuals with disabilities, park conservation and clean up, and working with other community agencies. Participants will need to be able to communicate and work well with others in a team-building atmosphere. In addition to their volunteering, participants will attend lectures, field trips, and other activities which assist in teaching skills in leadership and decision-making.

The program will be conducted four times in two-week sessions during June, July, and August 2010 and applicants will be given the choice of applying for one, two, three, or all four sessions. Applicants must have completed (at least) the 7th grade by June of 2010 and must fill out and submit an Application Form to the Anne Arundel Dept. of Recreation and Parks by May 14 2010 Applicants will be required to provide references, include a written essay, and be interviewed prior to acceptance into the program. A minimal fee of $30 for a 2-week session is assessed per participant in conjunction with a matched payment of $60 by the Volunteer Center and the Comcast grant. Additional sessions are available but participants will have to pay the full fee of $90 per session. A limited number of scholarships are available for this program which can be awarded based on an applicant's need. [(Click Here) to download a Scholarship Application].

As a volunteer, this experience is an opportunity to earn community service hours. Once you complete ALL the requirements for the V.S.S.L.C. program you will receive a letter of completion and a certificate of hours earned. You may use this as experience when you begin to interview for employment in any field, apply for college, and utilize what you have learned in various aspects through out your life.