June 2023

Brooks, a rising senior at York High School, has been a dedicated and active YVC member since middle school. He volunteers year-round at our evening and weekend projects and as part of our Summer of Service program. He is also a devoted member of his school's YVC club.

With over 425 volunteer hours, Brooks has served a variety of organizations and gained valuable insights, perspectives and skills. As a weekly volunteer with Special Olympics Bowling, he especially values his relationships with the athletes. Another favorite organization is S.A.M.E. (So All May Eat), which "addresses hunger on the Peninsula by enlisting volunteers to make and serve meals to those who are food insecure." He appreciates S.A.M.E.'s mission because they provide other critical resources to people in need, like clothing and hygiene items, and volunteers are able to help in direct, tangible ways.

When asked what he loves most when it comes to his experience as a volunteer, he says, "I love the feeling of satisfaction after completing a project and knowing that I'm addressing needs within my community."

Through his experience with YVC, Brooks says he has learned communication skills, problem solving, and responsibility--traits that will go a long way as he eventually enters college and the workforce. He also added, "The connections you make with others are the most important thing I will take away from my YVC experience."

Outside of YVC, Brooks (pictured above at a YVC project) loves spending time at the beach, hanging out with friends, and competing in his favorite sports - basketball, tennis, and swimming!

Online registration for this year's summer camp program is LIVE.

Limited spaces available! The registration link and important camp details are available at www.yvchr.org/ss2023. Please read carefully through all camp policies and schedules.

Important: Youth must have transportation to/from each service site. Locations for each session are subject to change; an official schedule will be emailed to all registered participants at least one week prior to the start of their camp session.

The cost per session is $100; need-based scholarships are available.

Session 1: Tuesday, June 13--Friday, June 16; 11am-4pm [FULL]

Session 2: Monday, June 26--Thursday, June 29; 8:30am-1:30pm [FULL]

Session 3: Monday, July 10--Thursday, July 13; 8:30am-1:30pm [FULL]

Session 4: Monday, July 24--Thursday, July 27; 8:30am-1:30pm [FULL]

Session 5: Monday, July 31--Thursday, August 3 [FULL]

VB Session 1: Monday, July 10--Thursday, July 13 (9:00am - 2:00pm) [2 SPOTS LEFT]

• Virginia Beach/Norfolk
• Locations to be announced by June 1st; check website for updates

VB Session 2: Monday, July 31--Thursday, August 3 (9:00am - 2:00pm) [2 SPOTS LEFT]

• Virginia Beach/Norfolk
• Locations to be announced by June 1st; check website for updates

The project calendar will no longer include a dropdown menu for project registration; you will now be redirected to YDAT, which requires a user profile. See below for more details!

We have provided a step-by-step guide to help you through this process (click here!).

Step 1. Visit https://ydat.org/site/HamptonRoads

Step 2. Log in with your existing credentials -OR- create a new account.

Step 3. Access your YDAT account and explore list of service projects.

Step 4. Register for a project by clicking the word "REGISTER" next to your project(s) of choice. Then scroll to the bottom and click the "REGISTER" button. You can register for multiple projects at once.

Step 5. You'll be directed to a confirmation screen with project details. Be sure to read all project information carefully. You will also receive a confirmation message to the email address associated with your YDAT account.

There is currently a TEST PROJECT (scheduled for July 1st) available for volunteers to test out their new YDAT account! IMPORTANT: This is not an actual project. However, we would like ALL YOUTH VOLUNTEERS to use this "fake project" to establish a real account in YDAT and then practice signing up for a project. All youth who register for the TEST PROJECT as of July 1st will be eligible to win a $50 Amazon gift card! Winner will be announced in the JULY NEWSLETTER.

NOTE: If you had a YDAT account previously, try to sign in with your old log-in information/email first. You may need to reset your password. If you cannot remember your old log-in information, please create a NEW PROFILE and then EMAIL programdirector@yvchr.org to let us know. We'll merge your accounts so that any completed service hours from past projects will be transferred to your new YDAT profile.

IMPORTANT: To create a new YDAT account, you will be sent an email with a link to continue registration. If you do NOT see this email at first, please be sure to check your SPAM folder! If you still do not see it, please reach out to programdirector@yvchr.org for assistance!

Upcoming Service Opportunities

Click the project links below for more information about each service opportunity. Some projects have special requirements/considerations, so please read carefully.

Check out the PROJECT CALENDAR on our website and be sure to sign up when new projects are posted! Volunteer spots go fast!

Ensure you receive timely informational emails by adding programdirector@yvchr.org to your contact safelist.

Click here for Safelist directions!

You can see our youth volunteers in action by following us

on Facebook and Instagram!

High school students and adults who would like to help local schools and nonprofit organizations (like YVCHR!), please consider signing up to volunteer at Community Knights Bingo. Proceeds from bingo are invested back into the Hampton Roads community!

NOTE: Community Knights will sign volunteer logs for those who need verification of service hours. This is not a YVCHR-facilitated activity, so a team leader from YVCHR will not be on-site.

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