ServiceVote Challenge Invites Young People to Get Involved in the Political Process

Youth Service America’s campaign to engage young people in the political process was unveiled today with the ServiceVote Challenge on ServiceVote.org.  With volunteering and voting on the rise among young people, ServiceVote challenges young people to connect the critical issues they care about with the range of institutions and activities that make our democracy work.

“Service plays a powerful role in political engagement, academic achievement, and workforce readiness,” says Steve Culbertson, president and CEO of Youth Service America.  “ServiceVote is a one-stop shop where young people can combine their love of service and get involved in the political process at the same time,” Culbertson adds.

Sponsored by State Farm Companies Foundation, the ServiceVote Challenge asks young people across the country to commit to addressing an issue they care about by developing an action plan that includes service-learning, electoral participation, and civic engagement.  To support young people in implementing their action plans, ServiceVote.org provides young people with a variety of tools, including up-to-date news and information on the 2008 election and the defining issues; opportunities for dialogue and peer interaction through a discussion forum and social networking websites;  and multiple resources for taking action through service and political engagement.

ServiceVote is Youth Service America's campaign to engage young people in the American democratic process, beginning with voting.  Building on the significant recent growth in both youth volunteering and voting, ServiceVote 2008 challenges young people to think critically about how to affect the larger issues that they work to address through service by participation in the political process. 

Youth Service America is an international nonprofit resource center that partners with thousands of organizations in more than 100 countries and seeks to improve communities by increasing the number and diversity of young people, ages 5-25, serving in important roles.    Founded in 1986, Youth Service America’s mission is to expand the impact of the youth service movement with families, communities, schools, corporations, and governments.  For more information: www.YSA.org.