San Diego Youth Commission Awarded $500 to Lead National Youth Service Day Project
Donation from AT&T Will Fund Graffiti Paint Out

SAN DIEGO, CA AND WASHINGTON, D.C.- Youth Service America (YSA) today awarded $500 to the San Diego Youth Commission through AT&T Cares Youth Service Action Fund. Selected from more than 1,000 applicants, the San Diego Youth Commission will use the funds to conduct a graffiti paint out at the San Diego Centers for Education and Technology, Educational Cultural Complex in conjunction with other youth and students from the San Diego's "6 to 6" Extended School Day Program on Saturday, April 12, 2003 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Youth Service America awarded 50 service and service-learning project grants nationally through the organization's State Farm Good Neighbor Service-Learning Awards and AT&T Cares Youth Service Action Fund. State Farm Companies Foundation is the presenting sponsor of National Youth Service Day 2003.

This event will commemorate National Youth Service Day, a pubic awareness and education campaign that highlights the amazing contributions that young people make to their communities 365 days a year. As the largest service event in the world, engaging millions of young people, National Youth Service Day draws together a remarkable consortium of local, regional and national partners, while recruiting the next generation of young volunteers. Youth in more than 150 countries join their peers in the United States as part of the Fourth Annual Global Youth Service Day, which takes place concurrently with support from the GM Foundation.

"As chair of the City's Public Safety & Neighborhood Services Committee, I am proud to make graffiti removal a priority in our neighborhoods," said Councilmember Brian Maienschein. "I also formed the San Diego Youth Commission to showcase our young leaders and give them the opportunity to make positive impacts in our communities, instead of letting them get bad publicity for problems like graffiti."

The Service-Learning Awards enable youth and educators to bring positive benefits of service-learning to more young people. This grant is for both young people ages five to 25 and teachers to implement service-learning projects for National Youth Service Day 2003.

"As our greatest national asset, it is only fitting that young people in America play a lead role in learning about community needs, while giving their time, energy, commitment, and experience," said Steve Culbertson, president and CEO of Youth Services America. "Millions of young people serving together on National Youth Service Day creates a tidal wave of good and sends a powerful message of hope and healing across the globe," Culbertson added.

Fifty grants of $500 each were awarded to young people and 50 grants were awarded to teachers to engage classes, and 50 grants of $500 were awarded to youth and organizations. The AT&T Cares Youth Services Action Fund was created to provide direct assistance to youth and youth organizations to lead signature service projects during National Youth Service Day and beyond. These projects may also have a service-learning component, but youth are encouraged to use their creativity and resourcefulness to address unmet needs and problems in their communities.

National Youth Services Day is coordinated by Youth Service America, in partnership with the National Youth Leadership Council and PARADE Magazine. Youth Service America is joined by a consortium that includes more than 60 of the nations largest nonprofit and youth development organizations, including America's Promise; Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America; Campfire USA; Habitat for Humanity; national Education Association; the US Conference of Mayors; and YMCA of the USA.

In order to establish a united voice for youth, the San Diego Youth Commission collaborates with local government to provide opportunities for youth to positively contribute to the community. The Commission is composed of 31 members aged 14 to 22, and advises the Mayor and other City officials on issues affecting youth in the City of San Diego.

For more information or to schedule an interview please contact Deb Ferrin, Child Care Coordinator for the Community Services Division of the Community and Economic Development Department, at (619) 533-6511.

# # #

With an emphasis on the City's urban core neighborhoods and low- and moderate-income residents, the Community and Economic Development Department strives to improve the quality of life and ensure a healthy economy in San Diego through job development, business development, neighborhood revitalization, public improvements, redevelopment, social services, and revenue enhancement.