Center for Expanding Leadership & Opportunity

"When we remove this kind of traditional idea of service – like service being limited to volunteering – then we reshape it into more than just individual moments. It becomes inclusive of people having the courage to get involved in a movement that's bigger than just them. When that sense of purpose is driven through those everyday heroes that we uplift, I think service becomes more powerful to the heart and the mind for young people.”  - Trey Baker, Scholastic Corporation    In partnership with The Allstate Foundation, we have brought together service leaders from across the nation to author two reports on #YouthLedYouthDriven service. These reports generated a new definition and model of service for contemporary society, design considerations to guide the next decade of youth-led, youth-driven service, and shared narratives and recommendations from young people who change their communities, and our world, by serving others.    Visit https://lnkd.in/gviXjd3J to read both of the reports and share with your networks!

"A world that empowers me to serve is one that decenters individualism and values and upholds collectivism. One that is not rooted in power and success but rather values. Rest is resistance and I think a world that understands that we do not have to be working all the time to be valuable is important. Service to me is taking care of yourself just as much as you take care of other people. Service to me means community.”  – Fatimata Cham, Climate 4 Sisterhood    Authored by 13 remarkable young service leaders hailing from across the United States the In Our Own Voices report is a testament to the passion, innovation, and dedication of young people in driving positive change within their communities.    At the heart of this report are four pivotal themes identified by our youth authors:   1️⃣ Youth-led, youth-driven initiatives  2️⃣ Access  3️⃣ Mentorship, and   4️⃣ Sustainable community engagement.  Through their experiences and insights, these themes emerge as essential pillars for effecting lasting and impactful change.    Visit https://lnkd.in/gviXjd3J to read both of the reports on #YouthLedYouthDriven service in partnership with The Allstate Foundation. 

“Service is important because it’s the driving force for change and innovation. There are so many problems we face on a daily basis that can easily be changed and even more that can’t easily be changed unless we put in the time and effort. If we aren’t putting in the effort, who else will?” - J’Lynn R., Norfolk State University    We recently unveiled TWO new reports about the potential of youth service in partnership with The Allstate Foundation. It’s not just research – it’s a call-to-action, outlining specific action steps and design principles that we can, collectively, begin putting into place today.     We invite you to download and explore these reports here (https://lnkd.in/gviXjd3J), and would be more than happy to engage with you as you review and consider our recommendations – driven by conversations with more than 3,000 youth and youth-serving professionals. 

Funded by The Allstate Foundation, the Center for Expanding Leadership & Opportunity has released a companion publication to "Leveraging the Potential of Youth Service" entitled "In Our Own Voices." It builds on the core concepts by bringing to life youth realities, reflections, and aspirations for community service and its role in our lives and broader society. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ear9ZFX7

Don't miss out! Applications for The Allstate Foundation National Youth Service Summit are rolling in, but there's still time for YOU to apply.  Apply today and join a community of passionate changemakers!    https://lnkd.in/dxGrSpd7    #YouthLedYouthDriven #Service #YouthEmpowerment #YouthServiceSummit

Sharing a loud THANK YOU to the editors of our newly released report on #YouthLedYouthDriven service in partnership with The Allstate Foundation. Abrianna Morales and Tiana Day brought together the voices of 13 remarkable changemakers from across the country, weaving together their experiences, insights, and recommendations into a powerful narrative of empowerment and impact.    Tiana and Abrianna, your passion for amplifying the voices of young leaders shines through in every page of this report. Your commitment to fostering lasting and meaningful community collaborations is truly inspiring, and your collaborative spirit elevated this report to new heights.    And to all of the contributing authors, both In Our Own Voices and Leveraging the Potential of Youth Service: thank you for lending us your time and expertise. The intergenerational approach to these two reports makes them a uniquely relevant and deeply personal read.    We invite you to join us in celebrating the voices, ideas, and contributions of young people driving social change across the nation. You can learn more about the editors and authors by downloading and exploring the reports here: https://lnkd.in/gviXjd3J   “We encourage you, whoever and wherever you are, to keep asking questions, starting conversations, and imagining ways to make your community and our world a better place.”  - Abrianna Morales, National Organization for Victim Advocacy NOVA - Tiana Day, Youth Advocates for Change

I am so excited to share the release of a report on #YouthLedYouthDriven service in partnership with The Allstate Foundation and Center for Expanding Leadership & Opportunity titled “In Our Own Voices: Youth Perspectives on Community Service.” As one of 16 associate editors representing various ages, interests, and service backgrounds, I contributed to this insightful piece that amplifies the voices and perspectives of young changemakers from across the United States. In a world where youth engagement in service is more crucial than ever, this report dives deep into the power of young people leading the charge for positive change. From innovative initiatives to best practices, it’s a testament to the incredible impact young people can make when they’re given the opportunity. I’m incredibly grateful and proud to have been part of this project. Let’s continue to support and elevate the next generation of leaders! Check out the full report here (https://lnkd.in/gPkm2jH9) and join the conversation!

The CELO team is excited to continue our partnership with The Allstate Foundation in support of their efforts focused on empowering youth to serve and improve communities.     Through this collaboration, we’ve created two reports on the future of youth service: ⭐ Leveraging the Potential of Youth Service: A Call to Action  Learn how young people today define service. (It’s not what you might think.) Find suggestions for raising youth voices in your organization, and more. then can go into who it is co-created by youth, scholars, and service-centered organizations. The results introduce a new definition, model, and design considerations to guide the next decade of #YouthLedYouthDriven service. ⭐ In Our Own Voices: Youth Perspectives on Community Service  This companion piece to our first report builds off The Allstate Foundation’s efforts to redefine youth #service. The report brought together 13 associate editors representing various ages, service backgrounds, and regions across the United States to elevate the voices of young people who change their communities, and our world, by serving others.    We invite you to explore these reports here (https://lnkd.in/gviXjd3J), and encourage you to share them within your communities. By amplifying the reach of this valuable knowledge, we can spark meaningful conversations, drive informed decision-making, and inspire collective action.    These reports wouldn't have been possible without the support of The Allstate Foundation, and the expertise of our partners, including the 2023 Youth Service Fellows and associate editors. Thank you for your continued partnership and dedication to empowering young people. Together, we have been able to produce a richer, more expansive narrative of service.

We are grateful to partner with The Allstate Foundation in their commitment to empowering youth to serve and improve communities. As a part of that commitment, the Foundation has launched the National Youth Service Summit, funded by The Allstate Foundation and hosted by CELO.    The Summit will bring together youth changemakers (aged 18-22) from across the United States for a weekend of learning, networking, and collaboration. Attendees will leave this experience feeling even more connected, committed, confident, and empowered to continue and improve their service work in communities.    Do you know a service leader in your network who is ready to level up their impact? Encourage them to apply today at https://lnkd.in/dxGrSpd7 #Service #YouthEmpowerment #YouthServiceSummit 

Calling all dynamic young leaders! Are you eager to amplify your service initiatives and expand your network? Dive into a weekend of empowerment, collaboration, and inspiration at The Allstate Foundation National Youth Service Summit. This collective offers a dynamic platform for dialogue, collaboration, and collective action. Apply today and elevate your leadership journey: https://lnkd.in/dxGrSpd7 #Service #YouthEmpowerment #YouthServiceSummit